The Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum–AI Technology (G‑QuAT) was established in July 2023 at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan’s leading research institution. G‑QuAT serves as a bridge between research and industrial deployment, functioning as a national implementation hub that connects universities, research institutes, startups, and large enterprises both within Japan and internationally.
Japan already has a well-established academic framework for quantum research, centered around the Quantum Innovation Hub (QIH) consortium. While QIH focuses on fundamental and academic research, G‑QuAT complements it by advancing real‑world applications, infrastructure development, and business innovation. Aligned with national policy, G‑QuAT has identified eight strategic focus areas—(1) international collaboration, (2) alignment with government programs, (3) industrial co‑creation, (4) supply chain development, (5) intelligence and foresight, (6) IP and standardization, (7) innovation and collaboration platforms, and (8) competitive ecosystem development. These efforts are aimed at achieving six strategic outcomes: nurturing global talent, collaborating with international leaders, expanding global markets, cultivating global startups, industrializing supply chains, and enhancing economic security.
Quantum technologies—especially quantum computing—are still in an early stage of development. Yet the field is unique in that basic science, applied research, engineering, and business innovation are already progressing in parallel. Technologies such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum cryptography are expected to fundamentally reshape the digital society. This makes international collaboration not only beneficial, but essential.
G‑QuAT has already established partnerships with more than 14 countries through memoranda of understanding and collaborative research projects. Our infrastructure and capabilities are open to partners committed to the responsible advancement of quantum technologies. We also actively contribute to international standardization efforts (e.g., ISO/IEC), helping to establish Japan’s presence in the global quantum arena.
Our center hosts a hybrid classical–quantum computing environment called ABCI-Q (ABCI: AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure). This platform integrates multiple quantum computers—including a superconducting quantum processor developed
by Fujitsu, a neutral atom quantum computer from QuEra, and a photonic quantum system from OptQC—with one of Japan’s most powerful GPU-based supercomputers with 2,020 NVIDIA H100 GPUs. The entire system is interconnected via high-speed interfaces, enabling seamless remote access and hybrid execution. This infrastructure is being utilized for the development of industry use cases in fields such as materials, finance, and logistics.
Beyond computing, G‑QuAT supports hardware innovation through shared testbeds for device and material evaluation. These facilities provide capabilities for superconducting circuit design, cryogenic measurements, and prototype fabrication—bridging the gap between R&D and scaled manufacturing. We assist both startups and established firms in accelerating their quantum-related business initiatives, while also contributing to the formation of robust quantum supply chains in Japan and beyond.
I have spent most of my career in semiconductor and integrated circuit research. Compared to the mature semiconductor industry, quantum technology may appear nascent in scale and structure. However, the pace of progress is rapidly accelerating. The year 2025 marks the centennial of quantum mechanics, with the publication of Heisenberg’s matrix mechanics in 1925. It is fitting that this year is celebrated as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Moreover, with recent advancements in hardware, algorithms, and applications, 2025 may well be remembered as the first true year of quantum industrialization.
Recent breakthroughs in quantum error correction and scalable architectures underscore that we are living in an Agile Dynamic Era—where basic research, applied development, social implementation, and even commercialization unfold simultaneously and influence one another in real time. This non-linear innovation model demands deep cooperation across academia, government, and industry, with shared risks and mutual gains.
At G‑QuAT, we aim to embody this agile and dynamic vision. We seek not only to lead Japan’s national efforts in quantum industrialization, but also to serve as a trusted and open platform for international collaboration.
We believe that quantum technologies will not emerge in isolation, and that global collaboration among research institutions, governments, and industries—working together with openness, trust, and shared responsibility—is essential for advancing this transformative field.
In this spirit, we look forward to deepening collaboration with ITRI and other partners across Asia and beyond. Together, by combining our respective strengths, we can co‑create the global quantum ecosystem that our societies and industries will rely on in the decades to come.
