Commentary on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics. UNESCO has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) to commemorate this milestone. In this significant year, I am tremendously pleased that John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit."

The research recognized by this award represents the first successful demonstration of a quantum-specific effect on a macroscopic scale. Furthermore, it is the origin and a foundation for rapidly advancing research and development in the area of superconducting quantum computers.

RQC, which was established in April 2021, unveiled Japan's first domestically developed superconducting quantum computer, “A,” in March 2023, making it available through the Cloud. Currently, RQC is engaged in fundamental research, hardware development, and performance enhancement for quantum computers using various approaches in addition to superconducting methods. It aims to expand computational capabilities and foster pioneering innovation through collaboration with universities, research institutions, and companies both domestically and internationally.

The pursuit of quantum computers represents the pinnacle of cutting-edge science and is central to technological development across diverse fields. While significant technical challenges remain in creating computers that can reliably control large-scale qubit integration systems, this progress greatly encourages further challenging experiments and theoretical research.