Q‑Neko Project Kick off Meeting Held
April 13, 2026
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Office for Science, Technology and Innovation
１．Overview
The Q‑NEKO (The Nippon‑Europe Quantum Koraborēshon) Project Kick‑off Meeting was held in Helsinki, Finland, from February 10 to 12, 2026.
Q‑NEKO is the first joint quantum technology project between Japan and the European Union, implemented based on the Memorandum of Cooperation on Quantum Science and Technology between Japan and the EU signed in May 2025.
The project is positioned as a concrete initiative under the EU‑Japan Digital Partnership, launched in May 2022, to advance cooperation in next‑generation computing infrastructures, including quantum technologies.
During the kick‑off meeting, participants shared information and exchanged views on high‑performance computing (HPC), quantum computing (QC), and hybrid HPC+QC, as well as on future directions for research and development and international collaboration.
The Q‑NEKO project is led by CSC – IT Center for Science (Finland), with participation from a diverse range of partners.
Participating organizations include:
IQM Quantum Computers; Forschungszentrum Jülich; German Aerospace Center (DLR);
CEA (France); Thales; Jij Inc.; National Laboratory of Metrology and Testing (LNE, France);
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava; QunaSys; Aalto University;
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, Japan);
Chodai Co., Ltd.; KDDI Research, Inc.
２．Background
Quantum technologies are increasingly recognized internationally as new approaches for addressing challenges in fields such as materials science, energy and the environment, communications, and data analysis, where conventional computational methods have faced growing limitations.
In recent years, efforts to combine quantum computing with conventional supercomputing have progressed, contributing to advances in computational capabilities and increasing interest in potential applications, including quantum‑enhanced machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).
Against this backdrop, Japan and the EU have been developing cooperative frameworks spanning research and development, demonstration, and practical application, leveraging their respective strengths.
Under these policy circumstances, Q‑NEKO aims to strengthen international expertise in quantum technologies and to jointly consider the future of advanced computing infrastructures.
３．Objectives and Main Activities
Q‑NEKO is supported by the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) on the Japanese side and by Horizon Europe and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking on the EU side, with the objective of advancing EU‑Japan cooperation in quantum technologies in a concrete manner.
Through the following initiatives, the project seeks to strengthen a medium‑ to long‑term foundation for cooperation between Japan and the EU:
- Promoting exchanges of researchers and engineers to enhance scientific and technical networks between EU and Japanese quantum technology communities
- Sharing computational resources and expertise in both regions to develop technical roadmaps that contribute to future strategic cooperation
- Advancing quantum‑enabled computational methods and software infrastructures that support the resolution of scientific and industrial challenges
- Contributing to discussions on benchmarking and standardization toward the integration of HPC and quantum technologies
- Establishing the foundation for next‑generation hybrid computing systems integrating HPC, AI, and QC
In addition, a panel discussion conducted during the kick‑off period addressed the importance of advancing open and secure international collaboration in the field of quantum technologies amid increasing globalization of research. The discussion provided an opportunity to share perspectives on future directions for EU‑Japan cooperation.
Frédéric Barbaresco (Thales, France)
Janne Hirvonen (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland)
Masahiro Horibe (AIST / SIP Sub‑Director, Japan)
Hiroshi Nakata (Q‑STAR / Jij Inc., Japan)
Laura Taajamaa (Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland)
４．Related Information
５．Contact
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Office for Science, Technology and Innovation
Quantum and Materials Division
Tel: +81-3-6257-1153 (direct)