Qubitcore Inc., headquartered in Yokohama City is participating in the second phase research and development project (FY2026-2030) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Moonshot Research and Development Program Goal 6, “to realize a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer that dramatically advances the economy, industry and national security by 2050” according to Program Director: Katsuhiro Kitagawa. The project aims to build “a fault-tolerant quantum computer realized with scalable, function-integrated ion traps and multiple optical connections” according to Project Manager Yuki Takahashi.
In this project, Qubitcore will be responsible for research and development tasks related to the development of ion trap quantum computer systems and quantum error correction experiments. The second phase research and development project in which Qubitcore is participating was selected under Goal 6 of the JST Moonshot Research and Development Program.
This project aims to build a 100-qubit quantum computer by 2030, demonstrating quantum error correction and logical operations, and establishing foundational technologies such as universal unit cells (UUCs) expandable to over 1,000 qubits and multiple optical connections. Building upon these, by 2050, the company aims to create a computing platform that will fundamentally transform the solution of societal challenges in areas such as new material development, drug discovery, and energy optimization, through the realization of a large-scale quantum supercomputer of the million-qubit class with multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) working in conjunction.
(Reference) Goal 6: Project Introduction by Project Manager Yuki Takahashi | Moonshot Research and Development Project
Qubitcore will develop a quantum computer system that integrates advanced functions such as optical connectivity via micro-resonators, near-field quantum gates using radio waves and microwaves, and optical distribution using optical circuits, which are being pursued in other tasks within this project, and expand this into more advanced error correction experiments.
“We are very pleased to be able to participate as a project leader for Qubitcore in the second phase of the Moonshot Research and Development Program, Goal 6. Building on the knowledge gained from developing ion-trap quantum computers in the previous Moonshot program, we will further advance research and development toward the realization of quantum computers capable of error correction,” said Project Leader Koichiro Miyanishi, Qubitcore Principal Researcher.
“Qubitcore will play a crucial role in this Moonshot project by building and operating a working ion trap quantum computer. We expect that Qubitcore’s participation will further accelerate the social implementation of ion trap quantum computers,” said Project Manager Yuki Takahashi, Associate Professor, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.
“For quantum computers to become a computing infrastructure that supports society and industry, not only is research and development of superior elemental technologies essential, but also the ability to integrate them and operate them as actual machines. Qubitcore is a startup that takes on this integration and implementation as its business, and is advancing research and development with the aim of realizing a distributed, fault-tolerant quantum computer. We consider it extremely significant that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the JST Moonshot Goal 6 Phase 2 Research and Development Project and to be responsible for the development of an ion trap quantum computer system and quantum error correction experiments. Through this project, we will connect our research results to a quantum computer system that is actually operational and contribute to the realization of a Japan-originated, fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer,” said Ryuta Watanuki, Representative Director and CEO, Qubitcore.
Qubitcore, Inc. is a quantum computing startup spun off from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), established in July 2024. Based on the research results of the Quantum Information Physics Experiment Unit (Takahashi Unit) led by Associate Professor Yuki Takahashi, Qubitcore is working on the development of a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer (FTQC) by realizing a distributed quantum computing architecture that fuses ion trap technology and optical quantum connectivity. Its headquarters are located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and its research and development base is located within OIST.
