Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution(Q-STAR)

What Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution(Q-STAR) does

Q-STAR (Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution) / 一般社団法人量子技術による新産業創出協議会 is a Japanese non-profit general incorporated association established on September 1, 2021 to accelerate the industrialization of quantum technology in Japan. Headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and operated by a small secretariat of approximately five employees (managed by Vision Bridge Co., Ltd.), the organization functions as a coordinating body rather than a technology developer. Its membership reached 114 corporate members as of May 2025, comprising virtually every major Japanese quantum stakeholder — Toshiba, NEC, NTT, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Toyota, IBM Japan, Fixstars, Jij, OptQC, and TOPPAN Holdings — alongside universities (OIST, Tohoku University), national research institutes (AIST G-QuAT), and international partners (QED-C, QuIC, QIC, UKQuantum, NQCP).

Q-STAR's primary deliverables are reference architectures, middleware specifications, and educational standards rather than commercial products. Its three flagship intellectual outputs are: QRAMI (Quantum Roadmap Architecture and Management Initiative), a 7-layer reference framework mapping quantum technology businesses from strategy to technical elements; QODE (Quantum Open Development Ecosystem Optimization Division), an open middleware specification for solving optimization problems that enables interoperability across heterogeneous quantum hardware; and QSS-L (Quantum Literacy Standard) ver. 1.0, published February 2026 to enable non-specialists to learn fundamental quantum concepts. The Fixstars Amplify SDK serves as the de facto implementation layer for Q-STAR's software platform vision.

Q-STAR's revenue model is membership-based, with specific fee tiers not publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by its member companies and led by Representative Director Shimada Taro. Its core strategic positioning rests on three pillars: (1) approved December 24, 2024 as Japan's domestic review body for the IEC/ISO JTC 3 international standardization committee on quantum technologies, granting exclusive voting rights; (2) the secretariat of ICQIA, coordinating Japan's voice alongside US (QED-C), European (QuIC), and Canadian (QIC) quantum industry consortia; and (3) operation of an accelerator program with Plug and Play Japan (May 2025) to develop the quantum startup ecosystem. Recent international MoUs with UKQuantum (April 2025), NQCP Denmark (October 2025), and JETRO (March 2026) extend its global footprint, while its SIP Phase 3 selection (April 2024) anchors its role in Japan's national quantum human-resources development strategy.

Name

Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution(Q-STAR)

Legal name

的一般社团法人量子技術による新産業創出協議会 (Q-STAR)

Website

https://qstar.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Q-STAR is a Japanese non-profit industry association coordinating quantum technology adoption across 114 corporate members, publishing reference architectures (QRAMI), middleware specs (QODE), and literacy standards (QSS-L), and serving as Japan's domestic review body for IEC/ISO JTC 3 international quantum standardization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association / Quantum Technology Consortium

NAICS

Business Associations (81391), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Tech Commercialization, IP, Tech Transfer & Venture Research (HDAGAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quantum Education, Workforce Development & Academic Centers (HDAGAMAM), Quantum Program Management & Transformation Services (HDAGALAH), QCaaS Platforms & Developer Portals (HDAGAIAB)

Keywords

• Quantum technology consortium
• Industry association services
• Quantum standardization frameworks
• Technology reference architecture
• Quantum literacy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Q-STAR is a Japanese non-profit industry consortium (一般社团法人) that coordinates industry, academia, and government collaboration to accelerate the social implementation of quantum technology. Its core deliverables are published frameworks and middleware specifications (QRAMI reference architecture, QODE middleware spec, QSS-L literacy standard), working groups, joint research programs, accelerator programs for quantum startups, quantum talent development programs, international standardization participation, and member networking events and symposiums. The organization is funded primarily through corporate membership fees from its 114 member companies.

Product overview

Q-STAR (Quantum STrategic industry Alliance for Revolution) is an industry consortium/organization, not a product company. It is a general incorporated association established in September 2021 to promote the creation of new industries through quantum technology in Japan. The organization coordinates across corporate and industrial boundaries to advance quantum technology applications. Q-STAR does not offer a unified commercial product but rather facilitates industry collaboration through working groups, publishes software platform specifications and reference architectures, organizes events and symposiums, supports startup ecosystems, engages in international standardization activities, and develops educational resources including the Quantum Literacy Standard (QSS-L). Its activities include the software platform middleware specifications (QODE), the QRAMI framework for quantum technology business mapping, joint research with G-QuAT, accelerator programs with Plug and Play Japan, and international cooperation with quantum industry associations worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Q-STAR Corporate Membership Program Annual membership program granting Japanese and international companies access to Q-STAR's working groups, networking events, joint research initiatives, standardization committees, and ecosystem programs. Currently includes 114 corporate members (May 2025).
• QRAMI (Quantum Roadmap Architecture and Management Initiative) Reference Architecture Framework A seven-layer reference architecture framework that maps quantum technology business opportunities across value chains and technology layers, enabling stakeholders to share a common understanding and accelerate quantum technology industrialization.
• QODE (Quantum Open Development Ecosystem Optimization Division) Middleware Specification Open middleware specification for solving optimization problems in quantum computing, designed to enable interoperability across different hardware vendors. Published publicly as part of Q-STAR's software platform stack initiative.
• QSS-L (Quantum Literacy Standard) ver. 1.0 Published guideline enabling anyone to learn the fundamentals of quantum technology, designed to promote quantum literacy across industries and society. Formulated and publicly released in February 2026.
• Quantum Startup Acceleration Program (with Plug and Play Japan) Joint accelerator program combining Q-STAR's industrial network (114 member companies) with Plug and Play Japan's startup support expertise. Supports quantum startups in business strategy, fundraising, talent recruitment, and IP management, with Sumitomo Corporation QX team involvement.
• Quantum Talent Development Program (with OIST and Upskills NeXt) Collaborative quantum talent development program under SIP (Strategic Innovation Promotion Program) Phase 3, Sub-theme D. OIST leads educational program design and implementation, while Q-STAR conducts industry needs analysis and strengthens industry-academia collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 量子技術の応用で新産業の創出と事業機会を切り拓く (Creating new industries and business opportunities through quantum technology applications)

