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Introduction:
Japan has announced its next major move in the global race for computing supremacy. RIKEN, the nation’s premier research institute, and tech giant Fujitsu will jointly develop the successor to “Fugaku,” the world-renowned supercomputer that briefly held the global performance crown. With a targeted deployment around 2030, the new system — unofficially dubbed Post-Fugaku — aims to deliver unmatched performance in both traditional simulation tasks and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. This initiative signals Japan’s intent to reassert itself as a leader in cutting-edge computing infrastructure amid fierce competition from China, the U.S., and the EU.
the Original
On June 18, RIKEN officially announced a collaboration with Fujitsu to develop a next-generation national supercomputer as the successor to Fugaku. Fujitsu will take charge of the overall system design and also develop a brand-new CPU — the computing “brain” of the machine. This new CPU will be built using advanced 2-nanometer semiconductor technology, promising greater processing power and energy efficiency than ever before.
The partnership follows a competitive bidding process that concluded with a contract signed on June 16. Fujitsu and RIKEN had previously worked together on both Fugaku and its predecessor, the K Computer. For Post-Fugaku, the computing capabilities will extend far beyond simulations — the system is expected to integrate powerful AI-specific hardware such as GPUs to support next-generation artificial intelligence research.
One of the standout goals for the new machine is achieving zettascale performance for AI tasks, capable of processing 10 sextillion (10⁻²¹) operations per second. Simulation capabilities will also be boosted to 5 to 10 times those of Fugaku. Additional partners will be selected to design complementary AI hardware components. The new supercomputer will be installed at RIKEN’s Center for Computational Science in Kobe, adjacent to the current Fugaku site.
What Undercode Say:
Japan’s ambitious Post-Fugaku project marks not just an upgrade in hardware, but a strategic escalation in national tech policy. Here’s why this announcement is more than just another IT headline:
Strategic Continuity in Innovation
Japan has long maintained a methodical, state-backed approach to high-performance computing (HPC). By selecting Fujitsu — a proven collaborator on Fugaku and K Computer — RIKEN ensures continuity of engineering, trust, and institutional memory. This lessens development risk and accelerates time-to-deployment.
The 2nm Semiconductor Advantage
Leveraging 2nm process technology could be a game changer. As Moore’s Law slows, every nanometer shaved off brings exponentially more power and efficiency. Japan’s domestic chip sector may be trailing in mass production, but RIKEN’s niche demands mean custom CPUs optimized for supercomputing could still put it ahead in HPC-specific metrics.
Zettascale Ambition in AI
The commitment to reaching zettascale performance — a billion billion billion operations per second — is not just a technological benchmark. It’s a geopolitical one. AI capabilities at this scale will enable Japan to model complex systems like climate change, earthquake simulations, and biopharma processes with previously unthinkable precision.
AI + Simulation: A Dual Focus
Whereas many global supercomputing projects choose to focus either on traditional simulation or AI, Japan’s hybrid ambition to dominate in both is bold. This dual-focus approach shows a clear recognition that the future of science and innovation demands convergence — simulating the physical and learning from the data in tandem.
The Geopolitical Undercurrent
While the article does not explicitly say so, Japan’s decision to double down on sovereign computing power is undoubtedly shaped by rising regional tensions and increasing cyber sovereignty. As AI and HPC become tools of soft power and national defense, Post-Fugaku is a digital fortress as much as a scientific tool.
Energy Considerations
One missing piece in the announcement is the energy infrastructure needed to power such a system. Fugaku already drew considerable power; scaling that up five- to tenfold raises major questions about sustainable data centers. If Japan also invests in renewable energy inputs or quantum-cooled infrastructure, it could set a new global standard.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Confirmed: Fujitsu and RIKEN signed a contract on June 16 to develop Post-Fugaku.
✅ Verified: Target zettascale AI performance — 10⁺²¹ operations per second — is in design scope.
✅ Accurate: CPUs will be based on 2nm semiconductor technology, with GPU integration for AI workloads.
📊 Prediction:
By 2030, if Japan succeeds in deploying Post-Fugaku at its projected scale, it will likely reclaim a spot among the top 3 in the global supercomputer rankings — not just in raw performance, but in AI-dedicated architecture. However, the global AI arms race may also push the U.S. (with DOE systems) and China (with state-backed exascale machines) to leapfrog even further. Success for Japan will hinge not only on hardware innovation, but on the ability to attract international research partnerships and real-world applications that validate its massive investment.
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Reported By: xtechnikkeicom_d864be713ee0ca3a36b6d38c
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