IBM and Riken introduce the first Quantum System Two in Japan powered by the Fugaku supercomputer to serve the global hybrid quantum-classical computing.

IBM already has more than one hundred arriving soon and is first abroad in cooperation with a national research lab of Japan (Riken). The milestone represents the worldwide introduction of the modular, utility-scale framework for quantum computing introduced in December 2023 by IBM.

The system is installed together with another one of the world-strength classical machines, Fugaku, that was installed by Riken. It incorporates the IBM 156-qubit Heron processor and cooling technologies. Such an arrangement is important to perform hybrid quantum-classical workflows, which are important in building quantum advantage, i.e., when quantum systems are much faster, cheaper, or more accurate than classical tools.

Jay Gambetta, IBM VP of quantum described the installation as a step forward into extending computational boundaries. Riken, Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato, focused on the mission of achieving the practicality of hybrid quantum computing in science and industry.

The sentiment among investors regarding IBM's retail stocks remained neutral, but trading activity increased significantly after the news. IBM is also the outright leader in the quantum space as they first offered viable scalable processors, software, and access to a global ecosystem as part of their roadmap and cloud platform.