While most of the attention on quantum computing currently tracks gate-based approaches, there has also been steady progress with Coherent Ising Machine (CIM) systems, which are essentially analog systems that seek to leverage quantum effects. It is the approach D-Wave uses. However, unlike the semiconductor-based superconducting technology that D-Wave employs, other technologies including optical approaches to CIM are possible and also rapidly developing. Today, NTT Research and the Tokyo Institute of Technology announced an effort to collaborate on developing applications for CIM systems that highlights recent CIM progress and aspirations…