JIJ Inc. and ORCA Computing, in collaboration with bp and the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), released a white paper demonstrating that hybrid quantum–classical optimisation is moving closer to commercial relevance for one of the energy sector’s most complex operational challenges.

For further details, please refer to the white paper, “Benchmarking Hybrid Approaches to the Unit Commitment Problem”.

The study benchmarks a hybrid quantum-classical approach to the Unit Commitment Problem (UCP), the large-scale optimisation task of determining how and when power plants should operate to meet energy demand at the lowest cost while maintaining system reliability. The results suggest that hybrid quantum-classical optimisation is moving beyond proof-of-concept and towards practical industrial application in energy systems.

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Fujitsu Limited and Daiichi Life Group, Inc. today announced that they conduct joint research from April 2026 to March 2027 to advance asset management operations through the application of quantum technology in the insurance sector.

This joint research will leverage the expertise of Daiichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd., a leading institutional investor in Japan managing approximately 30 trillion yen in assets, by addressing practical challenges in its asset management operations. Both companies will jointly design and develop quantum algorithms to optimize asset allocation across multiple asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and alternative assets, considering risk-return balance and liability characteristics. They will also conduct performance verification using quantum computer simulators (quantum simulators) and quantum computers.

When making asset allocation decisions, it is necessary to simultaneously consider complex factors such as the balance between risk and return, liability characteristics, regulatory requirements, and investment constraints for each asset class. The two companies aim to conduct more comprehensive and efficient evaluations that take these factors into account under a wide range of economic scenarios, with the goal of researching and analyzing optimal asset allocation strategies.

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JIJ Inc., a provider of quantum technology and optimisation software, has established its first entity in the European Union, JIJ EU (JIJ GmbH), in Hamburg, Germany. Located within the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative’s (DLR QCI) Innovation Center, the new entity marks a major step in JIJ’s European expansion and provides a local base for advancing industrial quantum optimisation applications across the region.

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Fujitsu Limited and Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) today announced the establishment of the “Fujitsu Quantum and HPC Infrastructure Collaborative Research Cluster” at Science Tokyo.
This collaborative research cluster aims to systematically and practically develop human resources with quantum hardware technology in Japan. The initiative is part of Fujitsu’s “Fujitsu Small Research Lab” program and utilizes the Science Tokyo Collaborative Research Cluster System, with support from Open Innovation Office of the Center for Innovation Management. The new cluster will operate as a collaborative research cluster, expanding beyond traditional High Performance Computing (HPC) to include the quantum hardware field.

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