Japan’s Record-Breaking Internet Speed, In May 2025, Japanese researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) achieved a groundbreaking internet speed of 1.02 petabits per second (Pbps), setting a global benchmark for telecommunications. Meanwhile, in India, the Kanwar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage during the month of Shrawan (July–August 2025), has drawn attention for both its religious significance and controversies involving violence by some Kanwariyas, including assaults on hotel owners and vehicle damage. Reports of authorities showering rose petals on Kanwariyas in Varanasi have also sparked debate about state support amid these incidents. This article revisits Japan’s technological milestone, corrects any inaccuracies, and contrasts it with the social dynamics of India’s Kanwar Yatra, exploring the objectives, outcomes, and challenges of both.
Table of Contents
Japan’s Internet Speed Achievement: 1.02 Petabits per Second
Correction of Information: Initial reports accurately state that Japan achieved 1.02 Pbps over 1,808 km in May 2025. However, some sources incorrectly suggested this was tested in a real-world network, whereas it was conducted in a controlled lab environment using recirculating loops. Additionally, comparisons to average broadband speeds (e.g., U.S. at 290 Mbps, India at 63.55 Mbps) were based on 2024 data and may not reflect exact 2025 figures, though they remain illustrative.
The 1.02 Pbps speed—equivalent to 1 million gigabits per second or 125 terabytes per second—is a monumental leap, capable of:
- Downloading the entire Netflix library in a second.
- Transmitting over 10,000 4K movies simultaneously.
- Outpacing global broadband averages by millions of times (e.g., ~3.5 million times faster than 290 Mbps).
This achievement, led by NICT in collaboration with Sumitomo Electric Industries and international partners, reinforces Japan’s leadership in optical fiber technology.
How Japan Achieved This Feat
The record was set using advanced optical fiber technology and signal processing in a lab setting. Here’s a detailed breakdown, with corrections for clarity:
1. 19-Core Optical Fiber
The breakthrough relied on a 19-core multi-core fiber (MCF) developed by Sumitomo Electric. Unlike standard single-core fibers, this MCF contains 19 independent cores within a 0.125 mm cladding diameter, compatible with existing infrastructure. Each core serves as a separate data channel, creating a high-capacity “19-lane superhighway.” Correction: Earlier descriptions oversimplified the fiber’s design; the 19 cores are spatially distinct to minimize crosstalk, a critical engineering feat.
2. Advanced Amplification Systems
To maintain signal strength over 1,808 km, the team used custom amplifiers for the C-band and L-band light spectrums, boosting all 19 cores simultaneously. Correction: The test used recirculating loops (19 loops of 86.1 km, cycled 21 times) in a lab, not a real-world network, as some sources implied. This setup simulated long-distance transmission while controlling variables.
3. MIMO-Based Digital Signal Processing
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology corrected interference and crosstalk between cores. A 19-channel receiver processed the signals, achieving error-free transmission at 1.02 Pbps. Correction: MIMO was not adapted from wireless systems but specifically tailored for multi-core fiber optics, ensuring precision in signal separation.
4. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
DWDM enabled multiple data streams to travel over different light wavelengths within each core, maximizing bandwidth. This, combined with the 19-core design, drove the record-breaking throughput.
5. Infrastructure Compatibility
The 19-core fiber’s standard diameter ensures compatibility with existing cables, reducing deployment costs. Correction: While compatible, real-world adoption requires upgrades to routers and switches, which some reports overlooked.
Technologies Used
- 19-Core Multi-Core Fiber (MCF): 19 independent data channels in a standard-diameter fiber.
- C- and L-Band Amplification: Custom amplifiers for long-distance signal boosting.
- DWDM: Multiple data streams on different wavelengths.
- MIMO Signal Processing: Ensures error-free transmission across cores.
- Recirculating Loop Testbed: Lab-based simulation of 1,808 km transmission.
Benefits of Japan’s Breakthrough
The 1.02 Pbps achievement offers transformative benefits:
- Support for Emerging Technologies: Enables AI, 6G, VR/AR, and IoT by handling massive data traffic.
- Infrastructure Compatibility: Reduces deployment costs by fitting existing networks.
- Enhanced User Experience: Supports buffer-free 8K/16K streaming, lag-free gaming, and instant browsing.
- Scientific Advancements: Accelerates data sharing for medicine, climate science, and finance.
- Economic Growth: Spurs telecom innovation and global competition.
- Digital Equity: Could lower connectivity costs, though infrastructure investment remains a challenge.
India’s Kanwar Yatra: Religious Devotion and Social Tensions
The Kanwar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage where devotees (Kanwariyas) collect Ganges water for Lord Shiva, occurs annually in Shrawan (July–August). In 2025, the yatra has been marked by both reverence and controversy. In Varanasi, authorities showered rose petals on Kanwariyas, symbolizing state support. However, reports of violence, including assaults on hotel owners, looting, and vehicle damage, have raised concerns.
What India Is Achieving by Showering Roses on Kanwariyas
Correction: The rose petal showers, reported in Varanasi, were a symbolic gesture, not a nationwide policy. They reflect local government efforts to honor devotees, not a centralized strategy as some sources suggested.
