New UK–Japan research partnerships are set to deliver practical, real world benefits from advances in quantum technology and future digital connectivity.
Key tangible benefits include:
- Faster drug discovery using the processing power of quantum computing, helping researchers analyse complex molecules more quickly.
- Improved medical diagnostics, enabled by ultra sensitive quantum sensors capable of detecting tiny biological changes.
- Navigation systems that work without GPS, improving resilience for transport, defence and emergency services.
- More accurate environmental and infrastructure monitoring, supporting climate research and safer critical systems.
- Ultra secure communications, using quantum technologies to protect data from cyber threats.
- More resilient digital networks, designed to keep people connected during cyber attacks, system failures or natural disasters.
These benefits are being driven by a major joint investment between the United Kingdom and Japan, announced during the UK Prime Minister’s visit to Japan. At the centre of the collaboration are three new quantum research projects, jointly funded by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Japan’s Science and Technology Agency.
The projects launched in January 2026 and will run for five years, bringing together leading researchers from both countries. UK Research and Innovation is investing £4.5 million, while Japan is contributing just over ¥1.1 billion, equivalent to around £5.2 million.
The research focuses on three core areas:
- Scalable semiconductor quantum dot technologies, which could underpin future quantum computers.
- Distributed and secure quantum computing, helping to lay the foundations for a future quantum internet.
- Advanced quantum control and sensing, improving precision across healthcare, navigation and monitoring applications.
Alongside the quantum work, the UK and Japan are also committing £6 million to future connectivity research, exploring how next generation digital networks can remain seamless, secure and resilient under pressure.
Together, the partnerships strengthen long standing UK–Japan science ties and place both countries at the forefront of technologies set to shape future economies and everyday life.
