Research
Research
NICT aims to promote the social implementation of research outcomes and realize a future society through research in the Five priority R&D areas, Four strategic fields, and Foundational R&D for innovation, as well as through the functions of the “Innovation Hub,” which connects NICT with external organizations.
Beyond human intelligence, co-create new standards for future society.
Four strategic fields Technology fields to Be Advanced Strategically
We accelerate innovation by strategically promoting technologies that support Japan’s key policies across domains, serving as a central nexus that links R&D with social implementation.
AI・Communication
Through the R&D of technologies of AI complexes and a platform that dynamically evaluates LLMs, we promote the development and utilization of trustworthy AI in Japan.
Beyond 5G
To realize and globally expand Beyond 5G, NICT functions as an innovation hub, promoting strategic R&D aimed at creating use cases and enabling early social implementation.
Quantum ICT
We support the creation of use cases for the early social implementation of quantum cryptography, and conduct fundamental and foundational R&D in quantum information and communication toward achieving a global quantum-secure network.
Cybersecurity
As Japan’s core center for cybersecurity R&D, we actively disseminate research outcomes and contribute to building an ecosystem of human resources and technologies that underpin Japan’s cyber resilience.
Through the R&D of technologies of AI complexes and a platform that dynamically evaluates LLMs, we promote the development and utilization of trustworthy AI in Japan.
Beyond 5G
To realize and globally expand Beyond 5G, NICT functions as an innovation hub, promoting strategic R&D aimed at creating use cases and enabling early social implementation.
Quantum ICT
We support the creation of use cases for the early social implementation of quantum cryptography, and conduct fundamental and foundational R&D in quantum information and communication toward achieving a global quantum-secure network.
Cybersecurity
As Japan’s core center for cybersecurity R&D, we actively disseminate research outcomes and contribute to building an ecosystem of human resources and technologies that underpin Japan’s cyber resilience.
Five priority R&D areas Fundamental and Foundational R&D to Be Promoted as Priorities
We advance R&D that secures a robust, safe, and reliable communication environment, contributing to a sustainable society that supports GX/DX and to the creation of new value.
Advanced electromagnetic technology
Through R&D and public services related to electromagnetic waves such as radio waves and light, we promote the realization of a safe, secure, and reliable social infrastructure by accurately capturing changes in society and nature.
Remote Sensing Technology / Space Environment Technology / Electromagnetic Compatibility Technology / Space-Time Standards Technology / Digital-Optics Technology
Innovative networks
To achieve high-speed and reliable transmission across terrestrial and space environments, we conduct R&D on network infrastructure technologies that provide sustainable, resilient, safe, and comfortable communications.
Network architecture technologies / Photonic Network Technology / Optical and Radio Convergence Technology / Next-Generation Wireless Technology / Space Communications Fundamental Technology
Cybersecurity
To protect social systems and citizens from cyber threats, we conduct fundamental and foundational cybersecurity R&D and promote the dissemination and social implementation of research results.
Cybersecurity technologies / AI × cybersecurity technologies / Next-generation cryptography and privacy protection technologies / Cybersecurity trainings / Promotion of industry–academia–government collaboration / Promotion of cybersecurity measures for IoT devices
Universal communication
We aim to address social issues and create new value through the safe and secure use of AI enabled by both the R&D and the social implementation of technologies for AI complexes and multimodal AI communication.
AI complex technologies / Multimodal AI communication technologies
Frontier science
Through R&D on advanced foundational technologies that lead to disruptive innovation in next-generation ICT, we contribute to forming new concepts and frameworks that underpin the ICT of future society.
Advanced ICT foundational technologies / Frontier ICT technologies / Bio-inclusive ICT platform technologies / Brain–ICT interface technologies
Through R&D and public services related to electromagnetic waves such as radio waves and light, we promote the realization of a safe, secure, and reliable social infrastructure by accurately capturing changes in society and nature.
Remote Sensing Technology / Space Environment Technology / Electromagnetic Compatibility Technology / Space-Time Standards Technology / Digital-Optics Technology
Innovative networks
To achieve high-speed and reliable transmission across terrestrial and space environments, we conduct R&D on network infrastructure technologies that provide sustainable, resilient, safe, and comfortable communications.
Network architecture technologies / Photonic Network Technology / Optical and Radio Convergence Technology / Next-Generation Wireless Technology / Space Communications Fundamental Technology
Cybersecurity
To protect social systems and citizens from cyber threats, we conduct fundamental and foundational cybersecurity R&D and promote the dissemination and social implementation of research results.
Cybersecurity technologies / AI × cybersecurity technologies / Next-generation cryptography and privacy protection technologies / Cybersecurity trainings / Promotion of industry–academia–government collaboration / Promotion of cybersecurity measures for IoT devices
Universal communication
We aim to address social issues and create new value through the safe and secure use of AI enabled by both the R&D and the social implementation of technologies for AI complexes and multimodal AI communication.
AI complex technologies / Multimodal AI communication technologies
Frontier science
Through R&D on advanced foundational technologies that lead to disruptive innovation in next-generation ICT, we contribute to forming new concepts and frameworks that underpin the ICT of future society.
Advanced ICT foundational technologies / Frontier ICT technologies / Bio-inclusive ICT platform technologies / Brain–ICT interface technologies
Innovation Foundations Foundational R&D Themes Supporting Innovation
We promote critical R&D that integrates foundational ICT technologies across domains to accelerate innovation in Japan.
Resilient ICT foundational technologies / Beyond 5G architecture technologies / Terahertz-wave ICT platform technologies / Global quantum-secure network technologies / Testbed construction technologies for the Beyond 5G era / Advanced ICT device development platform technologies
Resilient ICT foundational technologies / Beyond 5G architecture technologies / Terahertz-wave ICT platform technologies / Global quantum-secure network technologies / Testbed construction technologies for the Beyond 5G era / Advanced ICT device development platform technologies
Innovation Hub Social Implementation Functions / External Collaboration Functions
- We will strengthen NICT’s Innovation Hub functions to promote the social implementation of technologies originating in Japan.(Development of co-creative innovation testbeds / More effective utilization of facilities, infrastructure, and data, etc.)
- We will also enhance NICT’s functions as a research funding and program management agency, among other initiatives.