Our Vision, Mission, Values, and People

The principles and culture that guide our team in creating scalable, networked quantum computing.

Our Vision and Mission

Making Quantum Computing Universally Accessible

Our vision is to make quantum computing globally accessible through scalable, connected systems.

We build the foundational infrastructure for scalable, networked quantum computing through cavity-QED based, fiber-native interconnects.

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Our Values

What Guide Us Toward Mission and Define NanoQT

How we achieve our mission is core to who we are—deeply embedded in our daily operations and decision-making. We are a team of professionals driven to solve hard, high-impact problems, guided by a global perspective and grounded in Japan’s tradition of engineering excellence. Our work focuses on delivering solutions that are not only scalable but also sustainable, ensuring long-term relevance across the quantum ecosystem.

Our Three Guiding Principles:

– Be Global, Bold, and Honest
Embrace a global perspective, pursue collaboration, and maintain transparency and integrity.

– Focus on Hard/Critical Issues to Drive Impact
Uphold the highest standards in science and engineering, tackle the industry’s toughest challenges, and deliver lasting impact.

– Foster an Entrepreneurial Environment
Encourage new insights, refine thinking, and take initiative to drive change.
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The Minds Behind the Quantum Backbone

Meet Our Team

Meet the innovators behind our groundbreaking technology.

View All Leadership & Board Directors Advisors R&D Corporate
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  • Masashi Hirose, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CEO

    Masashi Hirose, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CEO

    About

    Dr. Masashi Hirose is the Chief Executive Officer of NanoQT and also serves on its Board of Directors. As a co-founder since 2022, he has been pivotal in shaping the company’s trajectory and governance. Leveraging his background in management consulting and quantum technologies, Dr. Hirose ensures bringing innovative quantum technologies into actual impact on society.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Nuclear Science Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    B.S. in Applied Physics from Keio University, Japan

    Prior Experience

    McKinsey and Company

  • Akihisa Goban, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CTO

    Akihisa Goban, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CTO

    About

    Dr. Akihisa Goban, the Chief Technology Officer of NanoQT, holds a distinguished position on the Board of Directors. As a co-founder since 2022, with a rich background spanning over a decade in quantum technologies related to cavity QED and cold atoms for quantum information processing, Dr. Goban has been heading the R&D division of NanoQT toward materialization of NanoQT’s proprietary solutions.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Physics from California Institute of Technology

    M.S. and B.S, in Physics from The University of Tokyo, Japan

    Prior Experience

    Scientist, Waseda University

    Scientist, JILA/University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Prof. Takao Aoki

    Co-founder & CSO

    Prof. Takao Aoki

    Co-founder & CSO

    About

    Prof. Takao Aoki is the professor in Waseda University, and Chief Scientific Officer in NanoQT. He has been engaged in research on quantum optics for application to quantum technology at the University of Tokyo, California Institute of Technology, and Kyoto University, and developed nanofiber-based Cavity QED technology.

    Education

    Ph.D., the University of Tokyo.

  • Richard Ogawa, Esq.

    General Counsel

    Richard Ogawa, Esq.

    General Counsel

    About

    Richard Ogawa is the esteemed General Counsel at NanoQT. Bringing over three decades of experience from Silicon Valley, both as a legal/IP advisor and entrepreneur, Richard integrates best practices in patent strategy, patent creation, and corporate legal affairs into NanoQT’s framework.

  • Ryotaro Inoue, Ph.D.

    VP of Quantum System

    Ryotaro Inoue, Ph.D.

    VP of Quantum System

    About

    Dr. Ryotaro Inoue, a foundational member since 2022, specializes in technologies controlling neutral atoms, like Rb/Yb atoms, pivotal for quantum computation and sensing. Dr. Inoue has showcased leadership in national projects focusing on quantum gyroscopes. At NanoQT, he is at the helm of developing innovative quantum computational unit in nanofiber cavity QED.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Tokyo Institue of Technology

    Prior Experience

    Project Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

  • Hideki Konishi, Ph.D.

    VP of Photonic Integration

    Hideki Konishi, Ph.D.

    VP of Photonic Integration

    About

    Dr. Hideki Konishi, a foundational member since 2023, is an expert in controlling neutal atoms in cavity QED system. He has accomplished pioneering work in quantum simulation to study many-body physics and now is leading to develop innovative quantum computational unit in nanofiber cavity QED.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Kyoto University

    Prior Experience

    Assistant Professor, Kyoto UniversityScientist, EPFL

  • Shinichi Sunami, Ph.D.

    VP of Theory and Architecture

    Shinichi Sunami, Ph.D.

    VP of Theory and Architecture

    About

    Dr. Shinichi Sunami, a foundational member since 2023, is spearheading business development in the USA. Dr.Sunami holds position as a postdoctral scientist at University of Oxford. Since joining NanoQT, he has made a significant contribution to the design of quantum computing methods in cavity QED systems. Dr. Sunami is at the forefront of academic collaborations and operational expansion in the US.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Physics from University of Oxford

    B.S. in Physics from Kyoto University

    Prior Experience

    Scientist, University of Oxford

  • Hayata Yamasaki, Ph.D.