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Cooperation MOU for international cooperation in quantum technology. The partnership supports overseas collaboration, global expansion of companies, and human exchange among three parties.
• NQCP (National Quantum Computing Platform, Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025MoU signed to strengthen Japan-Denmark cooperation in the quantum industry, aiming to enhance collaboration in quantum computing research and commercialization between the two countries.
• Plug and Play JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Joint quantum startup support program combining Q-STAR's industrial network (114 member companies) with Plug and Play's startup support expertise and global corporate/investor network. The program supports quantum startups in business strategy, fundraising, talent recruitment, and IP management, with support from Sumitomo Corporation QX team.
• UKQuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2025MoU for strengthening Japan-UK cooperation in quantum industry. Areas include quantum industry/research exchange, policy advocacy, joint participation in international conferences/events, and co-hosting quantum events. This MOU aligns with the Japan-UK government agreement on quantum science and technology cooperation.
• G-QuAT (Quantum-AI Fusion Technology Business Development Global Research Center, AIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Joint research agreement between Q-STAR and AIST's G-QuAT for accelerating social implementation of quantum computing. The partnership aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for early service market creation through quantum computing solutions, combining Q-STAR's user/vendor network with G-QuAT's research capabilities and computing resources including GPU supercomputer ABCI-Q.
• OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2024Collaborative quantum talent development program under SIP (Strategic Innovation Promotion Program) Phase 3. OIST leads educational program design and implementation, while Q-STAR conducts industry needs analysis and strengthens industry-academia collaboration, and Upskills NeXt develops quantum education operation systems.
• ICQIA (International Council of Quantum Industry Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance comprising Q-STAR, QED-C (US), QIC (Canada), and QuIC (Europe) for coordinating international quantum industry development and representing member interests in global standardization discussions.
• QED-C (Quantum Economic Development Consortium, US)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based quantum industry consortium, part of ICQIA. Cooperates on software platform concepts, use case exploration, and global quantum ecosystem development.
• QuIC (European Quantum Industry Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean quantum industry consortium, part of ICQIA. Cooperates on international quantum technology standards, business development, and market access.
• QIC (Quantum Industry Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian quantum industry consortium, part of ICQIA. Cooperates on international quantum industry standards and cross-border collaboration.
• Fixstars Amplify (株式会社フィックスターズ)majorTechnology or IntegrationQ-STAR's software platform with Fixstars Amplify's SDK are the same product. Fixstars Amplify provides the SDK that enables general programmers to easily write and solve combinatorial optimization algorithms, serving as middleware for Q-STAR's software platform vision.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• G-QuAT (AIST): Quantum-AI Fusion Technology Business Development Global Research Center within Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. A core strategic partner of Q-STAR for joint research and computing resources (ABCI-Q); comparable as a Japanese quantum ecosystem builder but with a public-research rather than industry-association orientation.
• Fixstars Amplify: Tokyo-based quantum optimization middleware provider whose SDK is the technical basis for Q-STAR's QODE middleware specification. Comparable as a participant in the same quantum software ecosystem Q-STAR is trying to standardize, and a board member of Q-STAR.

Direct peers

• European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC): Europe's leading quantum industry association, also an ICQIA co-founder. Directly comparable to Q-STAR as a regional industry body coordinating corporate quantum activity, policy advocacy, and standards participation across the EU.
• Quantum Industry Coalition: US-based quantum industry trade association focused on policy advocacy and government engagement. Comparable to Q-STAR as a national quantum industry body, although with a stronger policy/political focus and smaller member base.
• UKQuantum: UK's national quantum industry alliance, with whom Q-STAR signed an MoU in April 2025. Directly comparable as a country-level quantum industry association representing UK quantum companies and engaging in policy advocacy and international cooperation.
• Quantum Industry Canada (QIC): Canada's national quantum industry consortium and the fourth ICQIA co-founder. Highly comparable to Q-STAR as a country-level quantum industry association with member companies, working groups, and international partnerships.
• Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C): US-based quantum industry consortium affiliated with SRI International, co-founding member of ICQIA alongside Q-STAR. Provides a directly comparable model for Q-STAR: member-driven industry association focused on quantum technology adoption, standardization, and use case development.

Regional players

• NQCP (National Quantum Computing Platform, Denmark): Denmark's national quantum computing platform with which Q-STAR signed an MoU in October 2025. Comparable as a public-private quantum coordination entity, though operating from a national-public-research perspective rather than an industry-association model.

Others

• Quantum Tokyo / Q2B Tokyo: Regional quantum industry conference series in which Q-STAR actively participates and co-organizes. Comparable as a community-building platform serving the Japanese quantum ecosystem, although operating as an event series rather than a membership association.

Broad incumbents

• International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA): Meta-organization co-founded by Q-STAR, QED-C, QuIC, and QIC. Comparable as the global coordinating body for regional quantum industry associations; Q-STAR is both a member and a co-founder, making ICQIA an adjacent peer in the global quantum governance landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/qstar_jp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Q-STAR-PRESS
• Facebookfacebook.com/199uigsVc4
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quantum-strategic-industry-alliance-for-revolution

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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