SUMMARY

There are extensive efforts in Japan aimed at the development of low T_c superconductors tailored to each of several large projects, such as Super-GM and ITER. These are primarily sponsored by the Japanese government, although the associated industrial contribution (e.g., cost sharing) toward the development of conductors is thought to be even greater than the government's contribution. One key to Japan's continued development of low T_c conductors is the fact that the Japanese government has continued to fund large construction projects involving the applications of superconductors. Each of these projects requires development of improved conductors, and in turn, the manufacturers of the wires can maintain the experienced staff to sustain the R&D on superconducting wires. It will be very interesting to observe whether Japan will continue to work on low T_c superconductors when some of the high T_c superconductors are getting to the stage at which utility applications of these conductors may become realistic in the relatively near future.