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FROM THE EDITOR.

We hope you’ve had a productive week back — many of you returning from an extended weekend holiday.

I can see the quantum ecosystem in Japan didn’t take a holiday. I missed the online press briefing on this — which I’ll blame mainly to time zone differences, along with my chronic confusion over 24-hour time and shaky math skills — but Fujitsu and RIKEN dropped quite the bombshell this week when the teams rolled out a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer — quadrupling their previous system. You can read more about this in our breakdown below, but the machine is noted its clever 3D architecture that could makes it easier to scale. It also fits into the same fridge used for their older 64-qubit version, thanks to upgraded cooling and control systems. In short: it’s smarter, colder, and more compact.

I don’t want to make this a specs race. But this move signals that Japan’s deep technical bench and strong institutional support are translating into working systems with real-world potential.

Broader brush, Asia offers accelerants for quantum ecosystem growth: involved governments, top research universities and a tech-savvy, engineering-friendly society that are constantly among the early adopters of new technologies.

Be prepared to hear more from this unique Fujitsu-RIKEN partnership, Japan and this region in general as quantum continues to heat up.

Have a great weekend!

— Matt, Chief Content Officer at The Quantum Insider

INSIDER BRIEF.

• 2025 Q1: Quantum Startups Secure $1 Billion+

• IonQ’s Asian Connection Deepens

• Aquark Rolling in the Deep

• Innovate UK’s Funds Advancing Quantum

• India and Italy Talk Quantum Connections

• Diraq Demonstration

• Oxford Instruments NanoScience’s Big Fridges

• Quantum Strategy Payoff

• Quantum Games

• Theoretical Need

• New Species in Quantum Zoo

• Spain Launches $860 Million Quantum Initiative

• Finland Publishes Its National Quantum Strategy

ANALYST NOTES.

The Noteworthy & Nuanced

More quantum headlines across the globe this week! Japan’s Fujitsu and RIKEN have unveiled their new 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer (as 4 64-qubit systems in a trench coat). The system will support research in areas such as quantum error correction and molecular modeling. With global availability planned in fiscal 2025, the platform aligns with Japan’s Quantum Leap Flagship Program and puts Japan’s physical qubit count on par with other superconducting systems.

Poland doesn’t always make it to our weekly news roundup. But when it does, it’s because IQM will deliver Poland’s first superconducting quantum computer to Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The 5-qubit IQM Spark system will support academic research and education, with deployment expected in the second quarter of this year. There’s hope that this initiative will strengthen Eastern Europe’s quantum ecosystem, where access to real hardware remains limited.

Spain, on the other hand, is fueling its quantum train to hit 88mph. The country launched its first National Quantum Technologies Strategy, committing over €800 million through 2030 to advance quantum computing, communication, and sensing. The initiative, announced at the OECD Global Technology Forum, seeks to enhance national and EU-wide digital sovereignty. — Alan Kanapin, Analyst at The Quantum Insider

The Research Rundown

There are things in life that are undeniable. Such is the general progression of events in time. Rarely are things grand and immediate, as if spontaneously generated out of the fabric of reality itself. Much more often, if not practically always, there is a gradual way to things, the universe taking its time to weave what is not yet ready. Such is the way with quantum technology, and this week a solid example of such things.

While we hold our breath in anticipation of waking up to sudden quantum advantage, to the promise of applications set to deliver clean drinking water, personalized medicine, or pharmaceuticals for our greatest, unanswered medical mysteries, there is much to be said about the small pieces that must come first.

In the quantum materials world, twisted molybdenum ditelluride revealed over a dozen hidden states, including magnet-free fractional quantum Hall effects that could one day shelter non-Abelian anyons. No magnets. Just geometry and quantum forces reminding us subtly that before grand machines come the materials they will be made from.

On the manufacturing side, a team from Tsinghua reframed semiconductor defect detection as a quantum inference problem. Instead of brute force, they used quantum Bayesian methods to listen for patterns others miss—an act of translation, turning broken wafers into readable maps. A glimpse at the computational infrastructure quantum systems will need to sustain themselves in real-world industries.

And biology, too, was present. Researchers applied quantum classifiers to immunology, attempting to predict which parts of viruses might trigger an immune response. Early steps, but necessary ones as modeling biological complexity is a form of informational infrastructure.

Taken together, these are stories of infrastructure, of the materials, methods, and models, the slow, steady crossings through noise that must come before the grandiosity of full-scale quantum applications. Cierra Choucair, Journalist & Analyst at The Quantum Insider

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INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: Japan’s Fujitsu and RIKEN Unveil 256-Qubit Superconducting Quantum Computer, Quadrupling Processing Power

➡️ Fujitsu and RIKEN have unveiled a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer, quadrupling their prior system’s capacity and demonstrating Japan’s growing role in the global quantum computing race.

