- MUFG Bank tests IOWN all-photonics network for near-instant IT system migration.
- Successful live data migration and long-distance replication enhance financial system resilience.
What happened: MUFG bank uses photonic technology for IT stability
Japan’s MUFG Bank, in partnership with NTT DATA and NTT WEST, has successfully tested the all-photonics network (APN) under the innovative optical and wireless network (IOWN) framework. The test demonstrated ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth data transfers, enhancing financial system resilience and disaster recovery.
A key breakthrough was live IT system migration between data centres with downtime under one second, ensuring uninterrupted banking operations. Additionally, long-distance database replication enabled financial data to be mirrored across 2,500 km, improving system reliability.
Banks require real-time, secure data transfers for compliance and performance. Traditional networks face latency and bottlenecks, limiting efficiency. By adopting photon-based networking, MUFG significantly reduces delays and boosts performance.
A 2024 IOWN global forum white paper highlighted photonic technology’s role in finance. In February 2025, a technical document provided a blueprint for MUFG’s proof-of-concept (PoC) testing.
Key PoC results:
- Live system migration – Successful IT system transfer within a 70km radius with downtime under one second.
- Long-distance database synchronisation – Reduced latency over 250km–2,500km, proving feasibility for geographically dispersed data centres.
Tom Winstanley, CTO of NTT DATA UK&I, emphasised the role of advanced digital infrastructure in finance transformation. Hidehiko Tanaka, head of technology at NTT DATA, confirmed that IOWN technology accelerates next-gen financial services.
Why it’s important
MUFG Bank’s adoption of IOWN technology enhances IT resilience, tackling regulatory compliance, cyber threats, and performance constraints.
Traditional IT struggles with real-time financial transactions, making data replication essential for seamless operations during outages, cyber incidents, or disasters. Near-instant system recovery strengthens security and business continuity.
With 2,500 km database synchronisation now viable, banks can deploy failover systems across vast distances without performance loss. Photon-based communication also reduces latency and minimises cyber risks, enhancing data security.
By integrating IOWN APN, MUFG and its partners set a new benchmark for secure, high-speed digital banking amid rapid financial sector transformation.
