Fujitsu, in collaboration with research institute RIKEN, is leading Japan’s push to build its first zetta-class supercomputer, Fugaku Next. The project, expected to be completed by 2030, builds on the success of Fugaku, currently the world’s fourth-fastest supercomputer with 442 petaFLOPS of computing power. Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has earmarked ¥4.2 billion (US$28 million) in its 2025 budget for the initial phase, with total investment exceeding ¥110 billion (US$740 million) by completion.
Fugaku Next, set to achieve over one zettaFLOPS, aims to enhance Japan’s capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, medical research, and climate modeling. Fujitsu’s pivotal role in the project not only solidifies its position as a leader in global supercomputing but also places Japan at the forefront of the race for zetta-scale computing. The company’s collaboration with RIKEN has been critical in shaping Fugaku’s success, and their expertise will drive the next-generation system forward.
However, the immense power demands of a zetta-class system pose a significant hurdle. Experts warn that Fugaku Next could require energy equivalent to 21 nuclear power plants. This challenge adds pressure to Fujitsu and the Japanese government as they work to balance innovation with sustainability.
