One of Australia’s leading supercomputing centres and Japan’s advanced technology institute sign agreement focused on integrating quantum computing with supercomputing to accelerate scientific breakthroughs at the annual supercomputing conference in the region
Japan, 22 January 2026 — Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, on behalf of the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre, has signed a Letter of Intent with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) to strengthen scientific cooperation in quantum computing.
The partnership, formalised with AIST’s Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), represents another step toward making quantum computing practical for real-world applications by combining it with the massive computational power of supercomputers.
The agreement, which runs until March 4, 2027, comes as Australia and Japan celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation — a foundational agreement that has enabled decades of collaboration between the two nations.
“This partnership exemplifies the spirit of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty, demonstrating how our nations can work together on cutting-edge technology that will benefit both countries and the world,” says Mark Stickells AM, Pawsey CEO. “By integrating quantum computing with supercomputing, we’re working towards a quantum-ready computational future, creating a national computational fabric spanning HPC, AI and quantum that will transform drug discovery, materials development, and national security.”
The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre, Australia’s high-performance computing facility supporting world-class research, has emerged as a leader in quantum computing infrastructure integration and skills development. This partnership with G-QuAT will enable researchers from both nations to collaborate on cutting-edge quantum algorithms, applications, and technologies.
Key areas of cooperation include:
- Joint projects in quantum computing to develop practical applications that combine quantum and supercomputing power
- Building an international quantum ecosystem in Australia and Japan
- Knowledge exchange through seminars, symposiums, and collaborative discussions
- Identifying new opportunities for collaboration as quantum computing technology continues to advance
The agreement reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in quantum technology development, where sharing knowledge and resources can accelerate progress toward practical quantum computing solutions that benefit society.
“The partnership with Pawsey marks a significant step forward in our mission to make quantum–HPC hybrid computing truly accessible and impactful. By uniting our ABCI‑Q platform with Pawsey’s deep expertise in high‑performance computing, we are confident that this collaboration will lead to tangible breakthroughs that bring hybrid computation closer to real‑world deployment.”
— Kazuya Masu, Director, Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum‑AI Technology (G‑QuAT)
About Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre
The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre is Australia’s premier high-performance computing facility for science, located in Perth, Western Australia. Pawsey is driving scientific breakthroughs through exascale-ready compute, data infrastructure, and expertise that support nationally significant research and international collaboration. Home to Setonix, one of the most powerful and energy-efficient research supercomputers in the Southern Hemisphere, Pawsey also advances quantum–classical integration through its Supercomputing Quantum Innovation Hub. Pawsey is a nationally funded NCRIS facility, supported by the Western Australian Government, and a joint venture between CSIRO and leading Western Australian universities.
About AIST and G-QuAT
The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, focuses on the creation and practical realization of technologies useful to Japanese industry and society, and on “bridging” the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialization. For this, AIST is organized into 5 departments and 2 centers that bring together core technologies to exert its comprehensive strength.
The advanced convergence computational technology being addressed in G-QuAT is an R&D field highly attracting attention around the world. To perform R&D toward pioneering business development, agile research activities are necessary beyond the existing research fields. For this reason, G-QuAT was established directly under the leadership of the chief technical officer who manages all research areas addressed in AIST and is composed of eight research teams, a planning office and a collaboration promotion office.
Kazuya Masu, Director, Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum‑AI Technology (G‑QuAT)
Mark Stickells AM, CEO Pawsey