➡️ Built on a modular 3D architecture, the machine groups qubits into scalable four-qubit units and fits within the same dilution refrigerator as its 64-qubit predecessor—showcasing a compact, efficient design optimized for future expansion.

➡️ Enhanced cooling systems and tightly integrated control circuits enable stable operations at cryogenic temperatures, supporting quantum error-correction tests and large-scale simulations such as complex molecular modeling.

➡️ The system will launch globally in fiscal 2025 as part of a hybrid platform blending classical and quantum computing, backed by Japan’s Quantum Leap Flagship Program and deployed via the RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center.

➡️ Japan’s government-supported effort positions the country for long-term leadership in superconducting quantum systems, with a 1,000-qubit follow-up already in development and planned for installation in 2026.

Analyst Commentary

Fujitsu and RIKEN’s unveiling of a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer is more than a technical benchmark — it signals Japan’s strategic intent to become a global leader in quantum technology. With a population of highly skilled scientists and engineers, Japan possesses some of the key the ingredients for a thriving quantum ecosystem. This week’s announcement shows the infrastructure is catching up.

Some aspects of this installation that are particularly noteworthy: The machine’s scalable unit cell design, advanced thermal engineering and hybrid-classical integration demonstrate real progress in a field where many systems remain limited to laboratory demonstrations. Fujitsu and RIKEN’s use of a 3D qubit layout that avoids full redesigns for scaling is especially notable — a practical solution to one of quantum computing’s most persistent architectural hurdles.

Japan’s commitment to superconducting architectures reflects a mature, technically grounded path to scale. The machine lays the groundwork for critical next steps, allowing researchers to test complex algorithms and benchmark error-correction protocols under near-operational conditions.

This development comes at a moment when global players are intensifying efforts in quantum computing for pharmaceutical modeling, financial forecasting and advanced materials. By positioning the new system within a hybrid quantum-classical framework, Fujitsu and RIKEN have tapped into one of the most practical strategies for delivering near-term value from quantum systems — leveraging classical tools while quantum matures.

What sets Japan apart in this case is the combination of long-term national planning, sustained government funding and deep institutional collaboration. Supported by MEXT and rooted in the Quantum Leap Flagship Program, the project benefits from leadership by veteran researcher Yasunobu Nakamura, a central figure in Japan’s quantum computing story since 2018.

While a significant step, the team says this is just the beginning. The organizations are already planning a 1,000-qubit system for installation in 2026, signaling that this is not a one-off announcement but part of a structured roadmap. Japan’s ability to convert scientific rigor into scalable, commercial-grade systems is becoming clearer — and harder to overlook.

Some press reports have painted the release of this platform as a turning point for Japan’s role in the quantum economy. I think that misses the point: it’s a natural step in the growth and evolution of this country’s quantum potential. It’s not just about building more powerful machines, but about bringing reliable, reproducible and service-ready systems to market. This has historically been a strength of the Japanese technological ecosystem. Quantum may still be in its early innings globally, but with this step, Japan has firmly claimed its seat at the table.

DATA SPOTLIGHT.

Oxford researchers have demonstrated a 25-nanosecond controlled-Z (CZ) gate with 99.8% fidelity, making it one of the fastest and most accurate two-qubit gates to date. Using a simplified superconducting circuit design with opposite anharmonicity qubits, they eliminated the need for tunable couplers, reducing hardware complexity. The team leveraged a third quantum state to achieve a √2 speed-up, confirming it experimentally. This result pushes gate performance well into fault-tolerant territory without sacrificing simplicity, marking a major milestone for scalable quantum computing.

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS.

🤑 Private investment in quantum computing surged to over $1.2 billion in Q1 2025, driven by major late-stage funding rounds and signaling growing confidence in commercial viability. The sector is maturing, with capital consolidating around fewer companies focused on scalable hardware, orchestration platforms, and post-quantum cybersecurity.

🤝 IonQ and EPB of Chattanooga announced the creation of the EPB Quantum Center, which will house an IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer and establish Chattanooga as the first U.S. hub for both quantum computing and networking. The partnership will support quantum training and application development, as well as real-world quantum innovation and economic growth in Tennessee.

🎒 PsiQuantum donated $10,000 to Bowen High School on Chicago’s South Side to support its quantum science curriculum, funding hands-on tools like VR gear and drones while expanding maker spaces and engineering programs.

