Quantinuum, a quantum computing company and RIKEN, a Japanese National Research and Development Agency, are expanding their partnership to develop quantum-AI computing applications and work toward building a fault-tolerant quantum computer with Japanese universities and suppliers.
According to a Quantinuum press release, the agreement follows the upgrade of Reimei, Quantinuum’s quantum computer installed at RIKEN, to its System Model H2. The system is part of the JHPC-quantum project, funded by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
The upgrade allows researchers to study more complex quantum systems that are difficult to simulate with conventional computers. The partners plan to combine quantum computing, high-performance computing (HPC) and AI for research in electronics, energy and life sciences. Two projects already underway use Reimei to investigate materials and biomolecules.
Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, CEO, Quantinuum, said, “Japan’s quantum ambitions require advanced capabilities today and a sustained commitment to developing what comes next. The upgrade to Reimei expands what we can explore with RIKEN across electronics, energy and life sciences. Together, we are building on this work to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer with Japanese universities and suppliers, while exploring with SoftBank how these capabilities can become accessible to industry through Japan’s AI data centers.”
“With the upgraded Reimei quantum computer, we will be able to tackle more complex and larger-scale scientific problems that were difficult to address with the previous H1 system, further advancing quantum–HPC hybrid computing through our ongoing JHPC-quantum project,” said Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato, Division Director, Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS). “Furthermore, the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding will pave the way for expanding our research into the use of quantum computing for AI for Science, a key initiative being promoted by RIKEN.”
In the materials research project, scientists are training an AI model on quantum data generated by Reimei to simulate magnetism. The model runs on RIKEN’s ROQUO GPU supercomputer. Preliminary results show more accurate predictions than models trained on classical simulations alone and more precise results than those produced by the quantum computer itself. The findings could help researchers develop materials for applications such as high-field MRI systems and power grids.
A second project combines Reimei, RIKEN’s Fugaku supercomputer and an NVIDIA evolutionary AI agent running on ROQUO to simulate a light-sensitive biomolecule. The research aims to better understand how biomolecules respond to light, with potential applications in solar cells and biomolecular engineering.
Under a separate agreement, Quantinuum, RIKEN and SoftBank will study how quantum computers could connect with AI data centers in Japan. The work will examine infrastructure requirements and the potential for commercial quantum-AI computing services. The project would focus on connecting quantum computing with existing AI and HPC infrastructure.
“Japan has established a strong foundation for hybrid quantum-HPC computing through the NEDO-supported JHPC-quantum project,” said Takenori Kobayashi, Vice President, Head Product Research & Development Division, SoftBank Corp. “Our responsibility is to turn these achievements into industrial value. Together with RIKEN and Quantinuum, we aim to advance a Quantum AI Datacenter that connects quantum computing with AI and HPC, making these capabilities accessible to businesses across Japan.”
The projects are part of RIKEN’s AI for Science initiative and align with broader US-Japan cooperation on AI-driven research, including a planned US$ 1 billion partnership under the US Genesis Mission. The partnership also includes work with Japanese universities and component suppliers on a fault-tolerant quantum computer. The project will draw on Quantinuum’s technology and Japan’s research and manufacturing capabilities, as well as experience operating Reimei at RIKEN.