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IBM Japan outlines 2026 roadmap for AI infrastructure and quantum computing
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 10:40 PM
IBM Japan President Akio Yamaguchi discussed the roadmap toward 2026, highlighting the integration of AI infrastructure, hybrid cloud, and the advancement of quantum computing deployment in the Japanese market.
Context
IBM Japan President Akio Yamaguchi has outlined a 2026 roadmap focusing on the transition from AI experimentation to tangible business value. The strategy prioritizes the "AI Agent" era and the watsonx platform to automate industrial workflows and manage complex hybrid cloud workloads. This shift aims to integrate enterprise data with scalable AI infrastructure, positioning IBM as a primary architect for Japan’s digital and sovereign AI requirements.
In hardware, IBM is accelerating milestones for quantum computing and semiconductors. Following the 2025 deployment of the 156-qubit Heron processor, the company expects to demonstrate the first instance of scientific quantum advantage in 2026. This serves as a foundation for the ambitious goal of 100,000 connected qubits by 2033. Simultaneously, IBM continues to anchor the domestic supply chain through its partnership with Rapidus to commercialize 2nm chip technology, securing its role in the next generation of high-performance computing infrastructure.
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