EDITORIAL: Japan should help researchers build on supercomputer title

In the first piece of encouraging news for Japan in a long time, the Japanese supercomputer "K computer" placed No. 1 in the world in terms of computing speed.

The last domestic supercomputer to achieve the world's best speed was the Earth Simulator, which remained on top from June 2002 to June 2004.

True to its name, the K computer, named after the Japanese word "kei" (10 quadrillion), has the ability to perform 10 quadrillion (10,000 trillion) calculations per second. It is being jointly developed by the Riken research institute and Fujitsu Ltd. with a goal for completion in summer 2012. The total project cost is 112 billion yen ($1.4 billion).

The supercomputer comprises 864 calculating machines, each as large as a telephone booth, that are connected together to advance calculations. Although it is only about 80 percent complete, the K computer, having achieved more than 8,000 trillion calculations per second, still became the world's fastest supercomputer.

The development of K-class supercomputers had been regarded as a difficult task in unexplored territory. The accomplishment is the fruit of passion and hard work of all parties concerned, including business partners that suffered damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake.

But we cannot simply be wild with joy over the feat.

Competition in this area remains fierce.

Last fall, a Chinese supercomputer achieved the title as the world's fastest machine for the first time, defeating a U.S.-made one. While the United States has fallen behind its Asian rivals, it is advancing a number of projects to develop supercomputers with higher levels of performance than the K computer and looks certain to reclaim the crown in the near future.

But supercomputers are nothing more than tools. What is important is to fully use their capabilities to produce research results that can dramatically advance science, technology and industries. The Earth Simulator, for example, contributed to research on climate change and other areas.

In particular, researchers look to the high performance of K-level machines to help them unravel complex life phenomena. It is hoped that research will produce findings that could lead to improved treatment of illnesses and development of drugs.

Moreover, Japan faces many problems, such as developing new materials for solar cells and disaster prevention. To effectively use supercomputers, we urge the government to broadly solicit the wisdom of researchers.

At the same time, given that the importance of computers is expected to grow for the future of science and technology, a national computer strategy that eyes cutting-edge technology as well as industrial use is needed. What will be the purpose and the ability of the next supercomputer after K?

During the screening process of publicly funded projects by the Government Revitalization Unit in autumn 2009, the K computer project was singled out by Renho, now special adviser to the prime minister, who asked, "Isn't being No. 2 good enough?" The exchange also shed light on the lack of such strategies and explanations in Japan.

Science and technology have a major role to play in recovering from the damage of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. We want researchers to make remarkable achievements that prompt us to say, "After all, we should be No. 1." This will inspire young people who will lead the next generation.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 4