On January 9, Singapore and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation, marking Singapore’s first quantum-specific MOC at the government-to-government level.
The MOC was signed by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, Singapore, and Ms Onoda Kimi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy on behalf of the Cabinet Office of Japan. The MOC covers the following:
- Closer collaboration between Singapore and Japan across eight key areas, comprising quantum research and innovation dialogue, academia-private sector interactions, education and talent exchange, security policy dialogue, standards and governance, shared research infrastructure, commercialisation and use case development, and private funding initiatives.
- Deeper cooperation on several joint initiatives, including cross border pilot and testbed project deployments, workforce development through research and shared access to research infrastructure.
- Closer collaboration between quantum technology providers, end-user enterprises, and start-ups through private investment platforms.
In addition to the MOC, Singapore start-up Entropica Labs and Japan start-up Yaqumo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner on the development of quantum computing hardware and software.
Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information said, “This Memorandum of Cooperation marks a significant milestone in the deep, longstanding partnership between Singapore and Japan. As we commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, we look forward to deeper cooperation in forward-looking areas like quantum technology. This is an emerging frontier that will redefine the future of computing, communications, and cybersecurity. By deepening our partnership, we aim to strengthen our quantum research capabilities, foster talent development, and position Singapore as a trusted hub for quantum innovation. This collaboration will create valuable opportunities for our researchers, businesses, and the broader innovation ecosystem as we strive to unlock the transformative potential of quantum technology.”
