EU and Japan Formalize Quantum Technology Partnership

2025-05-20 semicon

Amsterdam, Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
The European Union and Japan have signed a historic agreement to advance quantum technology collaboration, with a focus on quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing integration.

Strategic Partnership Details

On May 13, 2025, in Tokyo, EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Minoru Kiuchi formalized this groundbreaking collaboration through a Letter of Intent [1][2]. The agreement establishes comprehensive frameworks for joint research funding, collaborative project development, and synchronized proposal evaluations, while ensuring robust intellectual property protection and cross-border data security protocols [2].

Q-NEKO Project Launch

A flagship initiative under this partnership is the Q-NEKO project, which has secured €4 million in EU funding [1]. This collaborative venture brings together 16 European and Japanese partners, focusing on advancing quantum hardware, software development, and creating hybrid environments that integrate high-performance computing with quantum computing capabilities [1][2]. The project’s practical applications span critical areas including biomedical research, materials science, and quantum-enhanced machine learning for climate modeling [1].

Broader Technology Ecosystem

This quantum partnership builds upon the EU-Japan Digital Partnership established in May 2022 [1]. The collaboration extends beyond quantum computing to include crucial infrastructure developments, notably a pioneering Arctic submarine cable connection between Europe and Japan [2][5]. This initiative represents a strategic move to enhance digital sovereignty and secure data flows between the two regions [5].

Future Implications and Timeline

The urgency of this partnership is underscored by expert assessments that quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption could emerge within 5 to 15 years [7]. The collaboration operates through two primary funding channels: the EU Horizon Europe research program and Japan’s Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation program [2]. The partnership’s progress will be reviewed at the fourth Digital Partnership Council, scheduled for 2026 in Brussels [5], demonstrating both parties’ commitment to long-term technological advancement and security cooperation.

Bronnen

quantum EU cooperation