Sen. Tammy Duckworth landed in Japan early Wednesday on a trip aimed at bolstering Illinois’ relationships around quantum technology, supply chain and national security.

And a huge focus is beating China in the race to create a functioning quantum computer.

The trip marks Duckworth’s 12th trip to Asia and 14th congressional member delegation trip since 2018. Her trip began in South Korea with a meeting with SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, whose SK Group and its subsidiary companies announced plans to invest $52 billion in the U.S. in semiconductor, green energy and biotech projects.

Duckworth also visited U.S. military bases in South Korea and met with ship builders to discuss potential joint ventures to build and repair noncombatant vessels for the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific.

She described th

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