From November 25 to 28, an international symposium was held at the Institute for Molecular Science in Okazaki City, Aichi, organized by Professor Kenji Ohmori (Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences) and Professor Christian Gross (University of Tübingen, Germany), focusing on the "Neutral-atom Quantum Computing" project, one of two projects under the ASPIRE joint call "Japan-Germany Quantum Technologies," which began research in February 2025.

The symposium brought together Japanese and German researchers working on the Ohmori-Gross project on the theme of neutral atomic quantum computing. As the first international conference to be held biennially in Japan and Germany over a five-year research period, the symposium aimed to establish a foundation for long-term collaboration and researcher exchange. In addition, researchers engaged in quantum computing at companies and young researchers, including graduate students who applied though the event website, also joined the symposium. The organizers' thoughtful approach, evident throughout the event, was to utilize this symposium as a forum for research exchange.

At the opening of the symposium, Program Director Dr. Kenjiro Miyano, Program Officer Dr. Norio Kawakami, and Professor Ohmori delivered speeches. They provided an overview of the ASPIRE project, the history of international joint research between Japan and Germany, and their personal experience in Germany. The history of collaborative research passed down through generations of Japanese and German researchers was once again recognized as the foundation of this program.

The hall, which had a capacity of 200 people, was filled to the brim with researchers. Representatives of the Ohmori-Gross project and their collaborators presented their latest findings, and the Q&A session subsequently prompted vigorous discussions among Japanese and German participants.

In the venue, a poster session was also set up, and young researchers, including graduate students, actively took advantage of the opportunity to share information by discussing common themes with researchers of the same generation or older in the same field. During the break, participants enjoyed coffee and snacks prepared by the organizers with the aim of relaxing and enjoying the conversation. We were once again reminded of their hospitality. Some students had already visited German research institutes, and scenes of friendly conversation among project members who had become well acquainted could be seen throughout the venue.

The ASPIRE Japan–Germany Joint Call is a program designed to strongly promote international collaborative research by selecting research projects composed of leading researchers from both countries and providing financial support that fosters international researchers' circulation. Although less than a year has passed since the start of the project, the Ohmori–Gross team has already set as one of its goals the formation of a research group capable of demonstrating exceptional research capabilities in the increasingly competitive field of quantum computing.

This project is expected to serve as a driving force for research activities among Japanese and German researchers—including early-career researchers who will shape the future of the field—by providing a strong foundation that sustains engagement and momentum. Moreover, the unparalleled synergy generated through the collaboration of this Japan–Germany team is anticipated to cultivate a core research community within the field. Such progress aligns with the aims of the ASPIRE Joint Call: to build a cutting-edge international network of leading researchers and to foster a new generation of researchers capable of excelling beyond national boundaries.

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