Qubit Technology Unveils Quantum API for Asia-Pacific Logistics at Tokyo Quantum Summit
July 4, 2024
At the 2024 Tokyo Quantum Summit, a major event spotlighting next-generation computing applications in Asia, Japanese deep-tech startup Qubit Technology made headlines with the launch of its Q-Tactics platform—a quantum logistics API that aims to bring quantum-powered optimization into the hands of third-party logistics (3PL) providers across the Asia-Pacific region.
The announcement on July 4, 2024, signals a crucial shift in the evolution of quantum logistics: from experimental lab trials to practical, scalable software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that solve real-world freight and customs challenges.
“We built Q-Tactics not for theorists, but for logistics operators who need faster, smarter decisions at every node of the supply chain,” said Naoya Kanda, CTO and co-founder of Qubit Technology, during a keynote session at the Tokyo International Forum.
The Q-Tactics API offers an integrated quantum-classical platform for route optimization, last-mile delivery sequencing, cold chain tracking, and even customs inspection modeling. Early adopters already piloting the platform include Yamato Transport, Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery service, and PSA International, one of the world’s largest port operators based in Singapore.
What Is Q-Tactics? A Practical Layer for Quantum in Logistics
Unlike hardware-focused announcements typical of quantum conferences, Qubit Technology’s Q-Tactics centers on accessibility and immediate utility. It functions as a cloud-based application programming interface (API) that logistics companies can integrate directly into their existing transport management systems (TMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and customs platforms.
Built in collaboration with Fujitsu, the platform is underpinned by Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer, a quantum-inspired computing architecture known for solving combinatorial optimization problems with exceptional speed. Though not a universal quantum computer in the strictest sense, the Digital Annealer delivers near-quantum results in high-dimensional optimization domains relevant to real-time logistics.
The Q-Tactics platform currently supports:
Route planning under congestion and time-window constraints
Last-mile dispatch sequencing for high-density urban zones
Cold chain temperature deviation prediction and rerouting
Customs pre-processing modeling, including automated inspection risk scoring
With built-in hybrid computation features, the system switches between classical solvers and quantum-inspired processors based on the size and complexity of the task, ensuring optimal performance across various logistics operations.
“Whether you’re routing 15 refrigerated trucks in Osaka or coordinating 200 containers through the Port of Manila, Q-Tactics is designed to deliver quantum-grade speed and flexibility,” Kanda explained.
Why Asia-Pacific? A Region Primed for Quantum Logistics
The Asia-Pacific region is uniquely suited for early adoption of quantum-enhanced logistics tools. Ports across Japan, South Korea, China, and Southeast Asia handle some of the highest cargo throughputs in the world, and they operate in dense digital ecosystems that already leverage automation, IoT tracking, and AI-enhanced demand forecasting.
According to data from the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, APAC countries dominate in categories like customs efficiency, tracking transparency, and timeliness of deliveries. Yet, the region still grapples with:
Port congestion and container bottlenecks
Fragmented cross-border customs workflows
Disruption-prone cold chains for pharmaceuticals and perishables
Urban delivery inefficiencies in mega-cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, and Manila
By offering a plug-and-play optimization layer that works across regional logistics infrastructure, Qubit Technology hopes to address these long-standing pain points using quantum computation as a backbone.
“Asia’s complexity is its advantage,” said Mei-Ling Chen, Head of Logistics Innovation at PSA International. “If a quantum system can optimize flows here, it can work anywhere.”
Early Access Partners: Yamato and PSA Test the Quantum Edge
The two most prominent launch partners for Q-Tactics reflect the platform’s versatility—Yamato Transport, focused on dense last-mile delivery networks in Japan, and PSA International, operating some of the world’s busiest transshipment ports.
Yamato Transport: Urban Dispatching and Cold Chain Resilience
In a pilot across Tokyo’s 23 wards, Yamato is using Q-Tactics to improve last-mile dispatching efficiency. Tokyo's high population density and narrow street networks make it one of the world’s most difficult cities to optimize for real-time deliveries.
Using quantum-enhanced optimization, Yamato reports:
A 12% reduction in delivery route length across pilot districts
Faster vehicle turnarounds at sorting hubs
Improved handling of temperature-sensitive goods in congested traffic conditions
The system can also dynamically reroute trucks based on road closures, temperature fluctuations, and delivery window changes, all in real time.
