Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR) Formed in Japan

We reported in June that several companies in Japan were in the process of establishing a new council to encourage the development of quantum technology in Japan and strengthen international competitiveness. They have now formally established a council with the name Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR). The current membership consists of 24 companies with an inaugural steering committee consisting of executives from Toshiba, Toyota, NEC, NTT, Hitachi, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi Chemical. The group held their first general meeting on September 1, 2021.

Key goals of this new group include the following:

1. Investigate and research trends in quantum technology

2. Investigate, research, and propose industrial applications of quantum technology

3. Investigate and examine quantum-related technologies

4. Investigate, plan, and make proposal for required human resources

5. Investigate and examine systems and rules

6. Collaborate with quantum-related organizations in Japan and overseas

7. Others activities including raising public awareness, making policy recommendations, etc.

The group will initially subcommittees to explore areas of interest. The first four that have been identified include:

1. Subcommittee on Quantum Wave and Quantum Probability Theory Applications

2. Subcommittee on Quantum Superposition Applications

3. Subcommittee on Optimization and Combinatorial Problems

4. Subcommittee on Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Communications

Additional information about Q-Star can be found in a news release posted on the Fujitsu website and can be found here.

September 3, 2021