The United States and Japan have announced a $40 billion project to build small nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, following talks between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Washington.
The agreement centers on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), part of a broader strategy to expand clean and stable energy sources while strengthening technological cooperation between the two countries.
A joint statement also outlined an additional $33 billion investment in natural gas power plants in Pennsylvania and Texas, as part of a wider energy partnership.
The announcement follows Tokyo’s earlier commitment to invest $550 billion in the US by 2029 under a new bilateral trade framework.
Both sides emphasized that the projects aim to enhance energy security and accelerate economic growth, describing the initiative as a step toward a new phase in the US-Japan alliance.
The SMRs will be developed by GE Vernova Hitachi, with officials highlighting their role as a next-generation energy source capable of stabilizing electricity prices and reinforcing US and Japanese leadership in global technology competition.
In addition to energy cooperation, the two countries unveiled a joint plan to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals, amid concerns over China’s dominance in the sector.
The White House also confirmed collaboration on deep-sea mineral exploration, including rare earth-rich mud deposits near Japan’s Minamitorishima island, located about 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo.
The move reflects growing efforts by both nations to secure access to strategic resources and reduce reliance on global supply chains controlled by geopolitical rivals.
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