US nuclear submarine patrols the Pacific Ocean deep waters where light cannot reach – pinning sights on China (2/2)

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

米原潜、光届かない太平洋の深海を巡回　視線は中国に釘付け (2/2)

2023.04.07 Fri posted at 15:30 JST

(continue)

恐るべき威力

米海軍の全ての潜水艦と同様、ミシシッピは原子力を動力とするため、原則として空間的、時間的制限を受けることなく配備できる。唯一必要なのは、寄港して乗組員のための物資を供給することだ。

ジャブロン氏が指摘するように、「乗組員の食料さえあればいい。食料が十分なら、世界中を再補給なしで移動できる」。

核を搭載したミサイルの発射は、米海軍が保有する１４隻の弾道ミサイル潜水艦のための任務だ。これらの潜水艦はより大型で、しばしば「ブーマー」と呼ばれる。

ただミシシッピが搭載する兵器も、やはり恐るべき威力を誇る。同艦の運ぶトマホーク巡航ミサイルは、最大１６００キロ先の標的に撃ち込める。また魚雷は、海上と海中の両方で敵を攻撃可能だ。

全ての装備を施すと、魚雷「Ｍｋ４８」を最大２５基搭載できると、ミシシッピのエドワード・バリー艦長は述べた。

ジャブロン氏によると、米国の潜水艦部隊は冷戦時代には密かに作戦に従事していたが、現在は他の米軍部隊や同盟国と大々的に活動している。「そのため敵国は、我々が世界中のどの国際水域でも活動できることを理解する」（同氏）

中国は、原潜で米国に著しく後れを取る現状を変えたいと強く望んでいる。

中国の保有する弾道ミサイル潜水艦と攻撃型原潜の数はそれぞれ６隻ずつだが、２０～４０年の間にこれを２倍以上に増やす考えだ。中国海軍の最新化に関する米国議会調査局（ＣＲＳ）の２２年版の調査が明らかにした。

一方米軍によると、中国海軍はディーゼル推進または非大気依存推進の攻撃型潜水艦を維持するとみられる。

ジャブロン氏は潜水艦部隊の潜水艦４９隻中２５隻が太平洋に配備されているとしたが、その中にはメンテナンス等の理由から使用できない潜水艦もあるという。

当然中国の艦隊も同様にメンテナンスの必要に迫られる公算が大きいものの、同国は太平洋とインド洋の２つの海洋をカバーするだけでいい。従ってインド太平洋地域での潜水艦の総数では、中国海軍に軍配が上がる。

米議会予算局（ＣＢＯ）が出した数字によると、米軍の攻撃型潜水艦の数は２８年までに４６隻に縮小した後、新たな建造計画が本格始動すれば、最大で６９隻を５２年までに保有できる見通し。

愛する人から離れて

潜水艦の乗組員としての生活は、軍の他部門では味わえないものかもしれない。

潜水艦は深海に潜って長期間過ごすこともあるため、ミシシッピの乗組員は狭い閉鎖空間での暮らしを余儀なくされる。そこに外の世界とのやり取りはほとんど存在しない。

要員を２４時間確実に配置するため、乗組員は通常３交代制で任務に就くと、バリー艦長は説明する。

艦内ですることは概ね標準化されている。毎日８時間の勤務の後は学習と掃除、グループ活動で８時間過ごす。それが終わると就寝時間になる。

「乗組員はよく訓練されている。教育水準が高く、経験豊富だ。愛国心もある。だから潜水艦で海へ出るとき、彼らと同じように任務をこなせる人はほとんどいないと思う」（バリー艦長）

カリフォルニア州出身で２６歳の電気技師、スティーブン・ウォン氏は初入隊時、原潜内の空間の狭さに多少面食らったという。

「最も驚いたのは、お互いの距離の近さだ。このような形で苦難を共にすれば、最後には本当に強い絆（きずな）で結ばれる」。そう話すウォン氏は、艦の動力と電力を供給する原子炉の稼働に責任を負う。

深海では信号を受信するのが困難になるため、愛する人たちと連絡を取り続けるのも容易ではない。潜航すると実質的に使用できる通信手段は電子メールのみになると、ウォン氏は説明する。同氏にはハワイに住む妻がいる。

「毎日、機密扱いされていない自分のコンピューターでメールチェックを行う。未読のメッセージを見つけたときは、いつもものすごく興奮する」（ウォン氏）

Translation

(continue)

Formidable power

Like all U.S. Navy submarines, the Mississippi was nuclear-powered and could in principle be deployed without spatial or temporal restrictions. All it needed was a port call to supply supplies for the crew.

As Jablon pointed out, "All you need is food for the crew. If you have enough food, you can travel around the world without resupplying."

Launching nuclear-armed missiles was a mission for the US Navy's 14 ballistic-missile submarines. These submarines were larger and were often called "boomers".

However, the weapons carried by the Mississippi were also terrifyingly powerful. The submarine carried Tomahawk cruise missiles that could hit targets up to 1,600 kilometers away. Torpedoes could also hit enemies both at sea and under water.

Mississippi captain Edward Barry said that with all the equipment installed, it could carry up to 25 Mk 48 torpedoes.

U.S. submarine forces operated covertly during the Cold War, Jablon said, but now they operate on a large scale with other U.S. forces and allies. "So, adversaries will understand that we can operate in any international waters around the world." (Jablon)

China had a strong desire to change the current situation in which it lagged far behind the United States in nuclear submarines.

China had six ballistic missile submarines and six nuclear attack submarines, and planned to more than double the number between 2020 and 2040, as found out in the 2022 edition of the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) study on China's naval modernization.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military said China's navy was likely to keep its diesel-powered or non-atmosphere-powered attack submarines.

Jablon said 25 of the 49 submarines in the submarine force were deployed in the Pacific, but among them some were out of service for maintenance and other reasons.

Of course, China's fleet was likely to be in need of maintenance as well, but the country only needed to cover two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Therefore, the Chinese navy took the lead when it came to the total number of submarines in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to figures released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the number of attack submarines in the U.S. military would drop to 46 by 2028, if the new construction project started in earnest, it was expected to have a maximum of 69 vessels by 2052.

Away from loved ones

Life as a submarine crew might not be something you could experience in other branches of the military.

Submarines often spent long periods of time in deep water, forcing crews on the Mississippi to live in cramped, enclosed spaces. There was almost no interaction with the outside world.

Captain Barry explained that in order to ensure 24-hour availability, crews typically worked in three shifts.

