Global recognition honors “Osaka Quantum Discovery” outreach efforts connecting quantum science and society
Osaka, Japan - The University of Osaka’s Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB) is a premier research institute in Japan, distinguished by its extensive global network of leading institutions worldwide.
This time, QIQB was awarded the Continental Quantum City Prize – Asia, a division of the Quantum City Prize, founded by World Quantum Day, for its outreach initiatives promoting quantum science and technology originating in Osaka.
The Prize was announced and awarded on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (13:00 UTC) on the Quantum City Prize website (included in the World Quantum Day website) and during the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), proclaimed by the United Nations and led by UNESCO, held in Accra, Ghana.
The Quantum City Prize is an international prize recognizing efforts to bring quantum science and technology to a city’s public space. Awarded initiatives include placing informational materials in public transportation networks, planning and hosting interactive public installations, and other methods that allow everyday citizens to experience quantum science and technology naturally within city environments, without requiring prior registration or travel to specific venues.
In 2025, the University of Osaka’s QIQB collaborated with various organizations and educational institutions on a wide range of initiatives, originating in Osaka, including the planning and supervision of educational materials issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), titled “One Poster for Every Household: Quantum and Quantum Technology – 100 Years of Quantum Computing.” These multifaceted domestic and international outreach activities under the Osaka Quantum Discovery initiative, which aimed to widely promote quantum science and technology to society, were highly praised and led to the prize.
Comments from Deputy Director YAMAMOTO Takashi (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science)
The Quantum City Prize was newly launched in 2025, making the application process—including the procedures—a rewarding challenge. A cohesive story from a range of activities conducted in Osaka was compiled, and despite the short preparation period, invaluable support from many people made it possible—a gesture for which we are profoundly grateful. It is encouraging that QIQB’s hospitality, aimed at making a fortunate 2025 into an immensely meaningful year, has been recognized for its global impact. Looking ahead, we hope to see many more Quantum City Prizes presented and for quantum science and technology to gain widespread understanding and recognition worldwide.
Related links:
Quantum City Prize 2025
https://worldquantumday.org/quantum-city-prize-2025
World Quantum Day
https://worldquantumday.org/
Poster for Every Household Published: “Quantum and Quantum Technology -- 100 Year History of Quantum Computing,” created & supervised by QIQB
https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/news/topics/2025/04/01003
Poster for Every Household: Quantum and Quantum Technology – 100 Year History of Quantum Computing (Special Webpage by MEXT, in Japanese only)
https://q-portal.riken.jp/poster-quantum/
About The University of Osaka
The University of Osaka was founded in 1931 as one of the seven imperial universities of Japan and is now one of Japan's leading comprehensive universities with a broad disciplinary spectrum. This strength is coupled with a singular drive for innovation that extends throughout the scientific process, from fundamental research to the creation of applied technology with positive economic impacts. Its commitment to innovation has been recognized in Japan and around the world. Now, The University of Osaka is leveraging its role as a Designated National University Corporation selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation.
Website:
https://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/en