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20 August, 2025
Toshiba Corporation

Launch of a Japan’s MIC-Commissioned R&D Project Toward Early Social Implementation of Quantum Cryptography Communication

-Aiming to accelerate social implementation through advancement and enhancement of quantum key distribution technology and integration with communication infrastructure-

Kawasaki, Japan — A joint research proposal by six organizations *1, including Toshiba Corporation (hereinafter “Toshiba”), has been selected *2 for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ FY2025 commissioned R&D Project “Research and development for early social implementation of quantum cryptography communication networks”. Research and development will begin sequentially.

Quantum cryptography is a communication technology that employs cryptographic key sharing based on the principles of quantum mechanics (quantum key distribution, QKD), which makes eavesdropping impossible. It is the subject of active research and development around the world.

To date, Toshiba has worked toward establishing quantum cryptography communication technology in collaboration with Toshiba Europe Limited, a group company, and other partners. The company has achieved world-leading research outcomes such as realizing the world’s fastest key distribution rate *3, proposing and conducting the world’s first field demonstration of the long-distance “Twin-Field QKD” protocol *4, *5, and developing network control and high-speed quantum key distribution technologies for global-scale quantum cryptography communication *6. Toshiba has also advanced multiplexing in optical data communication *7. In addition, the company has conducted demonstrations in diverse domains such as genomic medicine *8 and finance *9.

In this commissioned research, the six organizations will collaborate on three themes to achieve early social implementation of quantum key distribution networks: (1) advancement of quantum key distribution technology, (2) advancement of key management technology in quantum key distribution networks, and (3) enhancement and integrated demonstration of quantum cryptography communication networks.

As the representative research organization, Toshiba will consolidate the R&D outcomes of all six organizations. The company will also participate in all three of the above research themes. In cooperation with the other participants, Toshiba will work on accelerating key distribution speeds through integration and wavelength-division multiplexing using chip technology. It will also expand and strengthen functionality using Twin-Field QKD. The company will further establish high-speed quantum random number generation technology, with randomness guaranteed by physical laws. It will also advance key management interfaces in quantum key distribution networks, including advanced key relay and integration with network management systems. Moreover, Toshiba will establish overlay and integrated architectures for all-optical networks, together with management and control integration. Finally, the company will conduct integrated demonstrations of these technologies.

Through this research and development, Toshiba will realize advanced and enhanced quantum cryptography communication technology and integration with communication infrastructure. The company aims to further strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness in quantum cryptography communication, accelerate social implementation of quantum key distribution networks, and promote practical application across a wide range of use cases to help build a safe and secure information society.