    Principal Research Scientist (Theory)

    Hayata Yamasaki, Ph.D.

    Principal Research Scientist (Theory)

    About

    Dr. Hayata Yamasaki is Principal Research Scientist and the director of Quantum Foundation and Innovation Center, NanoQT. Dr. Yamasaki holds full-time position as assistant Professor at University of Tokyo. With him, the center aims to explore all fields of the theory of quantum information science, from foundation to application, to drive interdisciplinary innovation implemented by NanoQT.

    Education

    Doctor of Science in Physics from The University of Tokyo.

    Prior Experience

    Assistant Professor, The University of Tokyo

  • Kenichi Komagata, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scientist

    Kenichi Komagata, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scientist

    About

    Dr. Kenichi N. Komagata is an expert in optical frequency combs, frequency metrology, and optical spectroscopy. He brings his expertise to NanoQT for the ultimate light-mediated control of the atoms.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Neuchatel

    M.S. and B.S. in Physics from EPFL

    Prior Experience

    Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Neuchatel

  • Hideki Ozawa, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scientist

    Hideki Ozawa, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scientist

    About

    Dr. Hideki Ozawa is an expert in controlling ultracold atoms in optical lattices. He holds full-time position as a postdoctral scientist at RIKEN. He has been developing the quantum gas microscope, which is a powerful tool for quantum simulation of many-body systems. At NanoQT, he makes the best use of his expertise to cool atoms near the nanofiber cavity.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Kyoto University

    Prior Experience

    Postdoctoral Researcher, RIKEN

  • Shiro Tamiya, Ph.D.

    Research Scientist

    Shiro Tamiya, Ph.D.

    Research Scientist

    About

    Dr. Shiro Tamiya, a Research Scientist, has been involved in theoretical research in the field of quantum information science, particularly in fault-tolerant quantum computation and quantum error correction. He applies his expertise to building architectures and developing practical applications for fault-tolerant quantum computing based on nanofiber cavity QED technology.

    Education

    Ph.D. and M.S. in Applied Physics from The University of Tokyo

    B.S. in Applied Physics, from Yokohama National University

  • Yusuke Hisai, Ph.D.

    Research Scientist

    Yusuke Hisai, Ph.D.

    Research Scientist

    About

    Dr. Yusuke Hisai is an expert in optical lattice clocks, optical frequency combs, and frequency metrology. He contributes to control of Yb atoms with a technique of precision spectroscopy.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Yokohama National University

  • Seigo Kikura

    Research Scientist

    Seigo Kikura

    Research Scientist

    About

    Seigo Kikura is a theoretical researcher. He researches into the physics of cavity QED and develops quantum information protocols using cavity QED systems.

    Education

    M.S. and B.S. in Engineering from The University of Tokyo

  • Neville Chen

    Quantum Engineer

    Neville Chen

    Quantum Engineer

    About

    Neville Chen works on applying atomic systems to the domain of quantum information science and quantum sensing. At NanoQT, he uses his prior experience combining the alkaline-earth tweezer array with a cavity QED platform to enrich the neutral atom toolbox for quantum science.

    Education

    M.S. in Physics from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    B.S. in Physics from National University of Singapore

  • Dai Tsukada

    Head of Operations

    Dai Tsukada

    Head of Operations

    About

    Dai Tsukada, the Head of Operations, manages operations and corporate functions across the USA and Japan. Dai’s fervor for deep tech is evident, backed by nearly a decade of expertise spanning R&D, business development, and project management in various deep tech startups.

    Education

    MAE and B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from University of Washington

    Prior Experience

    Project Manager, DeepX

    Director of Oversea Business Development, ACSL

  • Rieko Shinohara

    Director of People and Culture

    Rieko Shinohara

    Director of People and Culture

    About

    Rieko Shinohara, a Director of People and Culture, after joining an event agency as an accountant, she worked as a full-time general affairs and human resources. Rieko has involved in a wide range of HR and general affairs work, including maintenance of internal regulations, general labor affairs, office relocation, and safety and health, etc., in several start-up companies.

  • Prof. Vladan Vuletić

    Scientific Advisor

    Prof. Vladan Vuletić

    Scientific Advisor

    Lester Wolf Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Prof. John Martinis

    Systems Engineering Advisor

    Prof. John Martinis

    Systems Engineering Advisor

    Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara

Leadership & Board Directors
  • Masashi Hirose, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CEO

    Masashi Hirose, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CEO

    About

    Dr. Masashi Hirose is the Chief Executive Officer of NanoQT and also serves on its Board of Directors. As a co-founder since 2022, he has been pivotal in shaping the company’s trajectory and governance. Leveraging his background in management consulting and quantum technologies, Dr. Hirose ensures bringing innovative quantum technologies into actual impact on society.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Nuclear Science Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    B.S. in Applied Physics from Keio University, Japan

    Prior Experience

    McKinsey and Company

  • Akihisa Goban, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CTO

    Akihisa Goban, Ph.D.

