Japan Sets Sights on Zettascale Supercomputer for AI Calculations

The Japanese government has revealed its plans to develop Fugaku Next, a groundbreaking supercomputer designed to reclaim Japan's position at the forefront of global supercomputing. As the world's first zettascale machine, Fugaku Next will be capable of performing AI-driven calculations at unprecedented speeds, surpassing its predecessor, the renowned Fugaku, in computational power.

The new supercomputer is expected to achieve a remarkable 50 ExaFLOPS of AI performance, positioning Japan at the forefront of AI-enhanced high-performance computing. With zetta-class performance in mind, this system will be 1,000 times faster than the current exascale technology, which Fugaku, ranked fourth globally, helped pioneer. The focus on 8-bit precision for AI tasks will enable Fugaku Next to handle advanced AI workloads, propelling innovation in fields such as scientific research, healthcare, and climate modeling.

The project, spearheaded by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), is scheduled to begin in 2025. RIKEN, a leading research institution, and Fujitsu are expected to lead the development, ensuring compatibility with Fugaku’s existing software ecosystem. With an estimated total investment of $761 million, the Japanese government is setting the stage for this ambitious project to be operational by 2030.

This development marks a significant leap for Japan in the global race to develop the fastest and most efficient supercomputers, reinforcing the country’s commitment to advancing technological innovation through AI and HPC.