🤝 India and Italy signed a new scientific cooperation agreement to advance joint research in quantum technology, AI, and biotechnology, supporting 10 mobility projects and 10 major collaborations from 2025–2027.

🇺🇸 The Trump administration is positioning quantum technology as a strategic asset for national security, infrastructure protection, and space exploration, with agencies like DOE, DHS, and NASA testing early applications in sensing and communications.

⛰️ Colorado is laying the foundation for a statewide quantum ecosystem by launching a K–12 quantum education blueprint, expanding teacher training, and aligning technical career pathways with industry needs.

🫰 Mesa Quantum Systems received a $100,000 grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to expand operations in the state and develop chip-scale quantum sensors for navigation in GPS-denied environments.

🖥️ Fujitsu and RIKEN have unveiled a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer, using a scalable 3D architecture and enhanced cooling to support advanced molecular modeling and error correction research. Set for global rollout in fiscal 2025, the system is part of Japan’s Quantum Leap Flagship Program.

💰️ UbiQD has raised $20 million in Series B funding to scale its quantum dot manufacturing and infrastructure, with plans to establish a global supply chain for next-gen quantum materials.

💸 Rigetti UK has been awarded £3.5 million through Innovate UK’s Quantum Missions to advance quantum error correction on its upgraded 36-qubit superconducting system at the NQCC, in collaboration with Riverlane and NQCC experts. The company also received funding for two additional projects focused on scalable QEC and open-architecture testbeds.

🖥️ TreQ and partners have received £1.65 million from Innovate UK to develop a modular Open Architecture Quantum Testbed, designed to support multiple hardware-software configurations and accelerate quantum technology commercialization. The system will provide a common interface for low-level workflows and enable rapid testing across diverse quantum platforms.

🗾 IonQ has partnered with Toyota Tsusho to distribute its quantum computing and networking technologies across Japan, marking its official market entry and securing a first local customer deal. The collaboration leverages Toyota Tsusho’s extensive enterprise network and expands IonQ’s presence in the APAC region, complementing its global strategy spanning the U.S., Europe, and South Korea.

🇵🇱 IQM Quantum Computers will deliver Poland’s first superconducting quantum computer, a 5-qubit IQM Spark system, to Wrocław University of Science and Technology, with operations starting in the second quarter of 2025.

🇪🇸 Spain launched its first National Quantum Technologies Strategy, committing over €800 million through 2030 to advance research, commercialization, and public engagement across quantum computing, communication, and sensing. The plan is designed to strengthen Spain’s digital sovereignty and build a coordinated quantum ecosystem.

🇫🇮 Finland has released a national quantum technology strategy outlining eight measures to strengthen its global position in quantum computing, sensing, and secure communications, with a focus on education, infrastructure, and industry access rather than large-scale state aid. Key initiatives include establishing a national quantum competence center, expanding hybrid quantum-classical-AI platforms, and promoting EU-aligned standards.

EVENTS.

May 13-14 -- The Economist Impact's 4th Annual Commercialising Quantum Global 2025 at London UK. Be among 1000+ leading quantum professionals, global leaders, policy makers, business executives and more to attend this in-person event in London.

May 14-15 -- Q2B Tokyo 2025 The conference will cover a broad range of quantum technology themes including QC Computing, Communications & Sensing, Quantum AI, Error Correction, & Quantum in HPC.

May 20-22 -- Join us for the 3rd annual IQT Nordics, May 20-22, 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and contribute to scaling quantum computers towards real world applications.

May 26 -- Grand Opening: QAI Ventures Accelerator Batch III Switzerland. Join us at uptownBasel to celebrate the launch of our third startup cohort and kick off the QAI Ventures Accelerator in true QAI style: Come for the vision. Stay for the rooftop vibes.

June 9-12 -- Adiabatic Quantum Computing (AQC) 2025 Conference will be held at the campus of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada from June 9-12, 2025. The AQC conference series, now in its 14th year, is an annual international gathering of researchers working on diverse aspects of quantum computing.

June 18-19 -- Quantum Now|ICI Quantique will be held in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

September 24-25, 2025 -- Q2B25 Paris at Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Paris, France.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1 -- Quantum.Tech Europe is taking place in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The event will bring together the whole quantum supply chain to drive forward the commercial applications of Quantum Technologies.

October 8 -- The Fifth Anniversary of The City Quantum & AI Summit at the Mansion House in the City of London takes place this year with the subtitle Race for Growth.

Dec. 1-4 -- QUEST-IS 2025 Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services From Quantum Engineering to Applications for Citizens. EDF Lab, Paris-Saclay, France