IBM and RIKEN Launch Groundbreaking Quantum Computing Initiative in Japan

On June 23, 2025, International Business Machines Corp (IBM) and RIKEN, Japan's premier research institution, announced a significant advancement in the field of quantum computing with the unveiling of the first IBM Quantum System Two deployed outside the United States. This groundbreaking initiative represents a strategic collaboration between IBM and RIKEN and is part of a broader effort to integrate quantum computing with classical supercomputing capabilities.

The newly launched IBM Quantum System Two is co-located with RIKEN's Fugaku supercomputer, recognized as one of the most powerful classical computing systems in the world. This unique positioning allows for unprecedented synergy between quantum and classical computing, facilitated by a high-speed network connecting the two systems at the fundamental instruction level. The collaboration is backed by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

The integration of the IBM Quantum System Two and Fugaku is poised to empower researchers at RIKEN to explore advanced algorithms and tackle fundamental problems in chemistry and other fields. This partnership aims to leverage quantum-centric supercomputing approaches, pushing the boundaries of computational capabilities.

Central to the IBM Quantum System Two is the IBM Quantum Heron processor, featuring an impressive 156 qubits. This state-of-the-art processor boasts a two-qubit error rate of 3x10^-3, significantly surpassing its predecessor, the 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle, by a factor of ten. Furthermore, the Heron processor achieves a speed of 250,000 circuit layer operations per second (CLOPS), marking a tenfold improvement over the previous generation.

The Heron processor's capabilities enable it to execute quantum circuits that go beyond the reach of classical brute-force simulations. This advancement allows for more accurate modeling of complex systems, including significant challenges in chemistry, and represents a substantial step toward achieving quantum advantage—solving problems more efficiently than classical computers.

The official launch of the IBM Quantum System Two is set for June 24, 2025, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kobe, Japan. Key figures in the event will include RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami, IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum Jay Gambetta, and Akio Yamaguchi, General Manager of IBM Japan, among other dignitaries from local government and industry.

In his remarks, Jay Gambetta emphasized the transformative potential of quantum computing, stating, "The future of computing is quantum-centric, and with our partners at RIKEN, we are taking a big step forward to make this vision a reality." Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato from RIKEN also highlighted the mission of combining Fugaku and the IBM Quantum System Two to lead Japan into a new era of high-performance computing.

The introduction of the IBM Quantum System Two at RIKEN aims to expand upon previous collaborative efforts in quantum research. The focus will be on exploring practical quantum-HPC hybrid workflows that can be utilized by both the scientific community and industry. This initiative promises to deliver significant advancements in the understanding and application of quantum computing, as demonstrated by recent research featured in *Science Advances*.

As IBM continues to expand its global fleet of quantum computers, this collaboration with RIKEN sets the stage for future breakthroughs in science and technology, propelling both organizations into the forefront of quantum computing innovation.