According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Japanese government is seeking to support the development of domestically produced ‘unbreakable’ quantum encryption technology by 2030, enlisting potential partners including Toshiba and NEC to defend against next-generation cyberattacks. The programme aims to enhance Japan’s cybersecurity capabilities and ensure that vital information can be effectively protected from theft in the digital environment of the future. By partnering with these technology leaders, Japan hopes to gain a foothold in the international competition for quantum technology.
According to the latest report, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will provide assistance to selected quantum encryption developers that will work on forward-looking quantum encryption solutions. Plans include tens of billions of yen in public and private investment over a five-year period starting in fiscal year 2025, with applications expected to begin as early as next year. This initiative not only reflects Japan’s emphasis on cybersecurity, but also shows the government’s support for technological innovation, hoping to accelerate the landing and application of quantum encryption technology through the double guarantee of funding and policy.
The urgency of strengthening cybersecurity
Japanese and other cybersecurity authorities are scrambling to prepare for the emergence of quantum computers, which are expected to be in practical use by 2030. Experts say they are much faster than today’s supercomputers and will be able to break all the encryption currently used to protect data on the Internet. This prospect has led countries around the world to step up research and development, especially in key areas of national security such as finance, healthcare and defence. As Mikio Fujiwara, director of the Quantum Research Centre at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), points out, it is vital to protect data using self-developed technologies to ensure that sensitive information is protected from external threats.
Quantum encryption involves transmitting encrypted data through fibre optic cables by converting keys into photons. Breaking the encryption is theoretically impossible, as any attempt to steal data from the key changes the state of the photons and warns the system. This unique property makes quantum encryption an important means of future cyber security against the potential risks posed by quantum computers.The NICT, which is overseen by the Home Office, will be evaluating the quantum encryption methodology on a test network to ensure its technical feasibility and security.
NICT launched the network in Tokyo at the end of 2023, aiming to connect government organisations, financial groups and telecommunication companies in Japan’s capital city to create a more secure communications environment. The establishment of this network not only provides a platform for the practical application of quantum cryptography, but also creates opportunities for cooperation and exchange between all parties. Next year, NICT will recruit companies to participate in the government’s quantum encryption R&D programme to further promote the innovation and practical application of the technology.
Talent cultivation and international competition
Tomoyuki Horikiri, a professor at Yokohama National University, pointed out that Japan must continue to cultivate human resources in the field of quantum communications to cope with future developments. In order to maintain competitiveness in this rapidly evolving technological field, it is particularly important to cultivate high-level researchers and technologists. This is not only a matter of the country’s scientific and technological strength, but also affects the long-term development and security of the economy.
According to a report prepared by the Japanese Cabinet’s Quantum Technology Innovation Group in April, Japanese companies have world-class technology in terms of key generation speed and transmission distance. However, other countries are currently leading the way in research into the practical applications of quantum encryption, especially in the construction and deployment of quantum communication networks. Using existing technology, encrypted data and keys can only be transmitted over a few hundred kilometres, and longer distances require ensuring stable conditions throughout the line to avoid data loss or leakage. Currently, China has built a secure quantum communications network that is thousands of kilometres long and has successfully conducted satellite quantum communications experiments connecting major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, demonstrating its leadership in quantum communications.
It is worth mentioning that the European Union and Singapore are also pushing ahead with plans to build encrypted communication networks, which further reflects the global emphasis on and investment in quantum encryption technology. In this rapidly developing field, competition between countries is becoming increasingly fierce, and whoever masters the core technology in the future will have an advantage on the international stage. Therefore, Japan’s investment and research in quantum cryptography will be an important part of its future cybersecurity strategy.