The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has initiated Q-Neko, the Nippon-Europe Quantum Koraborēshon, to strengthen ties between Europe and Japan in quantum computing. The initiative capitalises on longstanding bilateral partnerships to create an integrated framework for quantum-enhanced High-Performance Computing, known as HPC+QC.
Central to Q-Neko's mission is the creation of unified methodologies, performance metrics, and technical standards across both regions. By establishing these common foundations, the project seeks to speed up the deployment of quantum technologies and bolster competitiveness on the world stage.
The consortium unites researchers and specialists from Europe and Japan to advance hybrid HPC+QC systems. Work streams concentrate on building software and computing platforms suited to applications spanning carbon dioxide reduction, telecom infrastructure, computational fluid dynamics, remote sensing, material properties research, and other fields with significant scientific and commercial potential. The initiative also explores quantum-boosted machine learning as a means to unlock new possibilities in computational science.
Knowledge exchange and joint research activities enable technical teams from both continents to collaborate on difficult problems and co-develop advanced quantum solutions. Beyond immediate research goals, Q-Neko prioritises workforce development, establishing enduring expertise in hybrid HPC+QC domains. The project will also produce a strategic roadmap to guide future cooperation and alignment between the regions.
Q-Neko will harness Europe's leading supercomputing infrastructure and link it with new quantum systems and simulation platforms in both Europe and Japan, including Japan's ABCI-Q system.
Project structure and funding
Q-Neko emerged from the HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2024-INCO-06 call. CSC – IT Center for Science, based in Finland, coordinates the effort alongside 10 European organisations and 5 Japanese partners.
European participants include IQM Quantum Computers (Finland), Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (Germany), CEA (France), Thales (France), JIJ Europe Ltd (United Kingdom), Laboratoire National de Metrologie et d'Essais (France), VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), QunaSys Denmark APS (Denmark), and Aalto University (Finland). Japanese partners are National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), QunaSys Inc., JIJ Inc. Ltd, Chodai Co., Ltd., and KDDI Research, Inc..
The project runs for 36 months beginning 1 January 2026, backed by approximately €4 million in Horizon Europe funding and supplementary support from Japan's Cross‑ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP). Partners will pool knowledge, skills, and assets to realise project targets, with results expected to generate novel technologies, products, and services that strengthen both European and Japanese economic development.
EuroHPC's expanding remit
The EuroHPC JU functions as a joint legal and financial structure uniting the European Union and member states to coordinate supercomputing efforts and combine resources, positioning Europe as a global supercomputing leader.
To date, the EuroHPC JU has acquired 12 supercomputers deployed across the continent, among them JUPITER and Alice Recoque, which represent Europe's first exascale machines. Researchers and organisations across Europe can access these systems through EuroHPC Access Calls to pursue scientific advancement and develop applications with industrial, scientific, and societal value.
Beyond supercomputing infrastructure, the EuroHPC JU oversees 19 AI factories across Europe, supported by 13 AI Factory Antennas, providing no-cost, tailored assistance to small and medium enterprises and startups. The organisation is also rolling out a European Quantum Computing infrastructure that combines various European quantum technologies with existing supercomputers. In June 2026, the EuroHPC JU introduced a quantum pilot access mode offering rapid access to its quantum infrastructure for experimentation and development.
The EuroHPC JU finances research and innovation initiatives aimed at constructing a complete European supercomputing value chain, encompassing processors, software, applications, and the technical knowledge required to build robust European HPC capabilities. Following the recent adoption of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the EuroHPC JU's scope has broadened to include new priorities for deploying AI Gigafactories throughout Europe and advancing quantum computing technologies.