Things on board were generally standardized. After working 8 hours every day, to spend 8 hours in studying, cleaning, and doing group activities. After that, it was bedtime.

"The crew is well trained, well educated, experienced, and patriotic. I don't think there are many people who can do the same job when they go out to sea on a submarine." (Captain Barry)

California-born 26-year-old electrician Steven Wong said he was a little taken aback by the cramped space inside the submarine when he first enlisted.

 "The thing that surprised me the most was how close they were to each other. When you go through hardships together in this way, you end up with a really strong bond." Wong who said this was responsible for the operation of the nuclear reactors that provided moving power and electricity for the ship.

Keeping in touch with his loved ones was not easy, as signals were difficult to receive in the deep sea. Wong said email was the only practical means of communication once you were submerged. He had a wife who lived in Hawaii.

"Every day I check email on my unclassified computer. Whenever I find an unread message, I always get super excited." (Wong)

              So, the Mississippi is nuclear-powered and can in principle be deployed without spatial or temporal restrictions. The weapons carried by the Mississippi are terrifyingly powerful. This submarine carries Tomahawk cruise missiles that can hit targets up to 1,600 kilometers away. A former U.S. Navy captain believes that submarines are an area where the United States still has a strong edge over China, and can survive a Chinese naval attack. I think submarines are one of the consideration for China not to invade Taiwan now.

US nuclear submarine patrols the Pacific Ocean deep waters where light cannot reach – pinning sights on China (1/2)

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

米原潜、光届かない太平洋の深海を巡回　視線は中国に釘付け (1/2)

2023.04.07 Fri posted at 15:30 JST

ハワイ・ホノルル（ＣＮＮ） 太平洋の海面下数百フィート、米海軍で最も先進的な技術を駆使した設備の一つに守られて、ジェフ・ジャブロン海軍少将の目には自身のチームが直面する２つの極めて大きな課題がはっきりと見えている。

「今日の世界で、我が国は共に核を保有する２つの敵国と対峙（たいじ）している。そんな状況はこれまでなかった」。米太平洋艦隊所属の攻撃型原子力潜水艦「ＵＳＳミシシッピ」の艦内で、ジャブロン氏はそう説明する。

「旧ソ連、つまり現在のロシアは、核能力に関して我が国と同等の敵国だった。現在対峙する中国は、自らの核能力を拡大、最新化している」（ジャブロン氏）

その日、バージニア級の原潜ミシシッピはハワイ・真珠湾の基地を後にし、通常任務のため世界最大の海洋の波の下へと滑り込んだ。

艦内では１３０人余りの水兵がそれぞれの持ち場につき、練り上げられた数々の任務をこなしている。

コントロールルームでは１０人以上の水兵が任務に就いていた。ソナーで障害物を探る者もいれば、暗い深海での潜航を担う者もいる。

魚雷の格納庫へ下りると、技術者らが装填（そうてん）の訓練を行っていた。いかなる時も作戦即応性を確保することが狙いだ。さらに下層のフロアでは、機関兵らが油圧系統の適正な機能を確認していた。

作業は窮屈で、閉所恐怖症になりそうだと乗組員らは説明する。海で長い期間を過ごすうち、お互いが強い関係で結ばれ、ほとんど家族のようになるという。

マサチューセッツ州出身の２２歳の機械工、ジャック・オブライエン氏は同僚らについて、「毎日顔を合わせ、毎日共に働き、隣同士で眠る」と語る。

「港にいるときでさえ、日の出から日没まで艦内で働いている」

ＡＵＫＵＳの潜水艦協定

アジアにおける核兵器開発競争への懸念が高まる中、ＣＮＮの記者に対し、ＵＳＳミシシッピへの独占的なアクセスが認められた。ジャブロン氏によれば同艦は、米艦隊に所属する攻撃型潜水艦４９隻の一つ。取材の目的は、米政府がどのように準備を進め、地域の潜在的な紛争を抑止しようとしているのかを見極めることにある。

潜水艦は見つけにくく、破壊されにくく、途方もない距離を移動することが可能だ。そうした潜水艦の果たす役割が原動力となり今月、米国と英国、オーストラリアは原子力潜水艦協定の詳細を発表した。これにより３カ国は協力関係を一段と高め、中国の急速な軍拡に対抗するとみられる。

いわゆる「ＡＵＫＵＳ（オーカス）協定」の下、オーストラリアはバージニア級原潜３隻を米国から２０３０年代前半に購入する予定。これには議会の承認が必要になる。

中国は協定に強く反発。３カ国は「冷戦的な精神構造」を有しているとし、世界の安全性を損なうことになると非難した。

国家安全保障戦略の概要によると、米国にとって中国はゆっくりと迫る脅威、ロシアは緊急の脅威だという。米太平洋艦隊で潜水艦部隊の司令官を務めるジャブロン氏が明らかにした。

現在潜水艦部隊のおよそ６割が太平洋に配備されている背景には、そうした厳しい状況があると、同氏は付け加えた。

中国軍の進歩を目の当たりにしつつも、専門家らは海中での戦闘にかけてなら、まだ米国に相当の強みがあるとみている。

米海軍の元大佐で、米太平洋軍統合情報センターの作戦責任者を務めたこともあるカール・シュスター氏は「潜水艦は、米国が依然として確固たる優位性を中国に対して保っている領域だ」と指摘。ステルス性と攻撃力を併せ持つプラットフォームであり、中国海軍の攻撃を生き延びるだけの能力を有するとの見解を示した。

(to be continued)

Translation:

Honolulu, Hawaii (CNN) - In the eyes of Rear Admiral Jeffrey Jablon, hundreds of feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean and protected by one of the U.S. Navy's most technologically advanced installations, it was clearly visible that his team were facing two very big challenges.

Mr. Jablon, on board the nuclear attack submarine "USS Mississippi" which belonged to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, explained that "In today's world, our country is facing two adversaries, both of whom have nuclear weapons. We have never had a situation like that before".

"The former Soviet Union, which is now Russia, was an equal enemy to us in terms of nuclear capabilities. Now we are facing China, which is expanding and modernizing its own nuclear capabilities." (Mr. Jablon)

That day, the Virginia-class submarine Mississippi left her base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and slid under the wave of the world's largest ocean for her routine duty.

Aboard the ship, more than 130 sailors were assigned to their respective posts and carried out a number of well-practiced missions.

More than ten sailors were on duty in the control room. Some explored obstacles with sonar, while others were responsible for diving in the dark depths of the ocean.

