D-Wave Hosts Inaugural Qubits Japan Conference Amid APAC Growth.

D-Wave Quantum Inc. reports a significant 83% increase in bookings for its annealing quantum computing technology across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region over the past 12 months, coinciding with growing adoption for complex challenges in artificial intelligence and business optimisation. Recent collaborative efforts include a pilot project with Japan Tobacco focused on quantum AI-driven drug discovery, building upon prior success in de novo molecular structure generation. NTT DOCOMO demonstrated a 15% reduction in base station congestion via quantum optimisation of its mobile network throughout Japan, potentially lowering infrastructure costs. Furthermore, D-Wave has established a strategic relationship with Yonsei University and Incheon Metropolitan City, with plans for Yonsei University International Campus to acquire a D-Wave Advantage2 system to accelerate quantum computing exploration and usage in South Korea; these developments were announced in conjunction with the inaugural Qubits Japan 2025 conference, hosted by D-Wave in Tokyo on September 17th.

APAC Quantum Expansion

D-Wave’s strategic initiatives and demonstrable growth in adoption are driving expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. Bookings for D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing technology within APAC have surged by 83% over the past year, signalling increasing organizational interest in leveraging the technology to address complex challenges spanning artificial intelligence and business optimisation.

This expansion is underscored by D-Wave’s inaugural Qubits Japan 2025 conference, scheduled for September 17th in Tokyo, designed to foster collaboration and showcase practical applications of their quantum systems. A key driver of this regional growth is the establishment of strategic partnerships with leading academic and industrial entities.

Yonsei University and Incheon Metropolitan City in South Korea are collaborating with D-Wave to accelerate quantum computing exploration and adoption, with plans to procure a D-Wave Advantage2 system for installation at Yonsei University International Campus. This investment will facilitate research into quantum algorithms and their application to real-world problems, fostering a skilled workforce and driving innovation within the South Korean quantum ecosystem.

The Advantage2 system, D-Wave’s current flagship offering, employs over 5000 qubits and is designed for solving complex combinatorial optimisation problems. Japan, specifically, is being prioritised as a focal point for D-Wave’s APAC expansion, as highlighted by CEO Alan Baratz, who noted the country’s growing importance within the global quantum landscape.

NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s largest mobile operator, has demonstrated tangible benefits from a quantum optimization pilot project in 2024, achieving a 15% reduction in congestion at base stations and potentially lowering infrastructure costs. This success showcases the practical applicability of the technology, emphasizing the region’s increasing investment and innovation in the field.