Before the advent of the PC, computers were mainframes.

It is what is called a cluster of giant calculators that sit on a vast floor.

Although the installation is similar to today's data centers, the content is completely different.

It is similar in appearance to a supercomputer, but differs in that a supercomputer is not a general-purpose computer (equipped with a general-purpose OS and general-purpose language).

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Japan was once the world's leading mainframe powerhouse.

This was largely due to the work of the then Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).

At the time, the world wanted IBM mainframes.

The same was true of Japanese industry and universities.

However, MITI thoroughly "interfered" with this.

'It must have the same performance. Then buy a Japanese mainframe.

Well, in this way, the Japanese mainframe industry continued to be protected, and the market has grown to the point where it rivals that of IBM.

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Now, it seems that our country has recently embarked on a policy of protecting "homegrown quantum computers".

I am watching this move with great interest.

I used to do a series of articles on quantum computers for about six months.

My view at the time was,

"Quantum computers are still in the research phase"

A year and a half has passed since the last issue of the series. Have there been any new technological developments that have entered the practical stage?

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According to news reports,

"The government is planning to establish four new research and human resource development centers, including at Tohoku University, and has set a goal of 10 million users of quantum technology by 2030."

They are very specific.

Of course, I have no reason to oppose a policy of protection for "homegrown quantum computers," whether in the research or practical stage.

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My concern is not with the researchers, but with the government.

A "homegrown quantum computer" would require a huge, long-term budget, on the order of 20 to 50 years.

I am concerned about whether they can continue to budget patiently enough to withstand this.

The most likely scenario is that,

"If the U.S. and China back out (or give up) on the development of quantum computers, the government will immediately terminate the budget."

In the past, they have had a proven track record.

Like the drama "The Housekeeper Watches",

I saw it, ma'am -- the government threw away the Sigma project, the Expert System, and more recently, the domestic semiconductor project, and ran away.

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If the above project had continued, the Internet and the current AI could have originated in Japan..... No, that's not possible.

But, honestly, I think that Japanese researchers are not 'crazy' enough.

As such, I think I also have a short duration of enthusiasm for unknown research -- just like the Japanese government.