When I went down to the torpedo hangar, the engineers were practicing loading. The aim was to ensure operational readiness at all times. Further down on the floor, engineers were checking the proper functioning of the hydraulic system.

Crew members described the work as cramped and potentially claustrophobic. As they spend long periods at sea, they developed a strong bond with each other, almost like a family.

Jack O'Brien, a 22-year-old machinist from Massachusetts, said of his colleagues that "We see each other every day, we work together every day, we sleep next to each other."

"Even when I'm in port, I work on board from sunrise to sunset."

AUKUS submarine agreement

CNN reporters had been granted exclusive access to the USS Mississippi amid growing concerns over the nuclear arms race in Asia. Jablon said this submarine was one of 49 attack submarines in the US fleet. The purpose of this interviews was to find out how the US government was preparing to deter a potential conflict in the region.

Submarines were hard to spot, hard to destroy, and could travel incredible distances. The role that submarines played became the impetus for the US, UK and Australia to announce details of a nuclear submarine agreement this month. The move was expected to further enhance cooperation between the three countries and seen as to counter China's rapid military expansion.

Under the so-called AUKUS Agreement, Australia would purchase three Virginia-class submarines from the United States in the early 2030s. This would require parliamentary approval.

China strongly opposed to the agreement. It accused the three countries of having a "Cold War mentality" that would undermine global security.

According to an outline of the National Security Strategy, China was a slowly looming threat to the United States, while Russia was an imminent threat. Jablon the commander of submarine forces in the U.S. Pacific Fleet clarified this.

He added that such a difficult situation was behind the fact that about 60 percent of the submarine fleet were now deployed in the Pacific.

Despite witnessing China's military advances, experts still believed that the United States had considerable advantages when it came to fighting under the sea.

Karl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain and former chief of operations for the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Center pointed out that “Submarines are an area where the United States still has a strong edge over China". He held the view that this was a platform that combined stealth and attack power, and could survive a Chinese naval attack.

(to be continued)

發展中國家面臨債務的危機（2/2）

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

The developing countries facing a debt crisis (2/2)

Wed, April 5, 2023 at 7:16 a.m. PDT

(continue)

PAKISTAN

Months of political and economic turmoil, worsened by crippling floods last year and record inflation, put Pakistan in the danger zone.

China agreed to refinance $1.8 billion already credited to Pakistan's central bank, and last month rolled over a $2 billion loan that had matured earlier in March, providing relief during Pakistan's acute balance of payments crisis.

But talks with the IMF for a delayed $1.1 billion loan tranche, part of $6.5 billion bailout agreed in 2019, have dragged on and foreign exchange reserves have fallen to less than four weeks of imports.

TUNISIA

The tourism-dependent North African economy is in the throes of a punishing crisis that led to a shortage of basic food items.

A $1.9 billion IMF loan has been stalled for months as Tunisia's president has shown little sign of action on key reforms. Most debt is internal but foreign loan repayments are due later this year. Credit ratings agencies have said Tunisia may default.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka defaulted on its international debt last year after economic mismanagement, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked a political crisis and left it without dollars for even essential imports.

The IMF signing a $3 billion bailout package last month could help the South Asian island country secure additional support of nearly $4 billion from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other lenders.

Government officials aim to complete debt restructuring talks by September. Sri Lanka is also reworking part of its domestic debt and aims to finalize it by May.

UKRAINE

Ukraine just received the first $2.7 billion tranche under a four-year, $15.6 billion IMF loan program. This is part of a bigger $115 billion global package of support.

The country suspended all debt payments last year in the wake of Russia's invasion, and will need to restructure its borrowings if and when the situation stabilises.

The IMF estimates Ukraine needs $3-$4 billion a month to keep the country running. Rebuilding Ukraine's economy is now expected to cost $411 billion, a recent report by the World Bank and others found.

ZAMBIA

The first African country to default during the COVID-19 era in 2020, Zambia is seen as a litmus test for the G20's Common Framework initiative set up during the pandemic to streamline debt restructurings. But talks have been remarkably slow, and external debt crept up to $18.6 billion.

Western officials have blamed China, its largest bilateral lender, for the hold-up, something that China disputes. There have been broad disagreements about how much debt the country can afford going forward.

Zambia's currency, the kwacha, has fallen more than 10% against the U.S. dollar this year, which the central bank has said is adding to inflation. It blamed the drop partly on debt restructuring delays.

(Reporting by Marc Jones, Rachel Savage, Karin Strohecker and Libby George, editing by Mark Heinrich)

Translation

（繼續）

巴基斯坦

數月的政治和經濟動盪，加上去年嚴重的洪水和創紀錄的通貨膨脹，使巴基斯坦陷入險境。

中國同意對已經記入巴基斯坦中央銀行的 18 億美元進行再融資，並於上月把3 月初到期的 20 億美元貸款展期，緩解了巴基斯坦嚴重的國際收支危機。

但與國際貨幣基金組織就一筆已延遲的 11 億美元的貸款（2019 年達成的 65 億美元救助計劃的一部分）進行的談判一拖再拖，外匯儲備已降至不到 4 週的進口額。

突尼斯

依賴旅遊業的北非經濟正處於一場懲罰性危機的陣痛中，這場危機導致基本食品短缺。

由於突尼斯總統在關鍵改革方面幾乎沒有表現出任何行動跡象，因此國際貨幣基金組織的 19 億美元貸款已被擱置數月。 大多數債務是內部債務，但外國貸款的償還將於今年晚些時候到期。 信用評級機構稱突尼斯有可能違約。

斯里蘭卡

斯里蘭卡去年因 COVID-19 病毒大流行加劇了經濟管理不善而拖欠國際債務，引發了政治危機，甚至連用於基本進口的美元都沒有。

國際貨幣基金組織上個月簽署了一項 30 億美元的救助計劃，可以幫助這個南亞島國從世界銀行、亞洲開發銀行和其他貸方那裡獲得近 40 億美元的額外支持。

政府官員的目標是在 9 月之前完成債務重組談判。 斯里蘭卡也在重組部分國內債務，目標是在 5 月前完成。

烏克蘭

烏克蘭剛剛收到國際貨幣基金組織一項為期四年、價值 156 億美元的貸款計劃下的第一筆 27 億美元貸款。 這是規模更大的全球一攬子1,150 億美元的支持計劃的一部分。

