Policy Affairs Manager

This role connects the company’s business strategy with government policy priorities to design and create public funding programs supporting the early realization of fusion energy. As part of the Public Affairs & Communications team, the role advances policy formation, public funding acquisition, and stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities include continuously monitoring major funding programs in Japan and overseas, including Japanese ministries, UK, US and EU institutions, and ITER-related organizations. The role analyzes their relevance to business strategy, anticipates budget cycles and policy changes, and provides regular information and strategic recommendations to internal decision-makers.

The position identifies unmet company needs and policy priorities, then leads the design and proposal of new funding schemes. Duties include preparing materials, participating in expert meetings and public comments, and working with industry organizations such as J-Fusion and academic institutions so that proposals are reflected in program design.

The role manages the full grant lifecycle, from identifying and prioritizing opportunities through proposal preparation and coordination with R&D, engineering, finance and legal teams, to post-award performance management, reporting, settlement and audit support. It also develops management systems and internal workflows.

Additional responsibilities include building relationships with policy representatives at relevant ministries and institutions; coordinating with global offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany; promoting industry-academic and research partnerships; and maximizing opportunities for international joint funding.

Working with the finance and governance team, the position ensures compliance with laws concerning grants, including the Act on Regulation of Execution of Budget Pertaining to Subsidies, contract conditions and export-control regulations. It helps establish governance for audits, educates project leads and finance personnel, and identifies and resolves compliance risks.

As a manager or prospective manager, the role establishes departmental operating policies with senior management, plans and executes work, manages people and develops staff. Required experience includes at least five years handling the full lifecycle of government subsidies or grants, including settlement and audits, and at least three years of organizational management and staff development. Candidates must understand Japanese government institutions and funding programs, lead cross-functional coordination, and be able to connect policy trends with business strategy. Advanced Japanese writing and presentation ability at native or equivalent level and business-level or higher English communication ability are required. Experience with Slack or Teams, Microsoft Office or Google applications, and hosting online meetings with Teams or Zoom is required; professional AI use is desirable. Experience in energy, space, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, international funding programs, policy planning, technical fields or consultant management is welcomed.

The position is based at the Tokyo headquarters in Ota, Tokyo. Work at a Tokyo satellite office in Marunouchi may be possible from June 2026. Remote work may be discussed for people living within commuting distance. Domestic and overseas transfers may be possible. Standard hours are 9:00 to 18:00, with a 12:00 to 13:00 break. Flextime may apply to prospective managers; managers classified under the Labor Standards Act may be exempt from working-hour, break and holiday provisions. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are days off, with at least 120 annual holidays. The position is offered as a permanent employee role, although contract employment may also be possible. Salary is JPY 9,000,000 to 12,000,000 per year. Benefits include social insurance, other welfare benefits, salary increases and special paid leave at joining.