Insider Brief:
- Jij Inc. and ORCA Computing have formed a strategic partnership to combine algorithm expertise and photonic quantum systems, with goals to develop advanced solutions for logistics, energy planning, and manufacturing optimization.
- ORCA’s room-temperature photonic quantum technology may provide practical advantages over ultra-cold systems, allowing seamless data center integration and addressing operational challenges like communication speed and cost.
- This collaboration aligns with Japan-UK geopolitical agreements, including the Hiroshima Accord, emphasizing joint innovation in quantum research and technology standardization through initiatives like JTC3.
- Jij plans to establish a UK subsidiary by spring 2025, strengthening its role in the UK quantum ecosystem and encouraging broader collaboration between researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers from both nations.
PRESS RELEASE — In a recent release, Tokyo-based Jij Inc. and London’s ORCA Computing announced a strategic partnership in quantum computing technology. As noted in the release, this collaboration will be the first comprehensive partnership between Japanese and UK quantum startups, blending Jij’s algorithm expertise with ORCA’s photonic quantum systems. The goals of the partnership include developing quantum solutions for logistics, energy planning, and manufacturing optimization.
“Recognizing the exceptional technical capabilities of both companies, we anticipate significant advancements in quantum computing commercialization through their future collaborative initiatives,” remarked Jingo Kikukawa, Director-General at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The collaboration builds on years of dialogue and mutual trust. “We have been in discussions with ORCA Computing since 2023,” said Hiroshi Nakata, COO of Jij. “Today’s announcement is built on the trust relationship that the staff of ORCA Computing and Jij have cultivated over time.”
Photonic for Both Practicality and Innovation
ORCA Computing’s photonic quantum technology operates at room temperature. As noted in the release, unlike superconducting quantum systems that require ultra-cold environments, photonic systems eliminate the need for external cooling, and may allow for more seamless integration into standard data centers. These characteristics can address challenges in communication speed, security, and operational costs.
Per Nyberg, Chief Commercial Officer at ORCA Computing, emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration: “The partnership with Jij represents a significant step toward the adoption of quantum computing in industry. We are confident that combining Jij’s extensive technological capabilities with enterprise applications with our PT-2 photonic system will accelerate the development of quantum solutions that bring real value to key industrial sectors in the near-term.”
This hardware-software integration exemplifies a quantum-classical hybrid approach that is being widely explored in order to redefine industrial computing, enabling more efficient energy planning, optimized production schedules, and advanced logistics strategies.
A Growing Framework for International Quantum Collaboration
The partnership aligns with a larger geopolitical context of Japan-UK collaboration in emerging technologies. The Hiroshima Accord, signed during the G7 Summit in 2023, explicitly called for cooperation in quantum research. This year, the establishment of JTC3—a global quantum technology standards committee chaired by the UK—further emphasized the nations’ commitment to encouraging innovation through unified standards.
John Edwards, Director of Investment at the UK Department for Business and Trade, lauded the strategic importance of the partnership: “This sort of international collaboration will help drive the UK’s quantum technology strategy and contribute to the development of a global quantum ecosystem.”
Such initiatives are not limited to governmental frameworks. Both Jij and ORCA have actively engaged with stakeholders through programs like the APAC UK Quantum Programme and UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, encouraging relationships between Japanese and British researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Expanding Horizons: Jij’s UK Subsidiary
As part of its commitment to the partnership, Jij plans to establish its first overseas subsidiary in the UK by spring 2025. This move reinforces its role in the UK’s quantum ecosystem and positions the company to scale its operations globally.
Shunsuke Okada, Executive Committee Chairman of Japan’s Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR), emphasized the partnership’s impact: “We are confident that this collaboration will significantly contribute to the development of quantum technology ecosystems in both the UK and Japan. The integrated approach to hardware and software is a crucial initiative to accelerate the practical implementation of quantum technology.”
Shaping the Global Quantum Future
This agreement not only highlights the growing synergy between Japan and the UK but also serves as an example of the role of international partnerships in advancing the global quantum ecosystem. By blending Jij’s expertise in algorithms with ORCA’s pioneering photonic systems, this collaboration could set a new standard for what quantum startups can achieve together.
