RIKEN selects contractor for basic design of post-K supercomputer

Following an open bidding process, Fujitsu Ltd. has been selected to work with RIKEN to develop the basic design for Japan’s next-generation supercomputer.

The new supercomputer will be the successor of Japan’s current flagship computer, the K computer. The project, which is now called the FLAGSHIP 2020 Project, was launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in April 2014.

Under the project, the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science will aim to develop and begin operations of the new supercomputer in fiscal 2020. The basic design will be carried out based on the concept of “co-design”, an approach under which system design and applications are developed collaboratively.

The new flagship computer will be used to work on innovative solutions to current scientific and social issues.