Hitachi announced on July 23, 2026 that it has been selected for the NEDO public program “Accelerating Development and Demonstration of Next-Generation Quantum Computers to Solve Social Challenges,” and will begin joint R&D with Intel’s Japan subsidiary and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) on semiconductor-based “silicon quantum computers.” The project runs through the end of March 2029, with milestones set for a 100-qubit device by fiscal 2028 and a 1,000-qubit prototype implementing quantum error correction by 2030. The effort is positioned as putting the quantum computing piece of the broader strategic collaboration Hitachi and Intel announced in June 2026 into concrete form.
What This Article Covers
- The scope, timeline, and milestones of the three-party joint research
- Why “silicon quantum computers” are seen as closer to industrial application
- The plan for staged cloud service rollout
Overview
Quantum computers can be built on several different physical implementations, including superconducting and ion-trap approaches. Silicon-semiconductor-based approaches are seen as a potential shortcut to large-scale qubit integration and industrial application, since they can leverage existing semiconductor manufacturing technology. This joint research combines Hitachi’s quantum technology, Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing and design know-how, and AIST’s research infrastructure, aiming to bridge the gap from research demonstration to industrial use.
Details
The following points were confirmed through a primary source — Hitachi’s official announcement.
- Hitachi has been selected for the NEDO public program “Accelerating Development and Demonstration of Next-Generation Quantum Computers to Solve Social Challenges”
- It will conduct joint R&D with Intel’s Japan subsidiary and AIST on semiconductor-based “silicon quantum computers”
- The project runs through the end of March 2029
- Milestones target a 100-qubit device by fiscal 2028 and a 1,000-qubit prototype implementing quantum error correction by 2030
- Building on qubit chip design, implementation, and cloud operation infrastructure, the group plans to launch cloud access by fiscal 2027 and roll out services in stages
- The effort is positioned as putting the quantum computing component of Hitachi and Intel’s June 2026 strategic collaboration into concrete form
Industry Impact
If silicon-based quantum computer development advances, it could enable the reuse of existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure and know-how for large-scale qubit integration — a factor that could accelerate practical quantum computing and lower its cost. The combination of two companies and a public research institute — Hitachi, Intel, and AIST — is notable as a structure spanning basic research through industrial application.
Relevance to Japan
This project is led by Hitachi and AIST, Japanese companies and research institutions, making it an example of public-private collaboration in Japan’s quantum computing R&D. Its selection for the NEDO public program signals that the Japanese government is supporting quantum technology as a strategic field.
What to Watch Next
- The specific budget scale of the NEDO program
- Progress toward the fiscal 2028 100-qubit milestone
- How this positions relative to other quantum computing approaches (superconducting, ion trap, etc.)
- Specific details of the cloud access launch by fiscal 2027
Summary
Hitachi, Intel’s Japan subsidiary, and AIST have launched joint R&D on semiconductor-based “silicon quantum computers,” targeting a 1,000-qubit prototype with quantum error correction by 2030. It’s a notable effort to repurpose existing semiconductor manufacturing technology for quantum devices, and what’s next is to track progress toward the fiscal 2028 interim milestone.