去年俄羅斯入侵後，該國暫停了所有債務支付，當在局勢穩定後，將需要重組其借款。

國際貨幣基金組織估計，烏克蘭每月需要 30 至 40 億美元才能維持國家運轉。 世界銀行和其他機構最近的一份報告發現，目前重建烏克蘭經濟預計將耗資 4,110 億美元。

贊比亞

贊比亞是 2020 年 COVID-19 時代第一個違約的非洲國家，它被視為 G20 在病毒大流行期間為簡化債務重組而設立的共同框架倡議的試金石。 但談判進展緩慢，外債攀升至 186 億美元。

西方官員指責中國作為最大的雙邊貸款人在阻礙進展，中國對此表示反對。 對於該國未來可以負擔多少債務存在廣泛分歧。

贊比亞貨幣克瓦查今年兌美元匯率下跌超過 10%，央行稱這加劇了通貨膨脹。 它將下跌部分原因歸咎於債務重組的延遲。

              So, a record number of developing nations are at risk of a debt crisis. Rising inflation, escalating borrowing costs and a strong dollar have made repaying loans significantly more expensive for many developing nations and pushing several countries into default. The economic outlook globally is not that positive at this moment. I am wondering why many countries prefer seeking loans from China instead of from the IMF or the World Bank. Is it easier to borrow money from China?

發展中國家面臨債務的危機（1/2）

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

The developing countries facing a debt crisis (1/2)

Wed, April 5, 2023 at 7:16 a.m. PDT

LONDON (Reuters) - The record number of developing nations at risk of a debt crisis will be high on the agenda next week when central bankers, finance ministers and political leaders convene for the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings.

Ballooning inflation, escalating borrowing costs and a strong dollar have made repaying loans and raising money significantly more expensive for dozens of developing nations, pushing several into default last year.

Below is a look at countries that face a debt crunch or have already defaulted on international loans.

EGYPT

Egypt's tourism-dependent economy was hammered by the one-two punch of COVID-19 and soaring food and energy prices, leaving it short of dollars and struggling to pay rising debts.

Cairo secured a new $3 billion IMF package in December by committing to a flexible currency, a greater role for the private sector and a range of monetary and fiscal reforms.

Import and currency restrictions have weighed on economic activity, and a foreign currency shortage continues despite three sizable devaluations since March 2022 that halved the value of the pound. Inflation stands now at a more than five-year high above 30%.

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador cleared a $600 million bond payment hurdle in January. The Central American country has roughly $6.4 billion in outstanding Eurobonds. While the next payment is not due until 2025, concerns about El Salvador's high debt service costs and its financing plans and fiscal policies have pressed its bonds into deeply distressed territory.

The country's move to make bitcoin legal tender in September 2021 effectively closed the doors to IMF financing. However, the risks over El Salvador's embrace of bitcoin "have not materialized", the IMF acknowledged.

GHANA

Ghana is in its worst economic crisis in a generation, spending over 40% of government revenues on debt payments last year. In January, it became the fourth country to seek a rework under the Common Framework.

The West African country secured a $3 billion agreement with the IMF in December, though it still needs to get financing assurances from bilateral lenders to clinch the final sign-off. The cocoa, gold and oil producer has already reached a deal to write down domestic debt and last week kicked off formal debt talks with international bondholders.

LEBANON

Lebanon's financial system began unravelling in 2019 after decades of mismanagement and corruption, and in early 2020 it defaulted. Lebanon has had neither a head of state nor a fully empowered cabinet since Oct. 31.

It reached a provisional $3 billion IMF agreement in April 2022, but the fund recently warned Lebanon was "in a very dangerous situation" due to delays on a range of reforms, including banking and exchange rate overhauls. Beirut devalued the official exchange rate for the first time in 25 years in February. Last month its central bank said it would begin selling unlimited amounts of U.S. dollars to halt spiraling devaluation.

MALAWI

Malawi is grappling with foreign exchange shortages and a budget deficit of some 1.32 trillion kwacha ($1.30 billion), or 8.7% of GDP.

The donor-dependent southern African nation is trying to restructure its debt in order to secure more funding from the IMF, which approved emergency funds in November.

(to be continued)

Translation

倫敦（路透社）- 下週各國央行行長、財政部長和政治領導人將召開世界銀行集團 (World Bank Group) 以及國際貨幣基金組織（IMF）春季會議，屆時面臨債務危機風險的發展中國家數量將創歷史新高。

不斷脹大的通貨膨脹、不斷攀升的借貸成本和堅挺的美元, 使得數十個發展中國家的償還貸款和籌集資金的成本大大增加，並在去年迫使一些國家違約。

以下是面臨債務緊縮或已經拖欠國際貸款的國家。

埃及

埃及依賴旅遊業的經濟受到 COVID-19 以及食品和能源價格飆升的兩面夾擊，使其缺乏美元並難以支付不斷增加的債務。

開羅在 12 月獲得了 IMF 新的 30 億美元一筆撥款計劃, 承諾通過靈活的貨幣、讓私營部門發揮更大的作用, 以及有一系列貨幣和財政改革。

進口和貨幣限制對經濟活動造成壓力，儘管自 2022 年 3 月以來進行三次埃及鎊大貶值，但外匯短缺仍在繼續。 通貨膨脹率目前處於五年多高位的 30% 以上。

薩爾瓦多

薩爾瓦多在 1 月份清除了支付 6 億美元的債券的障礙。 這個中美洲國家擁有大約 64 億美元的未償還的歐洲債券。 雖然下一筆付款要到 2025 年才能到期，但對薩爾瓦多高額償債成本及其融資計劃和財政政策的擔憂, 已將其債券推入深陷困境。

該國於 2021 年 9 月使比特幣成為法定貨幣的舉動,實際上關閉了向國際貨幣基金組織融資的大門。 然而，國際貨幣基金組織承認，薩爾瓦多面臨的比特幣風險 “尚未成為事實” 。

加納

加納正處於一代人以來最嚴重的經濟危機中，去年將超過 40% 的政府收入用於償還債務。 1 月，它成為第四個在共同框架下尋求重組的國家。

這個西非國家在 12 月與國際貨幣基金組織達成了一項價值 30 億美元的協議，但它仍需要獲得雙邊貸方的融資保證才能完成最終簽署。 這家可可、黃金和石油生產商已經達成減小國內債務的協議，並於上周啟動了與國際債券持有人的正式債務談判。

黎巴嫩

在經歷了數十年的管理不善和腐敗之後，黎巴嫩的金融體係於 2019 年開始崩潰，並於 2020 年初違約。 自 10 月 31 日以來，黎巴嫩既沒有國家元首，也沒有完全授權的內閣。

