Satellite-based QKD for Global Quantum Cryptographic Network Construction

Recently, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Cryptographic Technology development are in progress all over the world. In Japan as well, a wide range of QKD study and development is being conducted, including public offerings of research and development from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SJC), which has been engaged for more than 30 years in space industry, has been selected as the representative company of the consortium for executing the public offering from MIC in 2021, “Study and Development of Satellite-based QKD and Cryptographic Technology for Global Quantum Cryptographic Network Construction”, and plans to actively engage in research and development, especially for satellite-based QKD. The consortium to execute the project consists of National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), NEC Corporation, TOSHIBA CORPORATION and SJC, and they are actively engaged in many other projects related to QKD and Cryptographic Technology and have been contributing on Japanese QKD and Cryptographic Technology development.This paper introduces recent QKD development situation of several countries all over the world and of Japan. Then this paper describes the concepts and the requirements of MIC public offering, “Study and Development of Satellite-based QKD and Cryptographic Technology for Global Quantum Cryptographic Network Construction”, the role of the consortium to work on the project and their progress so far. In addition, this paper describes about the prospects for future business development of SJC, associated with satellite-based QKD.