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Paper short abstract

Quantum computing is a key domain in geopolitics. PM Takaichi defined it a “strategic technology.” This paper traces the development of Japan’s quantum strategy and argues that it exemplifies the persistence and adaptation of the developmental state model in an era of securitized technology policy.

Paper long abstract

Rather than merely being a matter of scientific prestige, advances in quantum technology are now regarded as “critical technologies” that will impact the global economic and military balance of power. The United States and China are investing heavily in quantum computing, thus defining it as a core strategic domain. In this quantum race, policymakers and scientists must address concerns about supply chain security, military applications, and open scientific exchange. As a key US security ally and Chinese trading partner located at the forefront of the Sino-US rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, Japan’s stakes are especially high. Despite its strong legacy of industrial policy and technological development, Japan’s position has weakened in the face of US dominance in cutting-edge technology and China’s state-driven technological ascent. This includes China’s control over rare earth minerals, which are essential to semiconductor supply chains. Against this backdrop, quantum computing is not just another high-tech sector; rather, it is a field in which Japan’s broader economic security strategy, as well as its norms and principles on military-related research, are being tested. Consequently, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru declared 2025 “the first year of quantum industrialization.” His successor, Takaichi Sanae, defined quantum technology as a “strategic technology” for economic security and growth.

In this paper, I trace the development of Japan’s quantum strategy back to the late 2010s. In doing so, I identify the key actors and critical junctures that defined its development and argue that Japan’s strategy exemplifies the persistence and adaptation of the developmental state model in an era of technology policy securitization. Facilitated by the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, this strategy promotes public-private partnerships in quantum computing-related R&D and international cooperation with the US and the EU. Unlike earlier projects, which primarily focused on industrial competitiveness and growth, Japan’s quantum strategy explicitly links technological development with national security amid competition over critical technologies to maintain strategic relevance.