Japan Accelerates Quantum Computing with Hitachi‑Intel Alliance and Qubitcore Startup

Hitachi Ltd. announced a partnership with Intel Corp. and the Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) institute to develop a silicon‑based quantum computer. Funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the project will design and fabricate quantum‑bit chips, pursue 3D packaging and cloud operation, and aims for a 100‑qubit prototype in fiscal 2028 and a 1,000‑qubit error‑correcting system by 2030.

Separately, Qubitcore Inc., an OIST‑spun startup, was also selected by NEDO for a research programme to create scalable micro‑optical resonator technology that connects ion‑trap quantum processors with light. Working from its Okinawa R&D centre between 2026 and 2028, the effort targets high‑density photonic interconnects to enable large‑scale, fault‑tolerant quantum computers.

Both initiatives reflect Japan’s push to commercialise quantum‑computing hardware by leveraging existing semiconductor processes and advanced photonic integration, with the goal of moving from laboratory demonstrations to industrial‑scale systems.