它於 2022 年 4 月與國際貨幣基金組織達成了一項價值 30 億美元的臨時協議，但該基金最近警告稱，由於銀行和匯率改革等一系列改革的延遲，黎巴嫩 “處於非常危險的境地”。 貝魯特在 2 月對官方匯率進行了 25 年來的首次貶值。 上個月其中央銀行表示將開始無限量出售美元以阻止螺旋式貶值。

馬拉維

馬拉維正努力應對外匯短缺和約 1.32 萬億克瓦查（13 億美元）或 GDP 的 8.7% 的預算赤字。

這個依賴捐助者的南部非洲國家正試圖重組其債務，以確保從 IMF 獲得更多資金，IMF 於 11 月批出了緊急資金。

（待續）

香港勞動力出現近 40 年來最大跌幅

Hong Kong's Workforce Sees Its Biggest Drop in Almost 40 Years

Kari Lindberg

Mon, April 3, 2023 at 9:13 p.m. PDT

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong’s labor market has seen its sharpest drop on record, underscoring the city’s challenges with an aging population and outflow of talent.

The Asian hub’s working population fell by 94,100, down 2.4% in 2022, according to data released Monday by the Census and Statistics Department. This is the largest labor plummet since the government began keeping records in 1985.

Hong Kong is running an uphill battle as the government seeks to kick-start an economy that recorded its third annual contraction in four years. Tens of thousands of people, including lawyers and bankers, left the city following the national security law and strict pandemic curbs.

A manpower shortage will affect services for the public and the city’s competitiveness, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said at a daily press conference on Tuesday.

Lee has made attracting talent a key priority for his administration. Last October, he started a global talent program that includes a two-year visa plan for high-income workers and top university graduates.

So far, the program has mostly attracted interest from Chinese. Most of the 10,000 some applications are from the mainland, according to local media.

The city is also competing with Singapore to attract wealth business. The government announced in March that it would cut taxes for family offices.

One of Hong Kong’s biggest hurdles is staffing up its tourism sector dented by Covid curbs. The industry, along with exports, could help the economy grow by an estimated 7.6%, according to a Goldman Sachs Group Inc. forecast.

Translation

（彭博社）- 香港的勞動力市場出現了有記錄以來的最大跌幅，凸顯了這座城市面臨的人口老齡化和人才外流的挑戰。

根據政府統計處週一公佈的數據，這個亞洲樞紐的工作人口在 2022 年減少了 94,100 人，跌幅為 2.4%。 這是自 1985 年政府開始記錄以來最大的勞動力急跌。

香港正在打一場艱苦的戰鬥，因為政府試圖啟動一個四年來第三次出現年度收縮的經濟體。 包括律師和銀行家在內的數万人因為國家安全法和嚴格的流行病遏制措施離開了這座城市。

香港行政長官李家超週二在每日新聞發布會上表示，人力短缺將影響公眾服務和城市競爭力。

李將吸引人才作為其政府的首要任務。 去年 10 月，他啟動了一項全球人才計劃，其中包括針對高收入工人和頂尖大學畢業生的兩年簽證計劃。

到目前為止，該計劃主要吸引了中國人的興趣。 據當地媒體報導，這 10,000 份申請中的大部分來自大陸。

該市還與新加坡競爭吸引財富業務。 政府在三月份宣布將對家族辦公室減稅。

香港最大的障礙之一是為因新冠肺炎疫情實施的限制措施而被削弱的旅遊業去填補員工。 根據高盛集團的預測，該行業加上出口業可以幫助經濟增長 7.6%。

              So, Hong Kong’s working population fell by 94,100, down 2.4% in 2022. This is the largest labor plummet since the government began keeping records in 1985. I think many young people leave the city because of the national security law.

Oil exported to EU - U.S. at the top replacing sharply declining Russia

Recently CNN News on-line reported the following:

ＥＵへの原油輸出量、首位は急減のロシアに代わり米国

2023.04.01 Sat posted at 17:50 JST

ロンドン（ＣＮＮ） 欧州連合（ＥＵ）統計局は４月１日までに、域内への原油輸出で米国が首位に浮上し、昨年１２月時点での比率は１８％だったと報告した。この後に、ノルウェーやカザフスタンが続いた。

最近までロシア産原油が比率の首位を占めていたＥＵにとっては大きな転換となっている。ロシアによるウクライナ侵攻が契機となったもので、ＥＵはロシア産のエネルギー源の買い入れを減らし、同国の石油や石炭輸出に制裁策も打ち出していた。

同統計局によると、ロシア産原油のシェアは昨年１月末までは最大３１％で、大きな差が付けられていた２位の米国は最大１３％だった。

ロシアからの原油輸入は昨年９月から徐々に落ち込み始め、同１２月での全輸入量の中での割合はわずか４％に急減したという。

ＥＵは昨年１２月、海上輸送を通じてのロシア産原油の輸入禁止を決定。同原油の輸入価格に上限も設け、船荷主や保険企業らに１バレルあたり６０ドル（約７９８０円）以上での取引を禁じていた。

侵略が始まって以降、ＥＵ加盟国の一部はロシアの天然ガス輸入も削減し始め、ロシアは対抗策として欧州へのガス輸送を萎ませてもいた。昨年９月には技術的問題を理由に海底のガス輸送管の遮断に踏み切っていた。

ＥＵ統計局によると、ガスの輸入量におけるロシア産の比率は昨年の第１四半期（１〜３月）の３１％が同年末までには約１９％に減少。一方で２位の米国は約２０％で、首位のノルウェーが約３１％となっていた。

米国の欧州向けの原油輸出はウクライナ侵攻の開始前から増加基調にあったとの指摘もある。

欧州への原油輸出が縮小したロシアだが、インドや中国など新たな大手の輸入国は出てきている。

Translation

London (CNN) The European Union's statistical office said that by April 1, the United States had emerged as the number one exporter of crude oil into the region, with a share of 18% in December last year. This was followed by Norway and Kazakhstan.

This represented a major shift for the EU, which until recently was dominated by Russian oil. Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted the EU to reduce purchases of energy sources from Russia, and to introduce sanction on Russia's oil and coal exports.

According to the statistics bureau, Russia's share of crude oil reached 31% by the end of January last year, while the United States, which was a long way behind, had a maximum share of 13%.

Crude oil imports from Russia began a gradual decline in September last year, plummeting to just 4% of total imports in December.

