Yaqumo Selected for a NEDO R&D Project; Launches Joint Research with SCREEN Holdings

Toward the industrialization of neutral-atom quantum computers, accelerating R&D on high-performance optical core devices and modularization

Yaqumo Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Kazuhiro Nakashoji; hereinafter “Yaqumo”) is pleased to announce that it has been selected for the public solicitation, “Post-5G Information and Communication Systems Infrastructure Enhancement R&D Project (Acceleration of the Development and Demonstration of Next-Generation Quantum Computers for Solving Social Issues) / Development of Components and Materials for the Realization of Large-Scale Quantum Computers,” organized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter “NEDO”).

Following this selection, Yaqumo will also launch joint research with SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “SCREEN”) to advance R&D on enhancing the performance and domestic production of the optical core devices essential to the development of neutral-atom quantum computers, as well as on the technologies for integrating these components into modules.

Through these efforts, Yaqumo aims to further accelerate the industrialization of neutral-atom quantum computers that it has been advancing to date, and to position Japan to play a leading role in the global supply chain for quantum computers.

Reference: NEDO announcement (https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CD3_100424.html)

Background

Yaqumo is a neutral-atom quantum computer developer established on the basis of research results from the Takahashi Laboratory at Kyoto University and the Ohmori Laboratory at the Institute for Molecular Science, with the aim of “creating genuinely useful quantum computers and continuously expanding humanity’s computational capabilities.” Since its founding, Yaqumo has advanced the development of practical quantum computers themselves while also working to build the quantum industry ecosystem, spanning from components and materials to control systems and software. Specifically, it is advancing collaborations with players in Japan and abroad, including the conclusion of an MoU with Hamamatsu Photonics and Hamamatsu Photonics A/S, joint research with Entropica Labs (a quantum software company in Singapore) and QC Design (a quantum software company in Germany), and the conclusion of an LOI with the Indian Institute of Science.

As part of these efforts, Yaqumo has been selected for two NEDO-related projects in the past. In 2025, it was selected for the “Post-5G Information and Communication Systems Infrastructure Enhancement R&D Project / Acceleration of Development toward the Industrialization of Quantum Computers,” under which it has advanced the development of its proprietary neutral-atom quantum computer. In addition, through its selection for the “Deep Tech Startup Support Fund / International Joint R&D,” it has steadily advanced its development and international collaboration, including the full-scale launch of joint research with Entropica Labs.

Building on these initiatives, this selection for the NEDO R&D project and the launch of joint research with SCREEN will further accelerate both the development of the quantum computer itself and the establishment of the critical-component and module foundations that support it.

Reference (related past press releases)

 Yaqumo Selected for NEDO’s “Deep Tech Startup Support Fund / International Joint R&D Program”; Launches Joint Research with Entropica Labs in Singapore (https://yaqumo.com/en/news/362/);

Toward the Development of a Practical Large-Scale Fault-Tolerant Quantum ComputerEstablishment of “Yaqumo Inc.” (https://yaqumo.com/en/news/91/)

Details of the Project

The neutral-atom approach is attracting attention as one of the leading architectures for large-scale, general-purpose quantum computers, owing to its scalability in the number of qubits and its high connectivity. At the same time, the optical core components that make up the optical path from the laser source to the atom array face two structural challenges: (1) insufficient specifications and reliance on overseas suppliers, and (2) a fragmented supply structure and lack of modularization.

In this project, Yaqumo—as the quantum computer developer—takes the lead and, for specific themes, works in close collaboration with SCREEN, a leading company in high-precision optical module design and manufacturing technologies, to carry out everything from the definition of required specifications to evaluation on actual machines and module design. The main initiatives are as follows.

① Advanced component and material development

• High-speed SLM (spatial light modulator) module: Develop an SLM-based module that achieves a high refresh rate and enables large-scale, high-speed individual-atom addressing (conducted through joint research with SCREEN).

Image of the SLM device to be mounted in the module

• Multi-wavelength objective lens: Develop an objective lens compatible with multiple wavelengths, enabling more flexible illumination than before and thereby aiming to make gate operations faster and higher in fidelity.
• Environmentally robust optical components: Utilize low-thermal-expansion materials and others to establish an optical foundation that supports long-term stable operation.

② Study of modularization

• Reconfigure the optical and control systems on a functional-unit basis to design a standard module system that can be commonly applied across multiple quantum computer vendors, and promote the standardization of interface specifications.
• Verify the applicability of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and formulate a technology roadmap toward making the optical system more compact.

This R&D is distinctive in that the quantum computer developer itself leads the redesign of the entire supply chain, and the systematic effort to modularize and standardize the optical system of neutral-atom quantum computers is world-leading.

Future Outlook

Through this project, Yaqumo will incorporate the optical core components and modules it develops into its own quantum computers, and—through collaboration with domestic companies such as SCREEN—will evolve toward a structure capable of mass production and supply. By establishing an industrial foundation that can supply not only individual components but also function-integrated modules to quantum computer vendors both in Japan and abroad, Yaqumo aims to establish a Japan-originated module standard in the quantum industry and to secure an important position for Japan within the global supply chain for quantum computers.

Comments

Kazuhiro Nakashoji, Representative Director and CEO, Yaqumo Inc.

“We are truly honored to have been selected for this NEDO project. Yaqumo aims to realize genuinely useful quantum computers and to build the quantum industry from Japan and expand it to the world. To achieve this, it is essential not only to develop the quantum computer itself, but also to enhance and domestically produce the critical optical core components that support it, and to integrate them into modules. In this respect, being able to join forces with SCREEN Holdings—a global leader in high-precision design and mass-production technology for optical modules—is a great source of strength for us. Starting from this joint research, we will further accelerate the industrialization of quantum computers.”

Masahiko Kokubo, Executive Officer In Charge of Innovation, SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.

“The optical technologies we have cultivated to date through electronic device manufacturing and other fields offer excellent modulation speed and controllability in micro-scale regions, and we believe they can contribute to the advancement of quantum computer systems. Through joint research with Yaqumo, the leading domestic player in neutral-atom quantum computers, we will bring these strengths to bear and contribute to further improving system performance and to the development of this field.”

About Yaqumo

Yaqumo Inc. is a Japan-originated quantum technology startup engaged in the development of scalable quantum computers based on the neutral-atom approach. Through hardware–software co-design, it aims to realize practical, fault-tolerant quantum computation.

• Company name: Yaqumo Inc.
• Headquarters: 2nd Floor, Marunouchi Nijubashi Building 3-2-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
• Representative: Kazuhiro Nakashoji, Representative Director and CEO
• Founded: April 1, 2025
• Business: Development of neutral-atom quantum computers
• URL: https://yaqumo.com/

About SCREEN Holdings

• Company name: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Headquarters: 1-1 Tenjinkitamachi 4-chome, Teranouchi-agaru, Horikawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
• Representative: Masato Goto, Representative Director, President and CEO
• Founded: October 1943
• Business: Semiconductor production equipment; graphic arts equipment; display production equipment and coater; printed circuit board-related equipment; ICT solutions; and others
• URL: https://www.screen.co.jp/en