Japan to Develop the Most Advanced Superconducting Quantum Computer

Fujitsu will collaborate with RIKEN (RIKEN) and other institutions to develop a superconducting quantum computer with the world’s highest computing power by 2030. This goal will be achieved by minimizing failures, including by improving cooling methods, which have previously been problematic. Quantum computing technology, which can be applied to new drug development and materials research, is in fierce competition, with China and the United States at the forefront. From the perspective of economic security, the importance of domestic production in Japan is growing.

Fujitsu will collaborate with RIKEN and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to develop a new quantum computer with a world-leading computing power of approximately 250 logical qubits. The current state-of-the-art model, which IBM aims to complete by 2029, is expected to surpass Fujitsu’s quantum computer by 25%.

Fujitsu will utilize cutting-edge technology known as superconductivity. Superconductivity is a technique that eliminates electrical resistance by cooling a device to extremely low temperatures. Fujitsu is considering shifting from reliance on overseas sourcing for key components such as refrigerators to domestic manufacturers. IHI and Taiyo Nippon Sanso are reportedly among the potential partners.

Achieving high performance in refrigerators presents a challenge, as their size remains a challenge. Fujitsu will optimize the wiring connecting tiny components and control devices to improve performance while still fitting them within a single refrigerator.

Fujitsu is also researching high-efficiency computing technologies to complement hardware performance. It will utilize the “STAR architecture,” developed jointly with Osaka University, to independently control computing elements.

In 2024, Fujitsu has confirmed that a quantum computer developed using the STAR architecture will be able to complete calculations in approximately 10 hours that would take current supercomputers five years. Fujitsu aims to surpass the computing speed of competing products through a dual-step approach in both hardware and software.

Additionally, energy conservation during the computing process and reduction in manufacturing costs are key challenges. Fujitsu will also focus on reducing the number of devices and circuits required for the quantum computer, achieving a more compact control system.

Fujitsu participated in the development of the Fugaku supercomputer, hailed as the world’s fastest supercomputer, and has also collaborated with RIKEN in the field of quantum computers, continuously developing its technology. In 2023, Fujitsu became the first Japanese company to achieve operational quantum computing. In April 2025, it successfully launched a machine with performance exceeding IBM’s existing model, and plans to develop an even more advanced model in 2026.

Quantum computers are highly anticipated and are believed to trigger major technological revolutions in industry. Their current applications have expanded from new drug development and new materials research to various fields, including finance and electric vehicles (EVs). However, the road to practical application is still arduous, with issues such as a high number of computational errors.

The competition for technological dominance, led by China and the United States, is intensifying over cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance semiconductors.

Against the backdrop of economic security concerns and US tariffs, countries are accelerating the trend toward technological blockade and localization. The Japanese government is also supporting the development of domestic quantum computers, including Fujitsu’s new machine.

Fujitsu is reportedly set to receive approximately 10 billion yen in subsidies from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

In addition to superconducting quantum computers, there are various other types, including trapped ion, neutral atom, and photon. Numerous startups and major global technology companies are investing in this field. Among them, the superconducting method, which IBM and Google are focusing on developing, is considered to have the greatest potential. As practical applications progress, the global quantum computer market is expected to expand, along with related industries.