The governments of Japan and the Netherlands will strengthen their cooperation in areas such as the development of quantum technology, sources said.

Kimi Onoda, Japan's minister of state for science and technology policy, who is currently on a tour of Europe, is scheduled to meet with Heleen Herbert, the Dutch minister of economic affairs and climate, in The Hague on Friday, and the two are expected to sign a memorandum on future bilateral cooperation.

The Netherlands is known as a leading nation in the field of quantum technology and has set up an industry-academia collaboration hub to advance the development of next-generation quantum computers, among other projects. It has an established cooperative relationship with Japan, with Dutch universities and research institutions conducting joint research with Japanese companies such as Fujitsu Ltd. and IHI Corp.

Quantum technology is considered crucial also for national security because it includes subfields like quantum cryptography, involving the creation of codes which are theoretically unbreakable. The two governments have therefore decided to further strengthen their collaboration.

The memorandum is expected to include provisions such as promoting research exchanges; fostering talent to support quantum technology and related industries; cooperating on the international standardization of technology; sharing research facilities; and exchanging views on applications of the technology in the field of national security.

The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has designated quantum technology as one of the "17 strategic fields" prioritized in its growth strategy and is working to strengthen ties with like-minded nations, such as the United States, to advance its commercialization. Going forward, Japan will also explore possibilities such as the establishment of joint research projects with the Netherlands to accelerate cooperation.

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This article is from The Yomiuri Shimbun. Neither Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch, Barron's nor The Wall Street Journal were involved in the creation of this content.

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