IQM Sells First 20-Qubit Enterprise Quantum System in Japan

Finland's IQM Quantum Computers will deploy a 20-qubit system to TOYO Corporation by the end of 2026, the first purchase of a quantum computer by a private enterprise in Japan and a significant step in the country's push for sovereign compute capabilities.

"Leading enterprises are building real quantum capabilities by owning the infrastructure, operating it, and growing with it," Jan Goetz, CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers, said. "TOYO's commitment to this approach represents an important step in realizing Japan´s national quantum strategy based on IQM´s leading quantum computing technology."

The deal provides TOYO with an IQM Radiance 20-qubit machine, which will be available for both on-premises and cloud-based use. The deployment, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, will be IQM’s third in the Asia-Pacific region, following installations in South Korea and Taiwan. TOYO, a major provider of advanced measurement solutions, intends to use the system to develop industrial use cases and integrate it with traditional high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.

The purchase aligns with one of the world's most ambitious national technology targets. Japan's government is aiming to create 10 million domestic users of quantum technologies and generate 50 trillion yen in production value by 2030. Achieving this requires private-sector firms like TOYO to move beyond research and begin operating their own quantum hardware to build a skilled workforce and practical applications.

Japan's Push for Sovereign Compute

The IQM deal is part of a broader national effort to build a domestic AI and advanced computing backbone, reducing reliance on overseas data centers for sensitive workloads. This strategic priority has accelerated since early 2025, with major investments from global and local technology giants. SoftBank is building a powerful AI supercomputer in Hokkaido using Nvidia's latest chips, while Microsoft has committed $2.9 billion to expand its Azure cloud infrastructure in the country.

In this competitive environment, TOYO's acquisition of an on-premises system from IQM provides a foothold in a critical, emerging hardware space. "Quantum technology is an essential strategic field for future economic growth, especially for the new era of Japanese manufacturing," said Toshiya Kohno, CEO of TOYO Corporation. "With the cooperation of IQM, we will promote the social implementation of quantum technologies in Japan ahead of the world."

IQM's Market Position

For IQM, the sale solidifies its position as a global leader in the race to commercialize superconducting quantum computers. The company, which has over 350 employees, is pursuing a dual-listing strategy to raise capital for further expansion. IQM has announced plans to merge with Real Asset Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: RAAQ), which would make it the first publicly listed European quantum company on a major U.S. stock exchange.

The deal gives investors a new way to gain exposure to the quantum hardware sector, which has been dominated by research programs and the R&D budgets of hyperscalers like Google and IBM. As nations and corporations begin to procure their own systems, companies like IQM that can deliver full-stack, operational hardware are positioned to capture a new wave of enterprise spending. The TOYO deployment will serve as a key proof point for IQM's on-premises model ahead of its planned public listing.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.