The Embassy of Switzerland in Japan held a quantum-focused networking reception on November 14, 2023, the evening prior to the start of Quantum Innovation 2023, an international symposium launched by the Japanese government. Hosted by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan, Dr. Andreas Baum, the event brought together key quantum experts from various countries with high-level government officials, diplomats, and industry representatives from Japan.
The Japanese guests included Prof. Shigeo Koyasu, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Yasuyoshi Kakita, Director-General of MEXT’s Science and Technology Policy Bureau; and Prof. Yasunobu Nakamura, Vice Chair of the Quantum Technology Innovation Promotion Committee of Japan’s Quantum Technology Innovation Hubs, as well as Director of the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing.
The Swiss representation included Gregoire Ribordy, CEO of ID Quantique; Frederick Flöther, Lead Quantum and Deputy CEO at QuantumBasel; and Mathias Soeken, Senior Software Engineer (Quantum) at Microsoft. They were joined by further experts from the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Hungary, and Japan for this unique opportunity to exchange in a relaxed atmosphere ahead of the three-day symposium.
The reception was organized by the Science and Technology Office of the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, part of the Swissnex network and Swissnex’s Project Quantum, in collaboration with the organizing committee of Quantum Innovation 2023. It served as an opportunity to highlight the potential of quantum science and technology in addressing complex issues in fields such as climate change, food security, health, and beyond.
The international symposium Quantum Innovation is one of the Japanese government’s core efforts to foster the quantum ecosystem and talent pipelines, not only in Japan but also throughout the world. The 2023 edition was the third meeting and the first to be held in person. With similar objectives in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, Japan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in October 2023 to strengthen ties and open new opportunities for joint research and talent exchange in strategic fields, including quantum science and technology.
