Joint Research Agreement Concluded on Long-Distance Quantum Key Distribution System Using Quantum Repeater Technology
LQUOM, located in KBIC operated by Tsukulie, and Toshiba have signed a joint research agreement on a long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system using quantum repeater technology. The aim is to build next-generation information infrastructure for the realization of the quantum internet.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 13:27 (483h 11m after Collected)
LQUOM Corporation (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director: Kazuya Niiseki; hereinafter "LQUOM"), which is located in the Kawasaki-Shinkawasaki Innovation Center (KBIC), an open innovation hub for technology startups in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, operated by Tsukulie Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hideki Suzuki; hereinafter "Tsukulie") as a joint venture, has concluded a joint research agreement with Toshiba Corporation (Headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Taro Shimada; hereinafter "Toshiba") to explore the long-distance capabilities of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as part of building a mid-to-long-term technology foundation and ecosystem for the realization of the quantum internet. This joint research will combine quantum repeater systems and quantum key distribution systems, which are expected to be future network infrastructure technologies in quantum communication, to examine the technical challenges and feasibility of extending the range of next-generation QKD.
QKD is attracting attention as a technology that realizes secure encrypted communication that cannot be deciphered even with quantum computers, by utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics. Currently, efforts towards social implementation are actively underway, including demonstrations in fields such as finance, medicine, energy, and inter-data center communication. On the other hand, technical challenges remain for further long-distance, high-speed, and large-scale networking.
Quantum repeaters are a key enabling technology that allows long-distance transmission without compromising quantum states, and are indispensable for extending the range of quantum communication, including QKD. Their establishment is expected as a foundational technology for future quantum networks.
This joint research will be conducted from March 2026 to March 2027. It will examine the optimal combination for realizing long-distance quantum key distribution, considering performance and implementation aspects from various existing QKD methods and quantum repeater methods. Toshiba will primarily focus on QKD method studies, while LQUOM will primarily focus on quantum repeater system studies.
Both companies aim to utilize the knowledge gained from this joint research in the R&D of quantum communication fields, including quantum key distribution and the quantum internet, to realize a safe and secure next-generation information infrastructure.
Figure: Long-distance quantum key distribution by quantum repeater system
About Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba has been conducting R&D on QKD since 1999, achieving numerous R&D results in key distribution speed and communication distance [1,2]. In 2020, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation started its QKD business [3]. In parallel with advanced technology R&D, it conducts various demonstrations and PoCs. It also promotes fundamental research for the realization of future quantum networks and the quantum internet, such as quantum entangled light sources and quantum repeaters [4]. Aiming to accelerate the social implementation of technology through ecosystem formation, Toshiba invested in LQUOM through its Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in 2023.
QKD is attracting attention as a technology that realizes secure encrypted communication that cannot be deciphered even with quantum computers, by utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics. Currently, efforts towards social implementation are actively underway, including demonstrations in fields such as finance, medicine, energy, and inter-data center communication. On the other hand, technical challenges remain for further long-distance, high-speed, and large-scale networking.
Quantum repeaters are a key enabling technology that allows long-distance transmission without compromising quantum states, and are indispensable for extending the range of quantum communication, including QKD. Their establishment is expected as a foundational technology for future quantum networks.
This joint research will be conducted from March 2026 to March 2027. It will examine the optimal combination for realizing long-distance quantum key distribution, considering performance and implementation aspects from various existing QKD methods and quantum repeater methods. Toshiba will primarily focus on QKD method studies, while LQUOM will primarily focus on quantum repeater system studies.
Both companies aim to utilize the knowledge gained from this joint research in the R&D of quantum communication fields, including quantum key distribution and the quantum internet, to realize a safe and secure next-generation information infrastructure.
Figure: Long-distance quantum key distribution by quantum repeater system
About Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba has been conducting R&D on QKD since 1999, achieving numerous R&D results in key distribution speed and communication distance [1,2]. In 2020, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation started its QKD business [3]. In parallel with advanced technology R&D, it conducts various demonstrations and PoCs. It also promotes fundamental research for the realization of future quantum networks and the quantum internet, such as quantum entangled light sources and quantum repeaters [4]. Aiming to accelerate the social implementation of technology through ecosystem formation, Toshiba invested in LQUOM through its Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in 2023.