Middleware for Industrial-Scale Quantum ComputingAccelerating Error Correction to Build a Data InfrastructureJij, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Yu Yamashiro; hereinafter "Jij") is pleased to announce its selection for a project by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) focused on middleware development for quantum computers.The project is part of NEDO's "Post-5G Information and Communication Systems Infrastructure Enhancement R&D Project" (Theme 3). Titled "Construction of a Common Data Schema Standard and Emulation Infrastructure to Accelerate the Data-Driven Development of Quantum Error Correction and Mitigation Methods," it will be executed jointly with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).BackgroundAs global R&D races toward the practical application of quantum computers, a significant hurdle remains: current quantum computers are highly susceptible to noise and errors. Establishing robust "quantum error correction and mitigation" technology is essential to ensure computational reliability and is considered one of the most critical challenges to unlocking the true potential of quantum computing.In recent years, research in this area has seen a paradigm shift. In addition to traditional theoretical approaches, "data-driven algorithms"—which leverage vast amounts of experimental data from actual hardware—are gaining prominence. Groundbreaking results, such as those from Google DeepMind showcasing performance exceeding conventional methods, have highlighted the innovative power of machine learning and data-driven techniques.However, the current research landscape is fragmented. Experimental data from different quantum devices (superconducting, neutral atom, photonic, etc.) lack a standardized format, making data sharing and cross-hardware performance comparisons difficult. Furthermore, access to physical quantum hardware is costly and time-consuming, hindering the extensive experimentation and data accumulation necessary for developing data-driven algorithms.Addressing these issues to accelerate R&D in data-driven quantum error correction and mitigation is an urgent priority for the social implementation of quantum computing.Project OverviewThis project will address these challenges by developing and releasing a "Common Data Schema Standard (Q-DATA)" as open source. This standard will enable portability and comparability of experimental data across various quantum platforms.Furthermore, the project will develop a large-scale emulator based on tensor network methods. This emulator will use machine learning techniques to learn noise characteristics from experimental data stored in Q-DATA, allowing it to efficiently model and execute these noise profiles. This will enable efficient offline verification against complex, realistic noise, dramatically accelerating the development and validation cycles of quantum algorithms.This emulator can faithfully reproduce the complex, device-specific noise inherent in actual hardware. As a result, it enables the high-precision prediction and verification of quantum algorithm behavior under realistic conditions—a task previously difficult to achieve without using the physical device itself. This capability streamlines the development and verification cycle for quantum algorithms and is consequently expected to significantly accelerate both performance improvements and the path to practical application.R&D StructureThis project will be promoted under the following R&D structure:Funding Agency: NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization )Lead Contractor / Principal Investigator (PI): Jij Inc. (PI: Yu Yamashiro, CEO)Collaborating Institution: Global Research Center for Quantum-AI Fusion Technology and Business Development (G-QuAT),National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST G-QuAT)Project Period: August 2025 - March 2028Development Theme: (g5) Accelerating Development Toward the Industrialization of Quantum ComputersProject Title: Establishment of a Common Data Schema Standard and Emulation Platform to Accelerate the Data-Driven Development of Quantum Error Correction and Mitigation MethodsFuture OutlookThe technology developed in this project will be integrated into "JijZept," our software development platform for quantum and optimization technologies, and deployed as new products and services. Through a phased development approach, we aim to release the "Q-DATA" common data schema standard and complete a high-precision, noise-learning emulator by the end of fiscal year 2027.By keeping pace with the evolution of diverse quantum computers, we will contribute to the vitalization of Japan's entire quantum ecosystem. Moreover, by making the project's outcomes open, we will support the global R&D community, with the long-term vision of establishing Japanese technology as an international standard.Kazuya Masu, Director-General, G-QuAT, AISTThe Global Research Center for Quantum-AI Fusion Technology and Business Development (G-QuAT) was established in 2023. Through the fusion of quantum and AI technologies, we are working to achieve the practical application of quantum technologies, typified by quantum computing, as well as to create new businesses and a global ecosystem.In this project, we will make full use of G-QuAT's quantum-AI hybrid computing infrastructure, "ABCI-Q." In collaboration with Jij, we will advance the research and development of a common data schema and an emulation platform to promote the societal implementation of quantum computing technology.The outcomes of this project will be made public to the greatest extent possible. Furthermore, with a view toward international standardization, we will contribute to the development of the global quantum ecosystem.Yu Yamashiro, CEO, Jij Inc.At Jij, our mission is "to make society computable and contribute to human progress," and we have been dedicated to advancing R&D in quantum computing. Through this project, we will accelerate the development of quantum error correction and mitigation technology—the greatest challenge to the practical application of quantum computers—and build a foundation that enables society as a whole to leverage this revolutionary computational technology. The common data schema and emulation platform we develop in collaboration with AIST will create an environment where researchers worldwide can harness quantum technology, showing a path to overcome the complexity of hardware diversity. Through the efficiency and optimization that computation brings, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.About Jij Inc.Company Name: Jij Inc.CEO: Yu YamashiroAddress: INDEST Room 403, Innovation Center, Tokyo Science University Tamachi Campus 3-3-6 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023, JapanCorporate Website: https://www.j-ij.com/enFounded: November 2018Business Description: Sales and provision of optimization solutions for enterprises utilizing quantum-classical hybrid technology contactInformation: Jij Inc. Communication Team /pr@j-ij.com