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UK-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation on quantum science and technology

Published 28 April 2025

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The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and The Cabinet Office of Japan (hereinafter referred to individually as “Side” and collectively as “Sides”);

The foregoing represents the recognitions reached between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Cabinet Office of Japan on the matters referred to therein.

The Sides have jointly decided to pursue cooperation in the following areas:

  • Dialogue on research and innovation: Promoting dialogue between the Sides within all levels from fundamental research to applied research and innovation through relevant research bodies and research hubs – to share best practices and identify future opportunities in academic research collaboration, including but not limited to quantum computing, networking, and sensing;

  • Interactions, academia/private sector, and funding opportunities: Facilitating interactions between academia and the private sector from both countries, e.g. by organising delegations to support the identification of possible avenues for collaboration;

  • Education, exchange, talent, and skills: Exploring educational initiatives and exchange opportunities, at research and apprentice levels to build the talent and skills base needed for the further development of the quantum ecosystems and the workforce;

  • Security policy dialogue: Recognising quantum technologies as emerging with implications for the societal resilience and national and economic security of both countries;

  • Standards and governance: Fostering regular bilateral and multilateral discussions on governance policy issues including growing a trusted international research community, collaboration for a responsible use of quantum technology, and standardisation;

  • Infrastructure, test-facilities, and missions: Considering opportunities for shared access to research infrastructure and test-facilities for the purpose of strengthening research in use case development, and technological demonstration, validation, and maturation;

  • Commercialisation, use cases, and scale up: Seeking to accelerate the commercialisation of quantum technologies by promoting promising innovations through use case development, demonstration projects, and similar initiatives aimed at advancing the development of practical market solutions; and

  • Private funding, industry, and institutional investors: Facilitating efforts to increase the level of private funding and investment in the quantum sector by engaging with industry consortia and venture capital funds.

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