LHD accomplishments/plans in support of fusion next-steps

The Large Helical Device is the world´s largest heliotron/stellarator as well as the largest superconducting fusion device. Its construction started in 1990, and the plasma experiments started in March 1998 as planned, owing to strongly supported by concentrated R&D activities for superconducting magnets, heating devices and diagnostics. In 15 years since the initial operation, considerable efforts have been devoted to technology R&D activities in the areas of cryogenic engineering, plasma-facing components, heating devices, and diagnostics. These efforts have contributed to the advancement of plasma parameters toward the target values. The obtained results as well as the experiences should contribute to ITER and the next fusion reactors.