With news of the first commercial quantum computer installation in Japan, IBM is earning a gold medal for establishing international collaborations for quantum computing.
The The University of Tokyo will use the IBM Quantum System One, an integrated quantum computer system, to drive quantum research and development in Japan, namely in the areas of chemistry, optimization, and machine learning. IBM now has installed IBM Quantum System Ones on three continents.
This is the company’s latest step in a long and growing relationship with quantum researchers in Japan. In a blog post, the company reports that they launched a hub at Keio University in 2018. The University of Tokyo and IBM kicked off the Japan-IBM Quantum Partnership in 2019.
They write: “As part of this partnership, researchers in Japan will receive an IBM Quantum System One, to be installed at the Kawasaki Business Incubation Center at Kawasaki City. The aim of this partnership is to engage universities in Japan to accelerate quantum computing research and education, work with industry to advance research in practical quantum computing applications, and to develop commercial quantum computing hardware components.”
This installation is the latest example of momentum in a commercial quantum industry, the company reports.
“Whether or not quantum computing will make a difference is no longer in question. Instead, the question is how and when will the industry reach the pivotal milestone of Quantum Advantage – the point in which a quantum computer can solve a problem faster than a classical computer.”