- Cultural Reinforcement:
- Showering roses celebrates the yatra’s spiritual significance, reinforcing Hindu traditions and fostering community pride.
- It aligns with India’s cultural emphasis on religious festivals, enhancing the pilgrimage’s visibility.
- Political Support:
- State gestures strengthen ties with Hindu communities, a key political demographic. Correction: This is a local initiative, not necessarily a national political strategy, though it aligns with broader political trends.
- Economic Boost:
- The yatra attracts millions, boosting local economies through spending on food, lodging, and transport. Rose showers enhance the event’s appeal, drawing more pilgrims.
Controversies: Violence, Looting, and Vehicle Damage
Correction: Reports of violence were localized, primarily in Uttar Pradesh (e.g., Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad), and not representative of all Kanwariyas. The “Muskan incident” reference was unclear in earlier reports; it likely relates to a past event involving Kanwariya-related violence, not a specific 2025 incident.
- Assaults and Looting: Some Kanwariyas targeted roadside eateries, particularly Muslim-owned ones, forcing closures and, in some cases, looting or assaulting owners. This stemmed from directives (later stayed by the Supreme Court) to display owners’ names, sparking communal tensions.
- Vehicle Damage: In Muzaffarnagar, Kanwariyas damaged vehicles and assaulted a man after a minor collision, citing perceived disrespect. Correction: These incidents were isolated, not widespread, as some reports exaggerated.
- Preemptive Measures: Police in Muzaffarnagar issued notices to 1,200 suspected “miscreants” to curb violence, indicating proactive efforts to maintain order.
- Scale of Yatra: Over 4 crore Kanwariyas participated in 2025, with most completing the pilgrimage peacefully. Violent incidents involved a small minority.
What India Is Achieving Amid Controversy
India’s handling of the Kanwar Yatra reflects a complex balance of cultural celebration and social challenges:
- Cultural Pride vs. Communal Tensions:
- Rose showers aim to honor devotees but risk fueling perceptions of state bias, especially amid violence against minorities. Correction: The Supreme Court’s stay on name-display directives shows judicial efforts to mitigate communal divides, though enforcement remains uneven.
- Economic Gains vs. Losses:
- The yatra boosts local economies, but violence deters businesses, particularly targeted eateries, causing economic disruption.
- Public Order Challenges:
- Violence by a minority of Kanwariyas highlights enforcement gaps. Correction: Police measures (e.g., notices, increased security) show intent to control unrest, though implementation varies.
- Religious Identity:
- Some Kanwariyas view their actions as defending Hindu identity, as suggested by references to past incidents. This complicates efforts to promote inclusivity.
Comparing Japan and India
Japan’s 1.02 Pbps achievement is a unified, forward-looking effort to advance global connectivity, while India’s Kanwar Yatra reflects the challenges of managing a massive religious event in a diverse society.
- Japan’s Goal: Scalable, inclusive connectivity through innovation.
- Outcome: A lab-based milestone with global potential.
- Challenges: Technical and cost barriers to commercialization.
- India’s Goal: Celebrate religious heritage, boost local economies, and maintain political support.
- Outcome: Cultural reinforcement marred by localized violence and communal tensions.
- Challenges: Balancing devotion with public safety and inclusivity.
Future Prospects
Japan
- Commercialization: Develop affordable 19-core fibers and compatible hardware.
- Global Deployment: Test in real-world networks, including submarine cables.
- Accessibility: Reduce costs to bridge the digital divide.
India
- Enhanced Security: Deploy robust policing to prevent violence, with clear accountability measures.
- Inclusivity: Avoid divisive policies (e.g., name displays) and engage interfaith leaders to promote harmony.
- Public Education: Encourage respectful conduct among Kanwariyas to preserve the yatra’s spiritual essence.
- Judicial Oversight: Ensure compliance with court rulings to prevent communal escalation.
Conclusion
Japan’s 1.02 Pbps internet speed breakthrough, achieved through 19-core optical fibers and advanced signal processing, sets a new standard for global connectivity, promising benefits for AI, 6G, and beyond. In contrast, India’s Kanwar Yatra, while a vibrant expression of faith, faces challenges from localized violence and communal tensions, despite gestures like rose petal showers. By addressing enforcement gaps and promoting inclusivity, India can align the yatra’s cultural significance with social harmony, drawing inspiration from Japan’s disciplined pursuit of progress.
Sources:
- Japan’s Internet Speed:
- Interesting Engineering, May 30, 2025
- Economy Middle East, June 11, 2025
- SlashGear, July 14, 2025
- The Times of India, July 10, 2025
- NDTV, July 11, 2025
- Cybernews, July 4, 2024
- Kemotech, July 2, 2025
- Hindustan Times, July 4, 2024
- @MarioNawfal, May 31, 2025
- @BerryPulseM_Inc, July 11, 2025
- India’s Kanwar Yatra:
- Times of India, July 12, 2025
- The Hindu, July 11, 2025
- Times of India, July 10, 2025
- Navbharat Times, July 10, 2025
- @newslaundry, July 14, 2025
- @anilkus54843876, July 14, 2025
