Japan’s Quantum Technology and the Challenges of the Next Generation
Currently, much of Japan’s quantum technology development follows in the footsteps of news coming out of the United States. However, given that China is now considered to have surpassed the U.S. in certain aspects of quantum technology, it will be difficult for Japan to maintain its presence in the global quantum race under this passive approach. Simply following others will not be enough to win in the international competition for quantum technology supremacy.
At our company, we are taking on bold technological challenges that go beyond the current state of quantum technology. Our approach is akin to anticipating the next two or three moves in advance—an innovative strategy that major corporations often struggle to pursue due to their risk-averse nature. Overseas, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, there are startups engaged in similarly high-risk ventures. These companies secure large-scale funding, yet their success rates appear low due to the extreme difficulty of the technology. However, history suggests that breakthroughs and unexpected technological disruptions often emerge from such challenges.
Our Challenge
We are tackling two major technical hurdles:
- One-chip integration of control devices capable of operating at low temperatures
- One-chip integration of quantum bits (qubits) at a scale of millions, which is difficult with superconducting technology
Developing these technologies requires advances in both semiconductor design and manufacturing. Additionally, improving cryogenic refrigeration technology is essential. If these innovations are realized, the complex array of components currently seen in quantum computers will become unnecessary, and all processing will be handled on a single chip. As a result, quantum computers will become far more compact and significantly more practical.
The Need for Breakthroughs
While gradual, incremental improvements are one approach, having observed the limitations of current quantum machines for years, it has become clear that meaningful computations remain out of reach. If we continue relying on conventional development methods, we risk wasting years in stagnation.
Meanwhile, China is aggressively advancing in this field, and neither Japan nor the U.S. shows signs of catching up. To break free from this situation, it is imperative to move beyond conventional frameworks and aim for bold technological innovations.
The future of quantum computing will not be shaped by the mere extension of existing technologies, but rather by breakthroughs that push beyond conventional limits. Our company stands at the forefront of this challenge, striving to pioneer the next generation of quantum technology.