A $3\times 3$ linear $q$-difference system with $E_8^{(1)}$-symmetry

We present a linear $q$-difference equation of rank $3$, which admits the affine Weyl group symmetry of type $E_8^{(1)}$. We further compare this equation with Moriyama-Yamada’s quantum curve which has $W(E_8^{(1)})$-symmetry. The symmetry of our equation is provided by the $q$-middle convolution, defined by Sakai-Yamaguchi and reformulated by Arai-Takemura. In this paper, we provide a reconstruction of the $q$-middle convolution via a $q$-Okubo type equation.