In a breakthrough summit held in Tokyo, President Trump and the newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Koso Sanae reached several important agreements signaling a new era of alliance between the two nations. Not only did they announce that their alliance has entered a “new golden age,” but they also agreed to collaborate on strengthening critical mineral supply chains. Furthermore, they signed a memorandum of understanding with profound strategic significance, shifting the focus of bilateral cooperation towards key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum science.
The Technology Prosperity Deal memorandum released by the White House on Tuesday highlighted the strategic implication of cutting-edge technology for the future prosperity of both countries. Deepening technological connections with strategic partners is also seen as a crucial means to enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The memorandum, co-signed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Japanese Cabinet Office Minister in charge of science and technology policy, emphasized the potential for the US and Japan to usher in the next innovative golden age and solidify freedom and prosperity for future generations through enhanced cooperation in critical technologies and practical areas to achieve technological leadership on the global stage.
This signifies a shift in the US-Japan alliance from traditional security and trade relationships towards a cooperative framework focused on future technological competition. The collaboration will concentrate on the following seven key areas:
1. Advancing full-stack cooperation from basic research to industrial applications, including high-performance computing, leading semiconductor and quantum computing infrastructure, and promoting a US-Japan-led AI policy framework and technology exports.
2. Cooperation on strengthening supply chain resilience, coordinating AI development guidelines, and jointly establishing AI industry standards while addressing children’s digital welfare and future workplace education to construct a secure and trusted AI ecosystem.
3. Recognizing the importance of protecting critical emerging technologies and researchers, both sides will deepen research security cooperation, support universities, research institutions, and industries, share best practices with allies, collectively identify and mitigate threats faced by research enterprises, and establish a trusted global innovation ecosystem.
4. Enhancing telecommunications innovation and supply chain resilience by promoting collaborative research on Open RAN, AI-RAN, all-photon and quantum networks through cooperation between the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. This includes participation in international standard setting and accelerating the commercialization of trusted technologies. Japan’s pivotal role as a hub connecting North America and Asia will further expand cooperation on Indo-Pacific submarine cables.
5. Expediting the identification and remediation of vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chains involving academia, government, and industry to protect intellectual property and innovation ecosystems, ensuring economic resilience and public health safety.
6. Recognizing the limitless possibilities of quantum technology, both parties will evaluate quantum performance, develop algorithms, overcome real-world challenges, and cultivate the next generation of scientists through cutting-edge quantum mechanisms and national laboratories while ensuring the security of technology and supply chains to construct a trustworthy environment for quantum technology development.
7. In the field of nuclear fusion, the cooperation will focus on constructing a world-class industry ecosystem concentrating on magnets, fuel cycles, materials, and neutron science, leveraging the JT-60SA facility to drive commercialization.
8. In the realm of space, both nations will continue their cooperation on the International Space Station and the Artemis moon mission to promote commercial space development, enhance space situational awareness globally, and address orbital debris risks.
This memorandum does not involve financial commitments, and cooperation will be carried out in accordance with respective domestic laws. However, it still portrays the shared vision of the US and Japan for leadership in trusted technology.
Through standard setting, industry collaboration, and international coordination, the two parties seek not only to pursue their own prosperity but also to shape global technology regulations, laying a foundation for a secure, innovative, and sustainable future for the next generation.