Japan Aims for Supercomputing Supremacy with Zeta-Class Project

Japan has unveiled plans to construct the world’s first zeta-class supercomputer, marking a monumental leap in computational power and innovation. This new machine, called Fugaku Next, is set to operate at 1 zetaFLOPS—one sextillion calculations per second—and is expected to be 1,000 times more powerful than today’s most advanced systems. The project is a collaboration between RIKEN, Fujitsu, and the Japanese government, aiming for completion by 2030.

This endeavor builds on the success of Fugaku, Japan’s current supercomputer, which topped global performance rankings upon its debut. Fugaku Next will push technological boundaries, addressing challenges in artificial intelligence (AI), climate modeling, medical research, and other advanced scientific fields. It is expected to become a vital tool for solving complex problems at an unprecedented scale, reinforcing Japan’s position as a leader in high-performance computing.

The initiative has already received $29 million in funding from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) for the first year of development. Over the project’s lifecycle, total costs are estimated to surpass $750 million. The investment reflects Japan's long-term commitment to fostering innovation and maintaining global competitiveness in the rapidly evolving field of computing.

One of the critical challenges for Fugaku Next is energy consumption. Current supercomputers already demand immense power, and achieving the zetaFLOPS milestone could require an amount of energy equivalent to that produced by 21 nuclear power plants using today’s technologies. This has driven researchers to explore energy-efficient architectures and alternative solutions to ensure sustainable operation.

Beyond hardware, the project aims to strengthen Japan’s AI capabilities. By enabling faster and more sophisticated data analysis, Fugaku Next is expected to enhance applications in healthcare, disaster response, and industrial efficiency. It will also provide an infrastructure for global collaborations, supporting initiatives aimed at solving pressing issues such as climate change and pandemics.

Jürgen Kern, a leading sustainability expert at Fujitsu, emphasized the transformative potential of zeta-class computing. “Achieving net-zero emissions and advancing humanity's understanding of complex systems require bold innovations like Fugaku Next,” Kern said.

The global race for supercomputing dominance is intensifying, with countries like the United States and China also striving to develop next-generation machines. However, Japan’s focus on energy efficiency and its proven expertise in supercomputing technology give it a competitive edge. If successful, Fugaku Next will not only redefine the limits of computational power but also set new standards for sustainable innovation.

As Japan progresses toward its ambitious 2030 goal, the Fugaku Next project highlights the nation’s dedication to technological excellence, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and strengthening its position in the global scientific community. With zeta-class computing on the horizon, the future of high-performance computing appears brighter than ever.