Japan’s Exaflop supercomputer project is already seeing a one to two year schedule slippage

The project lead for RIKEN AICS, confirmed that Japan’s next-generation supercomputer, the Post-K computer, has been delayed by one-to-two years, slipping from its original 2020 target to either 2021 or 2022. The additional time is needed to ensure sufficient processor volume, sources report. With the adjusted schedule, Japan’s exascale horizon has shifted closer to the US goal to stand up a productive exascale computer by no later than 2023.

To be clear, Japan does not use the term exascale with respect to post-K, but has set a goal for the machine to deliver a 100x speedup (with algorithm and code optimizations) over the nation’s current top number-cruncher, the K Computer (an 8.2-petaflops system). The DOE has a similar objective; it defines a “capable exascale machine” as a supercomputer that solves science problems 50 times faster than today’s 20 petaflops systems.

The Japanese government has so far budgeted 110 billion yen (~.91 billion USD) toward the Post-K computer, including research, development and acquisition, and application development. The complete project cost currently stands at 130 billion yen with the difference (20 billion yen) being funded by Fujistu, however trusted sources tell us that Fujitsu is currently negotiating to increase its compensation. A final budget is expected to be announced in 2017.

SOURCES – HPCWire