- IBM (IBM, Financial) and RIKEN unveil the first IBM Quantum System Two outside the U.S., marking a significant quantum computing milestone.
- Equipped with a 156-qubit IBM Quantum Heron processor, the system boasts tenfold improvements in both error rate and computational speed.
- Integration with the supercomputer Fugaku enables pioneering quantum-classical hybrid computing for advanced research.
IBM (IBM) has partnered with Japan's RIKEN to launch the first IBM Quantum System Two located outside the United States, a significant milestone in the global expansion of quantum computing. The newly deployed system is powered by IBM's state-of-the-art 156-qubit Quantum Heron processor, which exhibits a two-qubit error rate of 3x10-3, ten times better than its predecessor, and supports 250,000 circuit layer operations per second (CLOPS), marking a tenfold improvement in processing speed.
Strategically co-located at RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan, the Quantum System Two is integrated with Fugaku, one of the world's most powerful classical supercomputers. This integration fosters a unique quantum-centric supercomputing environment, allowing for the development of advanced quantum algorithms and exploration of complex chemistry problems that surpass the capabilities of classical simulations alone.
Supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), this collaboration aims to advance practical quantum-HPC hybrid workflows for scientific and industrial applications. Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato, Division Director at RIKEN, emphasized the potential of the integrated systems to lead Japan into a new era of high-performance computing.
The official launch took place on June 24, 2025, in Kobe, with IBM and RIKEN officials highlighting the strategic importance of this development. This installation strengthens IBM's leadership in the quantum computing field and serves as a powerful innovation testbed poised to accelerate research across various disciplines, including chemistry and materials science.
