IBM Quantum System Two Co-Deploys with Fugaku Architecture
IBM and RIKEN launch the first IBM Quantum System Two in the US.
Researchers can now use quantum and classical supercomputing for challenging scientific advances with IBM Quantum System Two and Fugaku Architecture.
The first IBM Quantum System Two outside the U.S. marks a global milestone for quantum technology and promises to alter high-performance computing. RIKEN, Japan's foremost scientific organisation, and Kobe use highly powerful quantum computers. On June 24, 2025, the system debuted.
Initial IBM Quantum System Two installations outside a Quantum Data Centre are paired with RIKEN's Fugaku supercomputer, the most powerful conventional computer. Moving beyond “quantum-centric supercomputing,” these two massive computational powers are meant to boost computational power and precision.
Architecture Fugaku
The Japanese supercomputer Fugaku was built by RIKEN and Fujitsu using the Arm-based A64FX CPU. The first supercomputer with this architecture to top the world rankings. With almost 150,000 nodes, a 48-core processor, and tremendous memory bandwidth, its architecture prioritises high-performance computation. Fugaku's Tofu Interconnect D mesh network allows nodes to communicate smoothly, making it ideal for AI workloads and scientific simulations. Its well-balanced design produces outstanding computational and energy efficiency, making it crucial for drug discovery, climate modelling, and other fields requiring massive processing capacity.
Due to the complex relationship between quantum and classical devices, this co-location is crucial. A high-speed basic instruction network makes the systems a “proving ground for quantum-centric supercomputing”. This low-level integration allows RIKEN and IBM developers to create complex parallel workloads, low-latency classical-quantum communication protocols, and compilation passes and libraries.
This intricate link attempts to allow quantum and classical computing paradigms to effortlessly execute their optimal algorithm sections, maximising their performance. This hybrid method speeds up the understanding of complex algorithms, including basic chemistry algorithms.
The 156-qubit IBM Quantum Heron processor powers the new IBM Quantum System Two at RIKEN. Heron is the world's most performant quantum processor and IBM's best-performing quantum processor due to its high quality and speed.
The Heron processor achieves an astounding 3×10^-3 two-qubit error rate on a 100-qubit multilayer circuit. The best two-qubit error rate is 1×10^-3. This is ten times better than the IBM Quantum Eagle processor with 127 qubits.
The speed of Heron is 250,000 circuit layer operations per second. In the last year, this represents another ten-fold advance over the IBM Eagle CPU. Due to its 156-qubit scale and sophisticated requirements, the Heron processor can perform quantum circuits that even the most powerful classical computers cannot.
The strategic importance of this undertaking cannot be overstated. NEDO, a division of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), provides crucial support. This money comes from the “Development of Integrated Utilisation Technology for Quantum and Supercomputers” initiative, part of the “Project for Research and Development of Enhanced Infrastructures for Post 5G Information and Communications Systems.”
Financial analysts perceive this deployment as IBM's strategic investment to expand its global quantum computing capabilities. This measure is likely to generate new money and cooperation, especially in Asia where governments favour technology.
Market research analysts say the IBM Quantum System Two in Japan is a turning point in quantum computing and may increase acceptance and creativity in Asia.This boosts IBM's quantum computing supremacy, which may influence market dynamics and spur digital innovation.
The cooperation aims to accelerate the discovery of "quantum advantage," the moment at which a quantum computer can solve a problem better than any traditional approach. A Science Advances study by RIKEN and IBM showed promise in this area. Iron sulphides are complicated systems that were thought to require fault-tolerant quantum computers for meaningful modelling, yet their sample-based quantum diagonalisation (SQD) techniques accurately represent their electronic structure. When paired with solid classical infrastructure, near-term quantum computers can deliver significant scientific gains.
There are some obstacles ahead. Authorities say integrating quantum and classical systems is difficult and resource-intensive. Since quantum systems are still being researched, achieving a useful quantum advantage is a long-term goal.
CEOs from both firms remained optimistic despite these challenges. Jay Gambetta, IBM Quantum VP, said, “RIKEN collaborators are taking a huge step forward to make this vision a reality. Computing will be quantum-focused in the future. The new IBM Quantum System Two will allow engineers and scientists to push the limits by connecting to Fugaku and employing the latest Heron CPU.
RIKEN-CCS Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division Director Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato said, “RIKEN hopes to guide Japan into a new age of high-performance computing by integrating Fugaku and the IBM Quantum System Two. Create and demonstrate quantum-HPC hybrid workflows for industry and academics to study. These two systems' interaction allows us take key steps towards this goal.
Japanese government support for IBM and RIKEN's quantum and high-performance computing collaboration indicates their dedication.