Members

Born in Thailand and raised in Malaysia, he completed his graduate studies at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo.
Inspired by the Fukushima nuclear accident, he pursued research in nuclear energy. During his studies, he was the first in Japan to develop an accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system to measure uranium isotope ratios, and he engaged in various applied research projects. He received numerous awards at domestic and international conferences, including those hosted by the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, and participated in the Fukushima nuclear decommissioning project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Upon graduating, he joined Dream Incubator as a new graduate and consistently worked on cross-border projects related to new business and industry creation. At the India branch, he was involved in investment and management support for AI startup companies. Later, he was appointed Director of the Vietnam branch, where he led international projects deeply connected to technology and policy.
In July 2024, he joined Kyoto iCAP to launch a world-changing deep tech startup of his own.
In April 2025, he founded Yaqumo, a company developing world-changing quantum computers.
His hobbies include reading and writing prose, as well as participating in triathlons.

Since 2019, he has been conducting research on quantum computers based on laser-cooled neutral atoms at Kyoto University. He has consistently led experimental projects in collaboration with some of Japan’s top researchers and earned his Ph.D. in 2025.
He possesses world-class expertise in foundational technologies for quantum computing using laser-cooled ytterbium atoms. At Yaqumo, he serves as CTO, responsible for formulating technical strategies and driving research and development.

PhD from Kyoto University, specializing in experimental research on quantum many-body physics using cold neutral atoms. He started development of neutral-atom quantum computer at Institute for Molecular Science in 2019, and has continued advanced research as a leading young researcher in Japan until now. Through domestic and international lectures, summer schools, and intensive lectures, he promotes the spread of knowledge on neutral atom quantum computers and human resource development. As a practical leader with both expertise and educational skills, he aims to implement quantum technology.

His area of expertise is atomic and quantum physics. In particular, he advances research on quantum computation, quantum simulation, quantum metrology, and the exploration of new physics using ultracold ytterbium atoms. He serves as the 2025 Chair of Division 1 of the Physical Society of Japan. His awards include the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2020 for research in atomic physics, the Nishina Memorial Prize in 2013 for the creation of ultracold ytterbium quantum systems, Fellowship of the American Physical Society in 2011, and the Ryogo Kubo Memorial Award in 2009. He is also an author of high school physics textbooks.

PhD from the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. After working as an assistant and associate professor at Tohoku University, he assumed his current position in September 2003. He specializes in quantum physics, quantum computers, and quantum simulators, and has received numerous awards, including the 2007 Japan Academy Medal for Academic Excellence, the 2009 American Physical Society Fellow Award, the 2012 Humboldt Prize (Germany), the 2018 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the 2021 Medal with Purple Ribbon. He has also served as a member of numerous Japanese government committees and government representatives on quantum technology.

He has done pioneering work in the control of single cold neutral atoms in France, establishing the fundamental technology essential for neutral atom quantum computers and quantum simulators; he will begin developing neutral atom quantum computers at the Institute for Molecular Science in 2019, continuing to be a top player in the field. From 2024, he is Chief Director of the Cold-Atom Quantum Systems Research Team at the RIKEN Quantum Computer Development Center.