PSA International: Port-to-Customs Orchestration
Meanwhile, PSA International is testing the Q-Tactics API within its customs pre-processing system. Using a hybrid model combining AI and quantum-inspired analytics, the system scores shipments based on:
Country of origin risk levels
Goods classification complexity
Past inspection frequency
Seasonal volume trends
Customs officers receive automated risk profiles that help prioritize inspections, reducing overall processing time while maintaining security protocols.
PSA reports early gains of 15% faster customs throughput, especially on high-volume lanes involving electronic components and pharmaceutical goods.
APIs, Not Algorithms: Quantum-as-a-Service for Logistics
What sets Q-Tactics apart is its API-first strategy. Rather than requiring logistics providers to hire quantum engineers or run complex simulations, Qubit Technology offers an interface that plugs into existing workflows with minimal disruption.
The API is accessible via RESTful endpoints and includes:
RouteOptimize() for vehicle routing problems
ColdChainPredict() for temperature deviation detection
CustomsScore() for inspection prioritization
FleetSequence() for daily dispatch planning
Each function supports input formats like JSON and CSV, and offers latency under 300 milliseconds, enabling use in real-time dashboards.
“This is where quantum becomes invisible,” noted Dr. Hiroshi Kawamura, an advisor to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). “Operators don’t need to know about qubits—they just want results. This API model is the path forward.”
Government and Industry Momentum
The launch of Q-Tactics comes as Japan ramps up its National Quantum Strategy, with Tokyo positioning itself as a regional hub for quantum-SaaS ventures. METI, in partnership with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), has earmarked quantum logistics as a critical domain for national competitiveness.
At the Tokyo Quantum Summit, METI officials announced additional grant programs aimed at:
Expanding quantum infrastructure to major ports and free trade zones
Funding university-industry partnerships in logistics AI
Supporting startups like Qubit Technology with international scaling efforts
Other logistics firms from South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia reportedly held closed-door meetings with Qubit Technology during the summit, suggesting potential regional expansions.
Beyond the Pilot: The Road to Scalable Quantum Logistics
Qubit Technology has ambitious plans beyond this initial launch. The company aims to:
Expand Q-Tactics availability to Korea’s Incheon International Airport and Busan Port
Offer predictive disruption tools powered by quantum Monte Carlo methods for typhoons and infrastructure shutdowns
Integrate blockchain-backed customs records for secure quantum-verified handoffs
Additionally, a freemium developer tier is in the works, allowing logistics startups and academic researchers to build quantum-powered logistics tools on top of Q-Tactics without high upfront costs.
“Quantum shouldn’t be locked behind glass,” said Kanda. “Our goal is to make quantum logistics a global toolkit—not a mystery.”
Challenges Ahead: Latency, Trust, and Skills
While Q-Tactics has been met with optimism, adoption still faces hurdles:
Latency tradeoffs: While API calls are fast, some deeper optimization tasks still require batch processing overnight.
Enterprise trust gaps: Many logistics firms remain cautious about integrating quantum services into mission-critical operations.
Skill shortages: While Qubit Technology abstracts the complexity, customers still need teams who understand the new decision-making logic.
To address these concerns, Qubit Technology is launching a Quantum Logistics Learning Hub in Tokyo this fall, aimed at training 3PL professionals, IT managers, and operations executives in quantum-aware logistics workflows.
Conclusion: Quantum Logistics Moves Toward Real-World Impact
The launch of Q-Tactics marks a significant step in bringing quantum computing out of the lab and into global trade infrastructure. By offering an accessible, API-driven optimization layer tailored to Asia-Pacific’s high-density logistics environment, Qubit Technology is laying the foundation for scalable, real-time quantum logistics services.
With early adoption already underway in Japan and Singapore—and expansion plans reaching across the region—Qubit Technology’s vision for quantum-as-a-service logistics reflects a broader shift: quantum computing is no longer confined to theory. It’s becoming a powerful tool for managing the complexity of modern supply chains.
As the Asia-Pacific region continues to lead in digital logistics transformation, platforms like Q-Tactics could redefine how goods are routed, inspected, and delivered across borders—and in doing so, offer a glimpse into the next generation of intelligent global trade.