NHK World's program Science View introduces Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori
A Quantum Search for Optimal Solutions, a recently aired episode of the NHK World Science View program, features the research journey of Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori, the head of Science Tokyo’s Specialized Academy for Quantum Computing.
The episode introduces the origin and development of quantum annealing, the theory proposed in 1998 by Nishimori, and will be available for viewing on NHK World-Japan until November 24, 2026.
The Science View program showcases cutting-edge research, innovation, and technology being created by Japanese scientists and engineers for global audiences.
Episode information
- Program:
- NHK WORLD-JAPAN Science View
- Episode:
- A Quantum Search for Optimal Solutions
- Available:
- From November 25, 2025, to November 24, 2026
Episode description
Quantum computers are expected to deliver dramatically higher performance than conventional supercomputers. Notably, the technology behind the world's first commercial quantum computer originated from a paper published in 1998 that introduced the concept of quantum annealing, a theory proposed by two Japanese physicists.
Quantum annealing applies quantum mechanics to efficiently solve optimization problems. The groundbreaking theory was first proposed by Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori of Tokyo Institute of Technology, present-day Institute of Science Tokyo, and his then-graduate student Tadashi Kadowaki.
The program follows the story of this revolutionary computational principle — from its birth to the present, and toward future prospects — shedding light on the ongoing quest among researchers to find optimal solutions.
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Contact
Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori
Email nishimori.h.74b3@m.isct.ac.jp