In December last year, the EU decided to ban the import of Russian crude oil through sea transportation. It also set an upper limit on the import price of the crude oil, prohibiting shippers and insurance companies from trading at more than $60 (about 7,980 yen) per barrel.

Since the aggression began, some EU member states had also begun to cut Russian natural gas imports, and Russia also curtailed gas shipments to Europe in response. In September last year, Russia cut off the undersea gas pipeline due to technical problems.

According to EU statistics, Russia's share of gas imports fell from 31% in the first quarter of last year to about 19% by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the United States ranked second with about 20%, and Norway ranked first with about 31%.

It was also pointed out that US crude oil exports to Europe were on an upward trend even before the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's oil exports to Europe had shrunk, but new major importers such as India and China were emerging.

              So, the relationship between the US and EU is tightening due to Russia’s aggression into Ukraine. Globally, co-operation among major democratic countries, such as the G7 against China’s attempt to change the world order by force is also noted.

Restrictions on 23 items of semiconductor devices exporting to China - Difficult for cutting-edge products

Recent Nikkei News on-line reported the following:

半導体装置23品目規制　中国への輸出、先端品難しく

経済

2023年3月31日 11:02

半導体は各国の産業競争力や安全保障を左右する

政府は31日、先端半導体の製造装置など23品目を輸出管理の規制対象に加えると発表した。中国向けの輸出が難しくなる。米国がスーパーコンピューターや人工知能（AI）に使う先端半導体の製造装置などで中国向けの輸出を厳しく制限しており、日本も足並みをそろえる。各国の産業競争力や安全保障を左右する半導体分野で世界の分断が深まってきた。

日本は外為法に基づき、武器など軍事向けに転用できる民生品の輸出を管理している。政府は外為法の省令を改正し、23品目を輸出管理の対象に追加する。輸出に経済産業相の事前の許可が必要になる。

省令改正に向けて31日にパブリックコメントの募集を始めた。改正は5月の公布、7月の施行を予定する。

省令改正では中国など特定国・地域を規制対象として名指ししない。西村康稔経産相は同日の閣議後の記者会見で「特定の国を念頭に置いたものではない」と話した。ただ、追加される23品目は友好国など42カ国・地域向けを除いて個別許可が必要になり、中国などへの輸出は事実上難しくなる。

23品目には極端紫外線（EUV）関連製品の製造装置や、記憶素子を立体的に積み上げるエッチング装置などが含まれる。演算用のロジック半導体の性能では、回路線幅10〜14ナノ（ナノは10億分の1）メートル以下の先端品の製造に必要な装置だ。

東京エレクトロンやSCREENホールディングス、ニコンなど10社程度が影響を受けるとみられる。西村氏は企業業績への打撃に関し「全体としての影響は限定的だ」と説明した。

米国が2022年10月に導入した規制は14〜16ナノメートル以下のロジック半導体の製造などに必要な装置や技術を米商務省の許可制にした。事実上、輸出を禁じることになった。米国は半導体製造装置に強みをもつ日本とオランダにも同調するよう求めてきた。日本は「独自措置」（経産省幹部）としつつも足並みをそろえる。

オランダのスフレイネマーヘル外国貿易・開発協力相は、半導体の輸出規制について「夏前にも輸出制限の対象を広げる」と話す。オランダは既にEUV露光装置の輸出を制限しており、最先端ではない深紫外線（DUV）露光装置の一部も輸出規制の対象に加える考えだ。

世界の半導体製造装置市場は首位の米アプライドマテリアルズ、2位のオランダのASML、3位の東京エレクトロンなどが競り合う。日本とオランダが米国と協調することで、先端半導体分野で民主主義陣営と中国との分断が鮮明になる。

日本が新たな規制を導入すれば中国が対抗措置をとるリスクがある。中国は22年12月、世界貿易機関（WTO）に対し、米国の先端半導体を巡る対中輸出規制が不当だと提訴した。

Translation

The semiconductors affecting the industrial competitiveness and security of individual country

The government announced on the 31st that it would add 23 items, including manufacturing equipment for advanced semiconductors, to the list of export controls. Exports to China would become difficult. The United States had severely restricted exports to China of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment used in supercomputers and artificial intelligence (AI), and Japan was following suit. In the semiconductor field the division in the world had deepened, which affected the industrial competitiveness and security of all countries.

Based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act​ (外為法) , Japan controlled the export of civilian goods that could be used for military purposes etc. The government would revise the Ministerial Ordinance of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act by adding 23 items to be subjected to export control. Exportation would require prior permission from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Public comments were solicited on the 31st for the revision of the ministerial ordinance. The revision was scheduled to be promulgated in May and came into force in July.

The ministerial ordinance revision did not name specific countries and regions such as China as targets of regulation. At a press conference after the cabinet meeting on the same day, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村康稔)said, "There is no specific country in mind." However, the 23 additional items would require individual licenses, excluding those for 42 friendly countries and regions etc., making exports to China and other countries practically difficult.

The 23 items would include manufacturing equipment for extreme ultraviolet (EUV)-related products and including etching devices that stacked memory elements three-dimensionally. In terms of the efficiency of logic semiconductors for computation, it would be necessary for the manufacture of advanced products with circuit line widths of 10 to 14 nanometers (nano is 1/1 billion meters) or less.

About 10 companies, including Tokyo Electron, SCREEN Holdings, and Nikon, were expected to be affected. Nishimura said about the impact on corporate earnings, “The overall impact will be limited.”

The regulations introduced by the United States in October 2022 required the approval of the U.S. Department of Commerce on the equipment and technology that was needed for manufacturing logic semiconductors of 14 to 16 nanometers or less. In effect, exports were prohibited. The United States had asked Japan and the Netherlands, both of which had strengths in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, to follow suit. Japan would be in step with this move, even though it had said it would “take its own measures” (METI official).

Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Schreinemacher said, "We will expand the scope of export restrictions before the summer." The Netherlands had already restricted the export of EUV lithography equipment, and planned to add some less-advanced deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment to the export restrictions.

The global semiconductor manufacturing equipment market saw competition with US Applied Materials in the lead, in the second place ASML from the Netherlands, and in the third place Tokyo Electron etc. If Japan and the Netherlands cooperated with the United States, the division between the democratic camp and China would become clear in the field of advanced semiconductors.

If Japan introduced new regulations, there could be a risk that China could take countermeasures. In December 2010, China filed a lawsuit against the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the United States of cutting-edge semiconductor export restrictions on China.

