NEC トレード・サービスソリューション統括部November 18, 2024.
NEC Corporation.
NEC (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Takayuki Morita, hereinafter referred to as 'NEC') has successfully conducted a demonstration experiment with tokens utilizing quantum technology (*1 hereinafter referred to as 'quantum tokens') in collaboration with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Kenichi Hori, hereinafter referred to as 'Mitsui') and Quantinuum, a global quantum computing enterprise (CEO: Rajeeb Hazra, hereinafter referred to as 'Quantinuum').
NEC provided a platform to realize a quantum token system using a QKD system (*2 for quantum encrypted communication) for quantum token for Mitsui and Quantinuum. Quantinuum, leveraging the principles of quantum physics, had been working on the practical application of unforgeable quantum tokens based on basic patents. Although the theoretical principles of quantum tokens had been proven, this time, using NEC's quantum tokens, combined with a QKD system tailored for quantum token and a 10km optical fiber, a world-first demonstration experiment was conducted in a commercial environment for issuing and redeeming quantum tokens, confirming the possibility of token issuance and redemption as theoretically predicted.
Compared to tokens using conventional communication technologies, quantum tokens have the feature of being unforgeable and immediately redeemable. They can be applied to various fields such as high-speed trading, commodity trading in the financial sector, as well as data recovery and authentication. The quantum encrypted communication using the QKD system utilized in this demonstration experiment is expected to become an infrastructure that cannot be deciphered by quantum computers, opening up the possibility for quantum tokens to be used on such infrastructure. Through this achievement, NEC will continue to work towards the social implementation of quantum cryptography technology.
This announcement includes some of the results of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' research and development project on 'Research and Development for Building a Global Quantum Cryptographic Communication Network (JPJ008957)' under the 'ICT Priority Technologies Research and Development Project (JPMI00316)', as well as the achievements implemented by the Cabinet Office's Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) project 'Realization Technology for Society 5.0 utilizing Light and Quantum'.
above
- *1:Token: Digital proof showing specific rights or values such as digital assets, user information, access rights, etc.
- *2:Quantum encrypted communications: Encryption methods such as RSA currently in use are at risk of being decrypted by future quantum computers, prompting the development of communication methods utilizing the physical impossibility of eavesdropping through quantum properties. Quantum encrypted communications utilize these quantum properties for encryption.
- *3:Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems ensure secure communication between two parties by sharing random secret keys using quantum mechanics, enabling the encryption and decryption of information. (Patent granted as of November 18, 2024)
- Tweet
- Share
Contact for inquiries regarding this matter.
NEC Trade Service Solution Division
E-Mail: press_tradeservice@tssd.jp.nec.com
NEC aims to create social value through safety, security, fairness, and efficiency.
NEC aims to achieve a sustainable society where everyone can fully demonstrate their humanity.
