Insider Brief
- JIJ and Kobe Steel have signed a framework agreement to establish a multi-year program aimed at advancing the adoption of quantum computing across the KOBELCO Group.
- The initiative includes the creation of a Quantum Center of Excellence focused on technology implementation, workforce development, and governance for quantum adoption.
- Initial projects will target materials development, production management, and process optimization to evaluate practical industrial applications of quantum computing.
Press release – JIJ Inc. (“JIJ”) today announced that it has signed a framework agreement with Kobe Steel, Ltd. (“Kobe Steel”) to advance the adoption of quantum computing technologies across the KOBELCO Group.
Under the agreement, the companies will launch a multi-year initiative to establish a Quantum Center of Excellence (“Quantum CoE”)*1 and support the practical use of quantum computing technologies across the KOBELCO Group.
Background
The KOBELCO Group operates across three core business areas: materials, machinery, and electric power. Across these businesses, the Group provides a diverse range of technologies, products, and services while addressing increasingly complex business challenges.
As social conditions and market trends continue to evolve, these challenges are expected to become even more complex. Traditional approaches based primarily on existing methods, experience, and accumulated knowledge alone are no longer sufficient. For future business growth, the KOBELCO Group aims to strengthen its ability to solve these challenges and create new business opportunities.
Quantum computing is an emerging technology with the potential to solve complex problems involving large numbers of combinations and constraints that have traditionally been difficult to handle. Across industries, companies are also exploring its potential applications in areas such as machine learning, data analysis, and CAE*2-based design and simulation.
At the same time, practical use requires more than new technology foundations. It also requires talent development and organizational capabilities, which cannot be built overnight. Based on this view, Kobe Steel has determined that it is important to take a systematic approach from an early stage to adopting and applying quantum computing technologies. The companies will therefore advance this initiative together over multiple years.
Overview of the Initiative
The initiative will focus on the following areas:
Technical Implementation – JIJ and Kobe Steel will verify the applicability of quantum computing technologies and advance technology development through real-world projects, particularly in areas such as materials development, production management, and process optimization.
Talent Development and Building Internal Expertise – The program will support the development of talent capable of applying these technologies in practical business settings, while building and sharing practical knowledge across the KOBELCO Group.
Foundations and Governance – The companies will develop rules, business processes, and next-generation computing foundations to enable continued use of these technologies across the KOBELCO Group.
During the first year, the program will focus primarily on materials development, production management, and process optimization. Specific target themes include materials design and development that balances conflicting properties, as well as production planning under multiple processes and constraints—areas where conventional methods can be difficult to apply.
Rather than limiting the effort to standalone verification activities, JIJ and Kobe Steel aim to gradually expand the application of quantum computing technologies across the KOBELCO Group and create the conditions for sustained use in ways that contribute to the Group’s business growth.
JIJ’s Role in the Initiative
JIJ develops and implements technologies in quantum computing and mathematical optimization, with a focus on industrial applications. Through its activities in quantum computing industry networks in Japan and overseas, as well as participation in national research and development projects, JIJ has built extensive expertise in applying these technologies to practical business challenges.
JIJ’s strengths include translating complex challenges into computable models, implementing them as algorithms, and applying these technologies through real-world projects.
Leveraging these strengths, JIJ will support Kobe Steel as a co-creation partner to apply quantum computing technologies across the KOBELCO Group and contributing to the creation of new business opportunities.
Future Outlook
Under its current Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2024–2026), the KOBELCO Group has set a goal of transforming into a more attractive company and is promoting “KOBELCO-X”*3 as part of this transformation.
This program will be implemented in stages over multiple years with the aim of supporting the future industrial use of quantum computing technologies. It also aligns with the KOBELCO Group’s approach to AX (Ambidexterity), which balances the enhancement of existing businesses with the exploration of new business opportunities.
By supporting the development of an advanced technology foundation within the KOBELCO Group, JIJ will help enhance existing businesses and create new value through its expertise in quantum computing technologies and mathematical optimization.
