A Japanese superconducting quantum computer, fully designed and built with homegrown components and software, went live at The University of Osaka’s Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB). This achievement signifies Japan’s technological prowess in quantum computing, demonstrating the nation’s capacity to design, manufacture, and integrate a complete quantum system. Visitors to Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan will have the opportunity to interact with this cutting-edge technology through a dedicated exhibit.
The project, spearheaded by QIQB, along with RIKEN and leading Japanese companies such as ULVAC, ULVAC CRYOGENICS, e-trees.Japan, QuEL, QunaSys, Systems Engineering Consultants, TIS, and Fujitsu, achieved complete technological self-reliance by replacing previously imported components, such as the dilution refrigerator and pulse tube refrigerator with domestic alternatives. Furthermore, the entire software ecosystem, from front-end to back-end, is open-source and developed in Japan, leveraging the Open Quantum Toolchain for OPerators & USers (OQTOPUS).
We highlight this news as Richard Katz has repeatedly argued (and we agree) that while Japan still has world-class component manufacturers, e.g. supporting the iPhone, it has largely lost its capability to develop a fully integrated system. Hence the launch of a fully domestically produced quantum computer offers some hope that Japan can regain that edge.
AloJapan.com