Annual report of National Institute for Fusion Science. April 2005 - March 2006

This annual report summarizes the research activities at NIFS (the National Institute for Fusion Science) between April 2005 and March 2006. NIFS is pursuing the integration of science and technology to realize a fusion power plant. The systematization of plasma physics, and research and development of reactor relevant engineering are key elements in our strategy. NIFS has been exploiting its role as an inter-university research organization and executing a variety of excellent collaborating studies together with universities and research institutes abroad as well as in Japan. The main missions of NIFS are (1) the experimental study of toroidal plasma confinement using the Large Helical Device (LHD) and (2) theoretical research and computer simulations for study of the complex state and the nonlinear dynamics such as those seen in high temperature plasmas. These major projects are accompanied by unique supporting research. Advanced engineering and fusion reactor design studies are strongly promoted. (J.P.N.)