So, Japan announces that it would add 23 items, including manufacturing equipment for advanced semiconductors, to the list of export controls. Exports to China will become difficult. Currently the global semiconductor manufacturing equipment market is dominated by the Applied Materials of the US, ASML of the Netherlands, and Tokyo Electron of Japan. A division between the democratic camp and China will become clear in the field of advanced semiconductors. The supply chain of advanced semiconductors will have a new look globally. Indeed, the division between the democratic camp and China in other fields are also appearing.

Quantum computer - What's so great about it? Full-scale operation of Japan’s first machine (2/2)

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

量子コンピューター 何がすごい？国産初号機が本格稼働 (2/2)

2023年3月27日 20時03分

(continue)

実用化に向け競争激化

量子コンピューターは1980年代に概念や原型となるアイデアが提案され、1994年にはアメリカの研究者が量子コンピューターを使って暗号技術に用いられる巨大な数の素因数分解を高速で行える計算方法を発見し、注目されました。

日本では、理化学研究所のチームを率いる中村泰信センター長らが1999年に「量子ビット」を世界で初めて電気回路として作ることに成功。

従来の電気回路と同様に「量子ビット」を扱えるようになったことで、量子コンピューターの研究開発は加速し、現在では同様の「量子ビット」を使ってIT大手のグーグルやIBMなどが実用化を目指し、開発競争で世界をリードしています。

国内では、このほか東京大学や大阪大学、自然科学研究機構などもそれぞれ仕組みが異なる「量子ビット」を考案し、研究開発を進めています。

ノイズと温度 技術的な壁も

世界で開発競争が進む量子コンピューター。

超高速の計算を可能にするのは「量子ビット」の「重ね合わせ」ですが、実用化に向けた最大の課題は、この状態が電磁波や熱などといった「ノイズ」に非常に弱く、正確な計算ができるかどうかが周辺の環境に大きく依存する点です。

理化学研究所の量子コンピューターの場合「量子ビット」からなる集積回路は、動作を安定させるために、円筒形の容器で何重にも覆って「ノイズ」を遮るとともに、「絶対零度」と呼ばれる氷点下273度近くに保ちます。

ところが、「ノイズ」は「量子ビット」から電気信号を読み出すケーブルや、回路上の不純物などからも生じ、誤作動につながる場合があります。

そこで、誤作動による誤りをあらかじめ検知し、訂正しながら計算する「誤り訂正」の仕組みが考案されています。

「量子ビット」が1つの場合、「誤り訂正」を確実に行うには理論上、その1万倍の「量子ビット」が必要だと考えられています。

去年、433量子ビットの量子コンピューターを完成させたIBMはことし1121量子ビットの開発を計画していますが、実用化には少なくとも100万量子ビットが必要だということです。

量子コンピューターの計算能力を左右する「量子ビット」を増やすには、その数に応じた制御や信号の読み出しを行う大量の通信ケーブルだけでなく「絶対零度」に近い環境を保つ大型の冷凍機が必要となります。

創薬や金融、材料開発など、社会のさまざまな分野で具体的な問題の解決に導く可能性を秘めた量子コンピューターですが、超高速の計算を可能にするにはこれらの課題を乗り越えられるかがカギで、さらなる進化を遂げられるか、注目されます。

松野官房長官「大きな一歩」

松野官房長官は27日午後の記者会見で「量子コンピューターは国際的にも開発競争が激化しており、国産初号機は将来の実用化に向けたわが国の大きな一歩だ。今後、産学官によって広く活用され、産業、研究の発展に大きく貢献していくことを期待している。政府としては量子技術の実用化・産業化に向けた方針や実行計画を示す新たな戦略を去年10月から検討しており、これを着実に進めていく」と述べました。

Translation

(continue)

Intensifying competition for commercialization

Quantum computers were proposed as concepts and prototypes in the 1980s, and in 1994, American researchers using quantum computers, discovered a calculation method that could perform high-speed prime factorization of huge numbers used in cryptography, and that drew attention.

In Japan, in 1999, Dr. Yasunobu Nakamura (中村泰信), the head of the RIKEN team, succeeded in making a "qubit" as an electric circuit for the first time in the world.

Since it became possible to handle "qubits" in the same way as conventional electric circuits, research and development of quantum computers had accelerated, and now the same "qubits" were used by major IT companies such as Google and IBM, and led the world in the development competition.

In Japan, other institutions such as the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences had devised “qubits” with different mechanisms and were progressing with research and development.

Noise and temperature - technical barriers

Quantum computers were the subject of intense development competition worldwide.

It was the superposition of qubits that enables ultra-high-speed computation, but the biggest challenge for practical use was that this state was extremely vulnerable to noise such as electromagnetic waves and heat, and whether it can be calculated depends greatly on the surrounding environment.

In the case of RIKEN's quantum computer, an integrated circuit consisting of "qubits" would be covered with many layers of cylindrical containers to block "noise" in order to stabilize the operation, and kept to near 273 degrees below freezing point, the so called “absolute zero”

However, "noise" was also generated from the cable that read out the electrical signal from the "qubit", and also arose from impurities in the circuit, etc., and that could lead to malfunction.

Therefore, an "error correction" mechanism had been devised that could in advance detect errors due to malfunctions, and perform correction while doing calculations.

In for one "qubit", it was theoretically believed that 10,000 times more "qubits" would be required to reliably perform "error correction".

IBM, which completed a quantum computer with 433 qubits last year, plans to develop 1121 qubits this year, but at least 1 million qubits would be required for practical use.

In order to increase the number of "qubits" that the computing power of quantum computers depended on, it would need not only a matching large number of communication cables that control and read out signals, but also a large refrigerator to maintain an environment close to "absolute zero".

Quantum computers had the potential to solve specific problems in various fields of society, such as drug discovery, finance, and materials development. The key to enabling ultra-high-speed calculations would be to overcome these issues, and attention would be paid to whether further evolution might be achieved.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno - ``A big step''

At a press conference on the afternoon of the 27th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, ``The development competition for quantum computers is intensifying internationally, and the first domestically produced machine is a big step for Japan toward future practical use. Based on industry-academic-government, it is expected that quantum technology will be utilized and contribute greatly to the development of industry and research. Since October last year, the government has been considering a new strategy that indicates policies and action plans for the practical application and industrialization of quantum technology, and we are doing this steadily.”

So, RIKEN (理化学研究所) has developed the first Japanese quantum computer that can be used by researchers. Japan is feeling the intensifying development competition for quantum computers internationally, and is developing action plans for the practical application and industrialization of quantum technology.

