RIKEN Center for Computational Science

RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Name	RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Established	2010
Type	Research and development
Director	Satoshi Matsuoka
Parent	RIKEN
Location	Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan
Website	https://www.r-ccs.riken.jp/

RIKEN Center for Computational Science. It is a premier research institute within the RIKEN family, dedicated to advancing the frontiers of computational science and high-performance computing. Established in its current form in 2010 and located in Kobe, the center operates some of the world's most powerful supercomputers. Its mission encompasses pioneering research in simulation, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence to address grand challenges in science and society.

History and Background

The center's origins are deeply tied to the legacy of the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science, which was founded to propel Japan's capabilities in supercomputing. A pivotal moment came with the development and deployment of the K computer, a project led in collaboration with Fujitsu which achieved top ranking in 2011. This success solidified the institute's international reputation and provided the impetus for its evolution. The strategic decision to consolidate and expand these efforts led to the formal establishment of the current center, ensuring a sustained focus on next-generation computational infrastructure. Its location within the Kobe Computational Science Cluster was chosen to foster synergy with other leading research entities like the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research.

Research Activities and Facilities

Core research spans a vast array of disciplines, leveraging advanced simulation and data science methodologies. Major initiatives include projects in computational astrophysics, climate modeling, materials science, and drug discovery, often utilizing innovative quantum chemistry codes. The center develops cutting-edge software and middleware to optimize performance on its massive systems, contributing to fields like computational fluid dynamics and genomics. Its facilities are anchored by the world-class supercomputing infrastructure, which provides essential resources for both in-house researchers and a broad user community through programs like the HPCI initiative. These activities are supported by specialized teams focusing on system software, applications, and performance engineering.

Fugaku Supercomputer

The center's flagship system is Fugaku, developed jointly with Fujitsu and ARM-based A64FX processors. Named after an alternative word for Mount Fuji, it achieved the number one position on the TOP500, HPCG, and HPL-AI benchmarks in 2020, demonstrating balanced excellence. Fugaku was deployed to tackle urgent societal issues, including COVID-19 research for drug discovery and epidemiology modeling. Its architecture is designed for both traditional high-performance computing and emerging big data and artificial intelligence workloads. The system has been instrumental in projects supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and is a cornerstone of Japan's national research strategy.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The center is organized into several strategic units, including the Operations and Computer Technologies Division and the Big Data Engineering Division. It is led by Director Satoshi Matsuoka, a renowned figure in global high-performance computing circles. Research is conducted through interdisciplinary teams and laboratories, such as those focused on computational climate science and computational materials science. The leadership works closely with advisory panels and the broader RIKEN executive, including the RIKEN President, to align with national science policy. This structure ensures efficient operation of its massive computational resources while fostering innovative, cross-cutting research programs.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The center maintains an extensive network of domestic and international partnerships. It is a key player in the High Performance Computing Infrastructure project in Japan and collaborates with major universities like the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. Internationally, it partners with institutions such as the Argonne National Laboratory and is involved in global forums like the International Supercomputing Conference. Industrial collaborations with technology giants like Fujitsu and NVIDIA are crucial for hardware and software development. These partnerships extend to joint research projects funded by agencies including the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

Impact and Achievements

The center's impact is evidenced by its consistent production of groundbreaking research published in top journals like Nature and Science. Its supercomputers, from the K computer to Fugaku, have enabled Nobel Prize-level science in areas such as cosmology and condensed matter physics. It has received numerous accolades, including the Gordon Bell Prize for outstanding achievements in high-performance computing applications. Beyond academia, its work has direct societal benefits, contributing to disaster prevention, personalized medicine, and the development of new materials. The center also plays a vital role in training the next generation of computational scientists through its fellowship and visiting researcher programs.

Category:RIKEN Category:Research institutes in Japan Category:Supercomputer sites Category:Organizations based in Kobe Category:2010 establishments in Japan