U.S. President Trump (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi [AP·Yonhap News]

The United States and Japan have reached an agreement on their respective roles as they pursue new nuclear power plant projects, Reuters reported on the 15th (local time).

According to the report, Dan Lipman, president of U.S. nuclear power company Westinghouse, stated in a recent interview in Tokyo that both countries have agreed on how to utilize Japan's supply chain and that they are currently discussing new nuclear power plant projects involving his company and Japanese nuclear equipment manufacturers.

Reuters suggested that this project is likely part of the $550 billion (approximately 823 trillion won) investment plan in the U.S. that Japan pledged when it concluded tariff negotiations with the U.S. last year.

Lipman emphasized the project's significant strategic importance but noted that the main details of the project have not yet been finalized, and he declined to disclose specifics, such as the names of the Japanese partner companies expected to participate.

A fact sheet released after U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan in October last year and his summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated that Westinghouse would consider a project to build light water reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) with investments of up to $100 billion (approximately 150 trillion won).

Reuters added that as the Middle East oil supply chain is disrupted and oil prices surge due to the recent conflict in Iran, major countries worldwide are showing increased interest in nuclear power as a measure against energy risks.