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Quantum Innovation 2021 was held successfully

December 2021

The International Symposium on Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation 2021 (Quantum Innovation 2021) was held online on 7-9 December 2021. Quantum Innovation 2021 brought together a multi-disciplinary group of scientists and engineers for them to present and exchange breaking-through ideas related to quantum technologies. The topics of the meeting covered broad aspects of quantum technology including quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum cryptography and communication with a focus on the latest outstanding achievements in the field of quantum technology and its future trends and needs.
More than 1,000 people including more than 400 from abroad, comprised of scientists, engineers, young researchers, students, business delegates and government officials, participated in Quantum Innovation 2021.

Aims of Quantum Innovation 2021

*Addressing the state-of-the-art quantum technology
*Exploring cooperation on research, application, education and social awareness on quantum technology

Scope of Quantum Innovation 2021

*Highlights of the development of quantum technology,
- Quantum computing
- Quantum sensing
- Quantum Cryptography & Communication

* Development of Infrastructure for the progress of quantum technology
- Promotion of practical applications of quantum technology
- Development of human resources for quantum technology
- Promotion of international collaborations

Yasunobu Nakamura

General Chair, Quantum Innovation 2021
Organizing Committee

Takayuki Kobayashi

Minister of State for Science
and Technology Policy

Hideyuki Tanaka

State Minister of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology

Keitaro Ohno

Parliamentary Association
for Quantum Technology Promotion

Organizing Committee of 20 members, who are chaired by Yasunobu Nakamura (General Chair), Masahiro Kitagawa, Akinari Yokoya, and Masahide Sasaki (Track Chairs), designed the program to fully cover the latest developments of quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum cryptography and quantum communication, and appointed distinguished presenters from the world for Quantum Innovation 2021. They challenged to bring together researchers working on quantum technology and to offer a platform for discussions among them.
Quantum Innovation 2021 was sponsored by two Japanese Government Ministries, namely, Cabinet Office, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). RIKEN, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Osaka University, and Tokyo Institute of Technology also sponsored Quantum Innovation 2021. Symposium Supporters were Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, National Institute for Material Science (NIMS), and the University of Tokyo.
In the morning of 7 December, Opening and Plenary Talks of Plenary Sessions were delivered from Akasaka Intercity Conference in the center of Tokyo and shared online with the audience. After Welcome by Yasunobu Nakamura, General Chair, Quantum Innovation 2021 Organizing Committee, Takayuki Kobayashi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy and Hideyuki Tanaka, State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology stressed needs of developing quantum technology, and they also emphasized importance of plans and efforts of Japanese Government to advance quantum technology. Keitaro Ohno, Parliamentary Association for Quantum Technology Promotion made a congratulatory speech addressing strong support of the law makers for quantum technology promotion.
In Plenary Talks, Charles Tahan, Assistant Director for QIS and Director of the NQCO, OSTP, White House, presented the current status of US National Quantum Initiative. Makoto Gonokami, the University of Tokyo / Chair, Quantum Technology Committee, Government of Japan, presented about quantum technology innovation for Society 5.0. Taro Shimada, Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Toshiba Corporation, introduced the quantum business creation consortium, Q-STAR. Kohei Itoh, President, Keio University, talked about the quantum computer innovation in Japan.
In the afternoon, five keynote speeches covered wide range of quantum technologies of quantum communication, quantum error correction for quantum computing, optical lattice clocks, quantum technology on spins, and quantum internet.
On 8-9 December, Quantum Innovation 2021 hold three tracks, Quantum Computing Track, Quantum Sensing Track, and Quantum Cryptography & Communication Track, to focus on individual quantum technologies and to deepen understanding of the issues to be challenged. Panel discussions and Young Researchers Sessions were also held. Sessions in Quantum Sensing Track on 8 December were joint-programs with the 4th IFQMS (The 4th International Forum on Quantum Metrology and Sensing). Sessions CC-04 on 8 December and CC-05, CC-06 on 9 December in Quantum Cryptography & Communication Track were supported by SIP (cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation promotion Program).

(Honorific titles are omitted.)