Quantum computer - What's so great about it? Full-scale operation of Japan’s first machine (1/2)

 Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

量子コンピューター 何がすごい？国産初号機が本格稼働 (1/2)

2023年3月27日 20時03分

“次世代の計算機”として社会を大きく変えると言われる「量子コンピューター」。

従来のコンピューターとは桁違いの計算能力の高さで、新薬の開発や金融市場の予測など、さまざまな課題を解決することが期待されています。

これまでのコンピューターとはいったい何が異なるのか。その仕組みや実用化に向けた課題を解説します。

国産初の量子コンピューター 本格稼働

量子コンピューターの「量子」は光の粒や電子などの極めて小さな物質のことで、この「量子」の世界で起こる物理現象を応用することで超高速の計算が可能になるとされています。

理化学研究所は、国産の初号機を開発し、研究者が利用できるサービスを27日から始めました。

開発したのは、量子コンピューター研究における日本の第一人者で理化学研究所の中村泰信センター長や国内企業などからなる研究グループです。

中村センター長は開発の意義について「大規模な量子コンピューターの実現はチャレンジングな課題で、世界的に見てもまだまだハードルが高い技術だ。開発は長いレースになるので、われわれが技術的に貢献する余地は十分ある」と話していました。

理化学研究所の初号機は27日から本格稼働。当面は、共同で研究する契約を結んだ大学や企業の研究者に利用してもらい、さらなる改良や関連するソフトウエア開発などを加速させたい考えです。

超高速計算を可能にするのは？

量子コンピューターは、スーパーコンピューターなど従来のものと何が違うのでしょうか。その仕組みを解説します。

【従来のコンピューター】

まず、従来のコンピューターです。

コンピューターが計算を行う際、電気的なスイッチに置き換えます。

この際、電流を通すか通さないかの2択となります。

情報をすべて「0」か「1」で表し、この組み合わせで処理をします。

この状態が「ビット」で、基本単位となります。

実際は次のように計算しています。

例えば3桁の場合、その組み合わせは「000」「001」「010」「011」「100」「101」「110」「111」の全部で8通りあります。

このため、従来のコンピューターでは、あわせて8回の処理が必要になります。

【量子コンピューター】

一方、量子コンピューターの場合です。

量子の世界では「0」でも「1」でもある“重ね合わせ”という特殊な物理現象が存在します。これが「量子ビット」です。

この“重ね合わせ”を応用することで、従来のコンピューターでは8回の処理が必要だったプロセスが、わずか1回に。

こうした仕組みによって、超高速の計算が可能になるのです。

理化学研究所が開発した量子コンピューターの場合、頭脳にあたる集積回路には格子状にならんだ「量子ビット」が64あり「重ね合わせ」によって「2の64乗通り」の情報を同時に表せることを意味します。

高速で計算を繰り返す従来のコンピューターよりも計算の回数を減らせる可能性があり、計算の対象によっては、スーパーコンピューターをしのぐ桁違いに速いスピードで問題を解くことができると期待されています。

(to be continued)

Translation

Quantum computers were said to be “the next-generation computers” that would change society significantly.

With computing power that was way much higher than conventional computers, it was expected that it could solve various problems such as new drug development and financial market forecasting.

How was it different from the computer we were using so far? We would explain its mechanism and also challenges in turning it into practical application.

Full-scale operation of Japan's first quantum computer

The ``quantum'' of quantum computers referred to extremely small substances such as light particles and electrons, and it was said that ultra-high-speed calculations were possible by applying the physical phenomena that occur in this ``quantum'' world.

RIKEN (理化学研究所)had developed the first nation’s machine and from the 27th started a service that could be used researchers.

It was developed by a research group consisting of Yasunobu Nakamura (中村泰信), director of RIKEN, Japan's leading researcher in quantum computer research, and Japanese companies etc.

Director Nakamura commented on the significance of the development to say that, "The realization of a large-scale quantum computer is a challenging task, and even from a global perspective, the hurdles are still high. Development will be a long race, there is plenty of room for us to contribute technically."

RIKEN's first unit began full-scale operation on the 27th. For the time being, those researchers from universities and companies who had signed joint research agreements would use it, and to accelerate further improvements and related software development would be considered.

What makes ultra-fast computation possible?

What was the difference between quantum computers and conventional ones such as supercomputers? I will explain how it works.

[Conventional computer]

First is the traditional computer.

When the computer performed the calculations, it replaced/changed positions with an electrical switch.

At this time, there were two choices, whether to pass the current or not.

All information would be represented by "0" or "1", and processing would be performed with this combination.

This state was called a "bit", which was the basic unit.

The actual calculation would be as follows.

For example, in the case of 3 digits, there were a total of 8 combinations of ``000'', ``001'', ``010'', ``011'', ``100'', ``101'', ``110'', and ``111''.

For this reason, a conventional computer would require a total of eight dispositions.

[Quantum computer]

On the other hand, for quantum computers.

In the quantum world, there was a special physical phenomenon called "superposition" that was both "0" and "1". This was a "qubit".

By applying this "superimposition", the process that used to take eight times with a conventional computer could be reduced to just one.

Such a mechanism would enable ultra-high-speed calculations.

In the case of the quantum computer developed by RIKEN, the integrated circuit, which was the brain, there were 64 "qubits" arranged in a grid shape, and by "superposition", it means that "2 to the 64th power" information could be represented at the same time.

Compared to conventional computers, there was a possibility that the number of high-speed calculations done in repeating calculations could be reduced. Depending on the calculation target, the ability to solve problems at a superior magnitude faster than supercomputers could be expected.

(to be continued)

Note:

1. RIKEN (理研) is a large natural sciences research institute in Japan. Founded in 1917, it now has approximately 3,000 scientists on seven campuses across Japan, the main one in Wako, just outside Tokyo. RIKEN is an Independent Administrative Institution whose formal name in Japanese is Rikagaku Kenkyūjo (理化学研究所) and in English is The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research. RIKEN conducts research in many areas of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, engineering and computational science, and ranging from basic research to practical applications. It is almost entirely funded by the Japanese government. (Wikepedia)

2. In quantum computing, a qubit or quantum bit is a basic unit of quantum information—the quantum version of the classic binary bit physically realized with a two-state device. A qubit is a two-state quantum-mechanical system, one of the simplest quantum systems displaying the peculiarity of quantum mechanics. (Wikipedia)