IBM Corp. said today it’s teaming up with the University of Tokyo to create a new Japan-IBM Quantum Partnership that will focus on advancing the adoption of quantum computers in order to benefit science, industry and society.

IBM said the partnership would have three areas of focus, including the development of quantum applications for industry and the development of quantum computing hardware, with an aim to advance the state of quantum science and education.

The initiative will also see an IBM Q System One (pictured) installed at one of the company’s facilities in Japan. The system was launched in January and is said to be the world’s first-ever circuit-based commercial quantum computer.

There are currently two such machines in operation – one in the U.S. and one in Germany. Once the system is installed in Japan, IBM and University of Tokyo researchers intend to use it to aid their research into quantum algorithms and practical quantum applications.

IBM and the University of Tokyo also plan to create a quantum system technology center focused on developing and testing new quantum hardware. University of Tokyo President Makoto Gonokami said in a statement that his institution would place a much higher priority on quantum programming going forward.

“Quantum computing is one of the most crucial technologies in the coming decades, which is why we are setting up this broad partnership framework with IBM,” Gonokami said. “We expect this effort to further strengthen Japan’s quantum research and development activities and build world-class talent.”

Photo: IBM