Insider Brief
- Japan’s Q-STAR and the UK’s UKQuantum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between their national quantum industries.
- The agreement focuses on advancing commercialization, coordinating policy development, and supporting international R&D and industry exchanges.
- Both organizations will jointly promote global engagement through events, advocacy, and cooperation with government partners including the British Embassy in Tokyo.
The Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR) and UKQuantum have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and strengthen ties between the UK and Japanese quantum technology industries. This agreement marks a significant milestone in fostering international cooperation in the rapidly advancing field of quantum science and technology.
Q-STAR, Japan’s leading quantum industry association, and UKQuantum, the primary industry association representing the UK’s quantum sector, welcome the Memorandum of Cooperation on quantum science and technology between The Cabinet Office of Japan and The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom and Japan are both leaders in quantum science and technology and the agreement recognises the extensive collaboration between academia, industry and government.
Under this MoU, Q-STAR and UKQuantum will work together to advance the commercialization and global adoption of quantum technologies. The collaboration will focus on key strategic areas, including:
- Industry and Research Exchange: Promoting engagement between quantum organizations, including startups, large enterprises, investors, and academic institutions in both countries.
- Policy and Advocacy Alignment: Coordinating joint efforts in policy development to support the growth of the quantum ecosystem.
- International Collaboration: Enhancing the presence of both Q-STAR and UKQuantum within global quantum technology forums, facilitating joint participation in international research and development initiatives.
- Joint Events and Awareness Campaigns: Organizing industry-focused events, workshops, and networking opportunities to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration between UK and Japanese stakeholders.
Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director of UKQuantum, commented: “The UK and Japan are at the forefront of quantum technology innovation. This MoU with Q-STAR represents an important step towards deepening international cooperation, building on the strong cooperation between our governments and ensuring that our quantum industries remain competitive and globally connected.”
Taro Shimada, Chair of the Board of Q-STAR emphasized the importance of global partnerships in advancing quantum science. “This agreement with UKQuantum underscores our shared commitment to building a strong, open, and collaborative quantum ecosystem. By working together, we can accelerate the development and deployment of quantum technologies for economic and societal benefit.”
Both organizations are coordinating with government entities, including the British Embassy in Tokyo, to maximize the impact of this partnership.
Q-STAR (Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution) was established in Japan in September 2021 to create new industries and business opportunities based on quantum technology. Now Q-STAR has 112 members. Its members come from various business sectors, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and academic institutions. Q-STAR is determined to proactively collaborate with organizations in diverse fields globally, transcending industry and corporate boundaries, to develop the quantum technology-related business of the future.
About UKQuantum
UKQuantum is the voice of the UK’s quantum industry. Its mission is to champion the industry within government and internationally, and to promote the adoption of quantum technologies across the UK economy. Founded in 2022, UKQuantum has approximately 60 members including startups, SMEs, large corporations and research organisations spanning the global quantum technology industry.