University of Kwazulu-Natal

Riken Activates Japan S First Quantum Supercomputer Integration

Bonisiwe Shabane
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riken activates japan s first quantum supercomputer integration

Supercomputer Fugaku at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe (©Sankei by Yasuaki Watanabe) A newly installed IBM quantum computer officially began full-scale operations on June 24 at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe. In a groundbreaking initiative, it will operate in tandem with Japan's flagship supercomputer, Fugaku, with the goal of dramatically enhancing computational power and processing efficiency. This integration of quantum and classical computing is expected to accelerate innovation across a broad spectrum of fields, from drug discovery to cutting-edge materials research. Quantum computers harness the unique properties of subatomic particles like photons and electrons to perform complex calculations. Celebrated for their extraordinary potential, quantum computers are often said to solve problems in one minute that would take a supercomputer 100 years.

They are especially effective in quantum chemical calculations, helping scientists analyze the behavior of matter and chemical reactions at the molecular scale. On June 24, a ceremony was held at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) in Kobe, Japan, to mark the launch of collaborative operation of the supercomputer Fugaku and IBM Quantum System Two. R-CCS, in collaboration with SoftBank Corp., has launched a project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), titled... IBM Quantum System Two—equipped with the 156-qubit Heron superconducting quantum processor—has been installed at R-CCS. Consequently, “Quantum-Centric Supercomputing” operations utilizing both IBM Quantum System Two and the supercomputer Fugaku have been launched. This marks the first such deployment of IBM Quantum System Two outside of North America.

At the ceremony, opening remarks were given by the hosts: Makoto Gonogami, President of RIKEN; Akio Yamaguchi, President and CEO of IBM Japan, Ltd.; and Jay Gambetta, Vice President of IBM Quantum. Congratulatory addresses were given by Kisaburo Tokai, Chair of the Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the House of Representatives (former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology); Motohiko Saito,... Other attendees included Yasutoshi Nishimura, member of the House of Representatives Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry (former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry); Yoshihiro Seki, also a member of the Committee; Shinsuke Suematsu,... Also in attendance was Shigekazu Matsuura, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat and in charge of Research Promotion Bureau and Higher Education Policy Coordination at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology... Japan's Fugaku supercomputer has gained an edge following the installation of the Reimei quantum computer. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Here’s how it works. Engineers in Japan have switched on the world's first hybrid quantum supercomputer. The 20-qubit quantum computer, called Reimei, has been integrated into Fugaku — the world's sixth-fastest supercomputer. The hybrid platform will work to tackle calculations that can take classical supercomputers much longer to process. The machine, which is housed at the Riken scientific institute in Saitama, near Tokyo, will be used primarily for physics and chemistry research, representatives from Quantinuum, the makers of Reimei, and Riken said in... The IBM Quantum Heron processor, which powers the Quantum System Two, sets an industry benchmark.

With a two-qubit error rate across a 100-qubit layered circuit measured at 3x10⁻³ and the best two-qubit error rate at 1x10⁻³, it delivers a tenfold improvement in quantum fidelity over its predecessor, the IBM... Regarding speed, IBM Heron achieves 250,000 circuit layer operations per second (CLOPS), marking a significant increase from previous-generation processors. The performance enables the execution of quantum circuits that can't be simulated using traditional computers alone. The IBM Quantum System Two’s physical integration with the Fugaku supercomputer establishes the world’s first quantum-centric supercomputing facility. Linked at the fundamental instruction level via high-speed networks, the hybrid system allows IBM and RIKEN engineers to develop parallel workloads and ultra-low latency communication protocols. Quantinuum, the leading integrated quantum computing company globally, and RIKEN, Japan’s largest and most comprehensive research institution, have announced the successful installation of Quantinuum’s “Reimei” quantum computer at RIKEN’s Wako campus in Saitama, Japan.

RIKEN has meticulously designed, prepared, and delivered a state-of-the-art facility to house the trapped-ion quantum computer, laying the groundwork for future generations of high-performance quantum systems. The advanced machine is now fully operational, marking the beginning of a new era in scientific discovery and technological innovation. With the quantum computer installed at RIKEN’s world-class facility, researchers in Japan now have direct, on-site access to Quantinuum’s leading-edge quantum computing technology, known for offering the highest-performing systems in the world. Quantinuum’s hardware stands out as the only available system utilizing a distinctive architecture that physically moves qubits, providing new tools and capabilities not possible on other platforms. The system’s exceptional performance and reliability are reinforced by the stability of the facility’s world-class environment, purposefully designed, constructed, and maintained to enhance the full potential of Quantinuum’s quantum computers. Named “Reimei,” meaning “dawn” in Japanese, this powerful quantum computer represents the immense promise of quantum technology and integrated hybrid computational platforms.

The trapped-ion quantum computer from Quantinuum will work synergistically with RIKEN’s renowned Japanese flagship supercomputer Fugaku, forming a state-of-the-art quantum-HPC hybrid platform that aims to tackle computations beyond the reach of traditional supercomputers—signifying a... This groundbreaking installation is part of a visionary project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a national research and development agency under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The 20-qubit quantum computer has been integrated into the world's sixth-fastest supercomputer, Fugaku. Engineers in Japan have activated Reimei, the world’s first hybrid quantum supercomputer. The 20-qubit quantum machine has been integrated into Fugaku, the world’s sixth-fastest supercomputer. The hybrid system is designed to solve problems that classical supercomputers take much longer to process.

The machine is housed at the Riken scientific institute in Saitama, near Tokyo, and will primarily support research in physics and chemistry. Representatives from Quantinuum, the makers of Reimei, and Riken stated that integrating quantum computing with Fugaku is a major step forward in high-performance computing. Quantum computers have the potential to complete calculations in minutes or seconds that would take classical computers millions of years. However, until quantum computers become more reliable and scalable, scientists believe hybrid systems like Reimei-Fugaku can serve as an effective solution. First on-premise delivery of a Quantinuum system Quantinuum has successfully deployed its Reimei quantum computer at the Wako, Saitama, campus of Japanese research institute Riken.

The H1-Series ion trap system is now fully operational and will be used to accelerate quantum applications across physics and chemistry. Powered by Honeywell, the Quantinuum H1-1 ion trap quantum computer contains 20 fully connected qubits that sit across five Quantum Charged Coupled Device (QCCD) zones. The machine will work in tandem with Riken’s Fugaku supercomputer, creating what Quantinuum described in a statement as a “cutting-edge quantum-HPC hybrid platform designed to tackle computations that surpasses the capabilities of traditional supercomputers.” The installation of Reimei at Riken marks Quantinuum's first on-premise delivery of a system. The deployment was supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a national research and development agency under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

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