Japanese businesses and research institutes have set up an organization to promote the development of quantum technology.
Quantum ICT Forum was founded by 19 businesses and 16 research institutes. They include major electronics companies, universities, and state-owned research organizations.
Quanta include photons and other subatomic particles. Researchers hope to create new information and telecommunication technologies by using the unique properties of such particles.
Quantum computers are far faster than supercomputers, and quantum cryptography cannot be deciphered.
The United States and China are among the countries that are racing to develop quantum technologies.
The forum will provide opportunities for companies to share the latest research. It will also draw up strategies to set global standards for the technology.
Hokkaido University Professor Akihisa Tomita is the head of the new forum. He says Japan has taken the lead in basic research on quantum technology, but if a country is five years behind in research and development, it will never be able to catch up.
He says the forum will help the government, industries and academia to share information and strategies to increase Japan’s competitiveness in this area.
