Japan's second quantum computer has been successfully developed. Fujitsu and research institute Riken are at the forefront of the latest technological advancement, Reuters reported.
According to Nikkei Asia, quantum computers are designed to perform computations over 100 million times as fast as supercomputers, potentially solving complex problems in chemistry and materials science fields that are out of reach today.
Fujitsu also claimed that quantum computers can accurately predict the properties of new materials, drugs, and physical principles. The company noted that a wide range of possibilities can be pursued with quantum computers.
Fujitsu and Riken's 64 qubit quantum computer will be integrated with a 40 qubit quantum computer simulator as researchers continue to work to remove the errors that prevent such systems from giving accurate results.
Shintaro Sato, head of Fujitsu's quantum laboratory, said Thursday that this development was a "kind of a first or second step" since "we still have a long way to go."
Japan's Fujitsu Joining Quantum Computer Global Race
Fujitsu reportedly worked with Riken and NTT to develop the new quantum computer, while the Japanese government provided financial support.
IBM and Google's parent company, Alphabet, are some of the big investors working on developing quantum computers. Sato noted that big overseas firms like Google "may appear to lead in the field, but there's room for us to compete."
Japan's first quantum computer started operating in March at the Riken BioResource Research Institute in Wako, Saitama Prefecture. The country aims to stay ahead of its rivals by concentrating on the practical use of such computers. The Japanese government and Riken are currently working to complete a more than 100 qubit quantum computer in 2025.
According to Reuters, different startup companies have also joined the race. Among these firms is PsiQuantum, which aims to deliver its first commercial quantum computing system in six years.
PsiQuantum Chief Executive Jeremy O'Brien earlier said that "the first system that's actually capable of solving important problems that people want to know the answer to" was "certainly less than six" years away.
This timeline was announced after the startup's significant "breakthroughs" and partnerships with chip manufacturing partner GlobalFoundries and the US Department of Energy.
PsiQuantum's partnership with the Department of Energy will reportedly allow the company to use SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory facilities to design the fridges or "cryogenic quantum modules" necessary for developing quantum computers running at temperatures close to zero.
Read Also : Google Quantum Computer Is '47 Years' Ahead of the World's Top 1 Supercomputer: Here's What You Need to Know
US and China's Efforts in Developing Quantum Computers
Governments, including the US and China, are pouring money into research for quantum computers. However, US President Joe Biden is reportedly moving to obstruct some US investment in Chinese efforts to develop the technology.
Reuters reported that Biden signed an executive order in August that prohibited certain new US investments in China in sensitive technologies like computer chips. The order also requires government notification in other tech sectors.
The reason for the ban was to ensure that countries like China would not undermine US national security. The Biden administration noted that emerging technologies like AI or quantum computing could be used to enhance China's military modernization and intelligence capabilities.
According to China Power, China is redoubling its efforts to compete and lead in cutting-edge strategic technologies. As part of its latest national economic blueprint, "the 14th Five Year Plan," Beijing will invest heavily in the emerging field of quantum technologies.
Japan, the US, and China remain at the forefront of the race towards quantum computing, estimated by the Boston Consulting Group to create $850 billion annually by 2040.
