The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and IBM have launched Japan’s first IBM Quantum System One, featuring a 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor. This is the first utility-scale processor in the region, defined by IBM as a quantum computer capable of exploring new scales of problems. The Quantum Innovation Initiative (QII) Consortium will use the system for quantum research in various fields including bioinformatics, high energy physics, materials science, and finance. UTokyo’s Executive Vice President, Hiroaki Aihara, highlighted the potential of quantum computers to perform complex calculations beyond the capabilities of supercomputers.
Quantum Computing Advancements in Japan
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and IBM have announced the deployment of a 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor, now operational in Japan’s first IBM Quantum System One. This marks a significant step in quantum computing as it is the first utility-scale processor in the region. The Quantum Innovation Initiative (QII) Consortium, which includes scientists from various institutions, plans to use this new processor for quantum research in several fields, including bioinformatics, high-energy physics, materials science, and finance.
The term ‘utility-scale’ is used by IBM to describe the point at which quantum computers could serve as scientific tools to explore a new scale of problems. Earlier this year, IBM and UC Berkeley scientists published research demonstrating that quantum computers can produce results at a scale of more than 100 qubits, surpassing traditional computing approaches.
Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President, UTokyo, stated that this is the first time a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor is available for exclusive use with QII members outside North America. He highlighted that the limit of what can be simulated by a supercomputer is about 50 qubits, and the quantum computer allows for large-scale and complex calculations that would be impossible otherwise.
Quantum Research Collaboration in Japan
Since joining the IBM Quantum Network in 2019, UTokyo has been working to expand access to quantum computing in Japan. The Japan-IBM Quantum Partnership initiative, which included the QII Consortium in 2020, aims to foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government to advance Japan’s position in quantum science, business, and education.
With the new utility-scale IBM Quantum System One, UTokyo joins other organisations and universities in IBM’s working groups to advance the value of quantum computing. These groups focus on various areas including Healthcare and Life Sciences, High Energy Physics, Materials, and Optimization.
The Role of the University of Tokyo and IBM
The University of Tokyo is a top research university in Japan and globally. It has a vast research output across the arts and sciences, with around 6,000 researchers publishing in the world’s top journals. The university has a diverse student body of around 30,000 students, including over 4,000 international students. IBM is a global provider of hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting expertise. It builds quantum computers and is developing a machine with over 1,000 qubits on its quantum roadmap. IBM is also behind the most popular quantum framework named Qiskit, which is an open-source tool for developing quantum circuits on a variety of hardware – not just IBM.
Quantum Computing’s Potential Impact
The deployment of the 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor in Japan’s first IBM Quantum System One is expected to have a significant impact on various fields. Quantum computing has the potential to perform large-scale and complex calculations that are currently impossible with traditional computing methods. This could revolutionise fields such as bioinformatics, high energy physics, materials science, and finance.
The collaboration between UTokyo and IBM, along with the involvement of the QII Consortium, is expected to accelerate advancements in quantum science, business, and education in Japan. This could potentially position Japan as a leader in the global quantum computing landscape.
“For the first time outside North America, a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor is now available for exclusive use with QII members,” said Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President, UTokyo. “The limit of what can be simulated by a supercomputer is about 50 qubits, and it is possible to perform large-scale and complex calculations that would be impossible without a quantum computer. By promoting research in a wide range of fields and realizing social implementation of quantum-related technologies, we aim to make a broad contribution to a future society with diversity and hope.”
“By equipping UTokyo with a utility-scale IBM Quantum System s One, we are excited to collaborate with QII Consortium organizations on the problems which we anticipate will push the limits of today’s quantum systems and begin to extract scientific and business value,” said Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM Quantum.
Quick Summary
The University of Tokyo and IBM have launched Japan’s first IBM Quantum System One, equipped with a 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor, to advance quantum research in various fields including bioinformatics, high energy physics, materials science, and finance. This marks the first time a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor is available outside North America, offering the potential to perform large-scale and complex calculations beyond the capabilities of traditional supercomputers.
- The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and IBM have launched Japan’s first IBM Quantum System One, featuring a 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor.
- This is the first utility-scale processor in the region, defined by IBM as a quantum computer capable of exploring a new scale of problems.
- The Quantum Innovation Initiative (QII) Consortium, which includes UTokyo, will use the system for quantum research in various fields such as bioinformatics, high energy physics, materials science, and finance.
- Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President of UTokyo, highlighted that the quantum computer allows for large-scale and complex calculations beyond the capabilities of a supercomputer.
- Since joining the IBM Quantum Network in 2019, UTokyo has been expanding access to quantum computing in Japan.
- The Japan-IBM Quantum Partnership initiative, which includes the QII Consortium, aims to boost collaboration between industry, academia, and government to advance Japan’s leadership in quantum science, business, and education.
- Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM Quantum, expressed excitement about collaborating with QII Consortium organisations on problems that will push the limits of today’s quantum systems.