Insider Brief
- QuEra Computing has deployed its first quantum computer outside its labs at Japan’s AIST in Tsukuba, marking a milestone in Japan’s national quantum strategy and supporting the new G-QuAT quantum-AI research center.
- The gate-based neutral-atom system is co-located with the ABCI-Q supercomputer, forming a hybrid quantum-classical platform aimed at advancing applications in drug discovery, logistics, and climate modeling.
- The installation reflects growing global demand for QuEra’s architecture, following major contracts and a $230 million funding round backed by Google, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Valor Equity Partners.
PRESS RELEASE – QuEra Computing, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, has officially installed its first quantum computer outside of its own labs – a historic deployment at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba. This gate-based neutral-atom computer is a key step in Japan’s ambitious national quantum strategy and supports the launch of the new G-QuAT quantum and AI research centre.
QuEra was awarded a contract by AIST to supply the system, which is now deployed alongside the NVIDIA-powered ABCI-Q supercomputer. This positions QuEra at the heart of a cutting-edge hybrid quantum-classical computing platform and represents a foundational element of Japan’s drive toward practical applications of quantum computing in areas such as drug discovery, logistics, and climate modelling.
The milestone also coincides with a significant endorsement. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the G-QuAT facility, declaring 2025 “the first year of quantum industrialisation”.
“We are honored to contribute to Japan’s exciting quantum agenda”, said Takuya Kitagawa, President, QuEra. “This is not only our first on-premises deployment globally, but also a symbol of the collaborative energy between government, academia, and industry. Together, we are laying the groundwork for impactful scientific breakthroughs through hybrid quantum computing.”
QuEra’s system is based on its scalable gate-based neutral-atom architecture – a promising modality that operates at room temperature and offers a practical path to large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing. The installation in Japan follows the company’s recent contracts with the UK’s national quantum programme and a $230 million funding round by Google, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Valor Equity Partners, and others.
