Nuclear fission and fusion Research and Development continues to account for nearly half of the total spending by IEA countries, although the proportion of total Research and Development devoted to this area has declined over the years, with the nuclear reactor systems spending peak having been reached in 1982.
Since then, most countries have cut back their efforts in nuclear technologies substantially. Japan is the exception, and it now accounts for the majority of the public expenditures in this area, as nearly 70% of the Japanese government’s ER&D is directed toward nuclear technologies.
