A Japanese consortium of research partners including RIKEN, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Osaka University, Fujitsu Limited, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) have been recognized with the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award as part of the 53rd Japan Industrial Technology Awards. The group was recognized for the successful development of a high-performance computing platform that leverages Japan’s second domestically-made superconducting quantum computer.

Potential of Japan’s Quantum Computing

Specifically, the platform leverages Japan’s second domestically-made 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer. It has been offered on the cloud since October 2023 to promote its use for commercial industrial research and development. Fujitsu and RIKEN jointly developed the technology based on the first domestically-made 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer released in March 2023.

Mainly, the research group offered Japan’s first superconducting quantum computer under a joint research agreement for non-commercial use. This aims to promote and develop research and development in quantum computation and other fields. Also, RIKEN and Fujitsu unveiled Japan’s second superconducting quantum computer on the cloud for industrial research and development in 2021. This came two and a half years after they established the RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center. Specifically, this quantum computer was based on the first superconducting quantum computer technology they developed.   

These milestones highlight the rapid progress and innovative potential of Japan’s original quantum technologies. More importantly, they are now demonstrating the ability to withstand the demands of the first stages of industrial application. One particularly promising technology is the superconducting quantum bit chip design proposed by RIKEN. Specifically, it uses a unique three-dimensional mounting layout with scalability that can support expansion to the 1,000-qubit level.

Part of Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform

RIKEN and Fujitsu’s superconducting quantum computer is provided as part of a hybrid quantum computing platform that also supports Fujitsu’s 40-qubit quantum simulator. Specifically, this remains one of the largest scale simulators. ⁽¹⁾ Also, this platform implements a scalable cloud architecture that allows seamless operation of both quantum computers and quantum simulators. It aims to promote and accelerate the adoption and collaboration between various companies.

The platform was highly praised at the 53rd Japan Industrial Technology Awards for its technological capabilities (originality and advancement). Also, it was recognized for marking an important step toward the industrial use of quantum computers based on Japan’s unique quantum technology. Additionally, it was commended for its connection to efforts to expand the search for practical applications for quantum technology in various fields, like materials, finance, and drug discovery, by providing a combination of quantum computing and quantum simulators to companies to engage in joint research projects.

In the future, the platform is anticipated to stimulate further research and development of quantum applications. It is expected to accelerate the practical application of quantum computing technologies for both hardware and software, offering access to companies engaged in research in various fields.

The group will continue to promote the social implementation of quantum computing by leveraging the strengths of each organization.

[1] one of the largest scale simulators in the world: World’s largest permanent dedicated quantum simulator of state vector method (as of September 2023, according to Fujitsu)

-18 March 2024 –