Japan has officially launched the world's most powerful supercomputer dedicated to quantum computing research. Known as ABCI-Q, the system is housed within the newly opened G-QuAT research centre in Tsukuba, operated by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
G-QuAT (Global Research and Development Centre for Business by Quantum-AI Technology) opened earlier this month with a mission to advance hybrid computing technologies that combine classical computing, such as AI, with quantum systems.
Its work is structured around three main goals: developing use cases for hybrid computing, supporting the quantum technology supply chain, and enabling large-scale qubit integration.
ABCI-Q runs on 2,020 Nvidia H100 GPUs, connected using Nvidia's Quantum-2 InfiniBand architecture, and integrated with CUDA-Q, Nvidia's hybrid orchestration platform.
It supports multiple quantum processors, including superconducting qubits from Fujitsu, a neutral atom system by QuEra, and a photonic processor by OptQC-enabling diverse hybrid workloads across different qubit technologies.
The machine's infrastructure includes 18 cryogenic systems supplied by Bluefors, built to support quantum computers with 1,000+ qubits and thousands of signal paths. G-QuAT has also partnered with IonQ to access its quantum systems via the cloud, bolstering research access and global collaboration.
The launch of ABCI-Q underscores Japan's ambition to lead in next-generation computing. The government of Japan has committed over ¥330 billion (£1.7 billion) to quantum initiatives between 2020 and 2024.
AIST says the project aims to boost national industrial competitiveness, expand scientific capabilities, and foster a skilled quantum workforce.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
,
