Japan’s 200 million yen competition aims to find ways to use quantum computers to address societal challenges

Insider letter

• Japan’s NEDO has launched a quantum computing competition to solve societal challenges, offering 200 million yen ($1.3 million) in prizes.
• The competition is open to individuals and teams from all backgrounds and includes free quantum computing training to attract untapped talent. Participants will address issues such as natural disasters and aging populations. The final assessment is scheduled for August 2026.
• Japan is launching a nationwide quantum computing competition to address pressing societal issues, offering significant prize money to attract diverse talent.

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) recently announced the quantum computing initiative and pledged 200 million yen ($1.3 million) in awards for winning ideas. According to The Asahi Shimbun, participants will compete to apply quantum computing to challenges such as natural disasters and an aging population.

The competition, which begins in March 2025, is open to individuals and teams, including those with no prior quantum experience. Organizers hope to discover innovative thinkers from various fields and provide free training to participants unfamiliar with the technology.

“We hope that innovative approaches will come from experts from other fields and undiscovered talents who think outside the box,” a NEDO official said, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun.

Building bridges to solve big problems

Quantum computing, unlike traditional computers, uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations at exceptional speeds. This makes it particularly suitable for solving complex problems such as optimizing disaster relief or managing health systems for aging populations.

To ensure that the competition attracts ideas relevant to societal needs, NEDO invites public input on the specific topics that participants will address. These challenges will be finalized through an open call that closes on December 13th. The solutions are assessed based on their potential impact, creativity and feasibility.

The top participant in each challenge will receive a minimum of 20 million yen, with the possibility of higher rewards depending on the scope of the project. The final assessment will take place in August 2026.

With the aim of expanding quantum talent

The initiative also aims to address a growing problem in quantum computing: the lack of talent. NEDO encourages corporate researchers, International Mathematical Olympiad winners and others with strong analytical skills to participate, even if they lack quantum knowledge.

To support these participants, NEDO will offer free quantum computing courses to ensure participants understand the fundamentals of the technology. This approach underscores the agency’s belief that breakthroughs can come from unconventional sources.

Asahi Shimbun reported that NEDO emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that experts in fields such as mathematics, engineering and even the humanities could bring new perspectives to solving quantum problems.

A long-term vision for quantum

The competition is in line with Japan’s broader push to improve its quantum computing capabilities. By involving a wide range of participants, the competition could help stimulate innovation and increase public understanding of this transformative technology.

NEDO’s strategy reflects the growing global trend to integrate quantum computing into solving real-world problems. While quantum computing is still in its infancy, initiatives like these aim to accelerate its practical applications by harnessing untapped talent.

For those interested, further information is available on the official NEDO website. The deadline to apply for participation is December 13th, marking the first step in what organizers hope will be a groundbreaking collaboration.

According to The Asahi Shimbun, the competition represents a rare opportunity for both newcomers and experts to engage with one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century and potentially develop solutions to Japan’s most pressing societal problems.