Japan's CRYPTREC adds post-quantum algorithms to its ciphers list
2 APRIL 2025, TOKYO
Japan's cryptography evaluation body, CRYPTREC, issued a post-quantum guideline on 2 April 2025 and revised its Ciphers List on 30 March 2026 to include an ML-KEM table. It is evaluating the signature schemes ML-DSA and SLH-DSA during 2026. Japan is therefore adding post-quantum algorithms to its approved list in stages rather than all at once.
The Ciphers List carries weight in Japan. It catalogues the cryptographic algorithms recommended for government use, and industry references it widely. Adding ML-KEM, and later the signature schemes, tells Japanese organizations which post-quantum algorithms they can adopt with official backing, which removes a layer of uncertainty from their choices.
The staging, key establishment first and signatures to follow, mirrors how several other authorities have introduced post-quantum algorithms. Key establishment addresses the more urgent harvest-now-decrypt-later risk, so prioritising ML-KEM makes sense. The 2026 evaluations of ML-DSA and SLH-DSA will complete the picture for signatures once CRYPTREC finishes its assessment.
Why it matters. CRYPTREC's updates give Japanese organizations an officially backed answer to which post-quantum algorithms to use, starting with ML-KEM. Because industry follows the Ciphers List, the additions ripple beyond government into the wider market. Teams can adopt the listed algorithms now for key establishment and watch the 2026 signature evaluations to complete their post-quantum toolkit.