Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Wednesday they have agreed to collaborate on basic nuclear power plant technologies.
The companies pointed out, however, that the partnership does not signify a future integration of their nuclear businesses.
The firms said they have agreed to cooperate in subordinate engineering technologies related to nuclear power plants, such as construction and maintenance of pipes and other auxiliary components.
The agreement does not cover core nuclear plant technologies such as those on reactors, they said.
Hitachi has a partnership with General Electric Co. on boiling water reactor technologies while Mitsubishi Heavy is collaborating with Westinghouse Electric Co. on pressurized water reactor technologies.
The firms said their existing business alliances with the U.S. companies will remain intact.
The agreement between the electronics maker and the heavy machinery manufacturer is aimed at "making the best of each company's technologies, facilities and other engineering resources," they said in a joint news release.
In addition to collaborating on subordinate technologies that are common to Hitachi's boiling water reactors and Mitsubishi Heavy's pressurized water reactors, the firms will also cooperate in developing an innovative reactor that is superior to existing light-water reactors in terms of safety and economical efficiency, they said.
The agreement does not include any intention to integrate the two companies' businesses, to form joint ventures or to license technologies, they said.