    Co-founder & CTO

    About

    Dr. Akihisa Goban, the Chief Technology Officer of NanoQT, holds a distinguished position on the Board of Directors. As a co-founder since 2022, with a rich background spanning over a decade in quantum technologies related to cavity QED and cold atoms for quantum information processing, Dr. Goban has been heading the R&D division of NanoQT toward materialization of NanoQT’s proprietary solutions.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Physics from California Institute of Technology

    M.S. and B.S, in Physics from The University of Tokyo, Japan

    Prior Experience

    Scientist, Waseda University

    Scientist, JILA/University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Ryotaro Inoue, Ph.D.

    VP of Quantum System

    Ryotaro Inoue, Ph.D.

    VP of Quantum System

    About

    Dr. Ryotaro Inoue, a foundational member since 2022, specializes in technologies controlling neutral atoms, like Rb/Yb atoms, pivotal for quantum computation and sensing. Dr. Inoue has showcased leadership in national projects focusing on quantum gyroscopes. At NanoQT, he is at the helm of developing innovative quantum computational unit in nanofiber cavity QED.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Tokyo Institue of Technology

    Prior Experience

    Project Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

  • Hideki Konishi, Ph.D.

    VP of Photonic Integration

    Hideki Konishi, Ph.D.

    VP of Photonic Integration

    About

    Dr. Hideki Konishi, a foundational member since 2023, is an expert in controlling neutal atoms in cavity QED system. He has accomplished pioneering work in quantum simulation to study many-body physics and now is leading to develop innovative quantum computational unit in nanofiber cavity QED.

    Education

    Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Physics, all from Kyoto University

    Prior Experience

    Assistant Professor, Kyoto UniversityScientist, EPFL

  • Shinichi Sunami, Ph.D.

    VP of Theory and Architecture

    Shinichi Sunami, Ph.D.

    VP of Theory and Architecture

    About

    Dr. Shinichi Sunami, a foundational member since 2023, is spearheading business development in the USA. Dr.Sunami holds position as a postdoctral scientist at University of Oxford. Since joining NanoQT, he has made a significant contribution to the design of quantum computing methods in cavity QED systems. Dr. Sunami is at the forefront of academic collaborations and operational expansion in the US.

    Education

    Ph.D. in Physics from University of Oxford

    B.S. in Physics from Kyoto University

    Prior Experience

    Scientist, University of Oxford

Advisors
  • Prof. Takao Aoki

    Co-founder & CSO

    Prof. Takao Aoki

    Co-founder & CSO

    About

    Prof. Takao Aoki is the professor in Waseda University, and Chief Scientific Officer in NanoQT. He has been engaged in research on quantum optics for application to quantum technology at the University of Tokyo, California Institute of Technology, and Kyoto University, and developed nanofiber-based Cavity QED technology.

    Education

    Ph.D., the University of Tokyo.

  • Prof. John Martinis

    Systems Engineering Advisor

    Prof. John Martinis

    Systems Engineering Advisor

    Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Prof. Vladan Vuletić

    Scientific Advisor

    Prof. Vladan Vuletić

    Scientific Advisor

    Lester Wolf Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

R&D
  • Ryotaro Inoue, Ph.D.

  • Hideki Konishi, Ph.D.

  • Shinichi Sunami, Ph.D.

  • Hayata Yamasaki, Ph.D.

  • Kenichi Komagata, Ph.D.

  • Hideki Ozawa, Ph.D.

  • Shiro Tamiya, Ph.D.

  • Yusuke Hisai, Ph.D.

  • Seigo Kikura

  • Neville Chen

Corporate
  • Dai Tsukada

    Dai Tsukada

    Head of Operations

    About

    Dai Tsukada, the Head of Operations, manages operations and corporate functions across the USA and Japan. Dai’s fervor for deep tech is evident, backed by nearly a decade of expertise spanning R&D, business development, and project management in various deep tech startups.

    Education

    MAE and B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from University of Washington

    Prior Experience

    Project Manager, DeepX

    Director of Oversea Business Development, ACSL

  • Rieko Shinohara

    Rieko Shinohara

    Director of People and Culture

    About

    Rieko Shinohara, a Director of People and Culture, after joining an event agency as an accountant, she worked as a full-time general affairs and human resources. Rieko has involved in a wide range of HR and general affairs work, including maintenance of internal regulations, general labor affairs, office relocation, and safety and health, etc., in several start-up companies.

  • Richard Ogawa, Esq.

    Richard Ogawa, Esq.

    General Counsel

    About

    Richard Ogawa is the esteemed General Counsel at NanoQT. Bringing over three decades of experience from Silicon Valley, both as a legal/IP advisor and entrepreneur, Richard integrates best practices in patent strategy, patent creation, and corporate legal affairs into NanoQT’s framework.


Join Our Team


Be part of a team that leverages proprietary engineering excellence to tackle one of the toughest, unexplored challenges—transforming quantum processors into scalable, networked systems.

Trusted by the Pioneers of Quantum Technology

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