NEC to drop supercomputer project
May 15, 2009
By Sapa-AFP
Tokyo - NEC would withdraw from Japan's government-backed supercomputer project as part of its efforts to cut costs during the economic slump, the ailing Tokyo-based information technology giant said yesterday.
NEC has been involved since 2007 in developing a next-generation supercomputer, with the Riken institute and electronics makers Hitachi and Fujitsu. The project aims to design and build the fastest supercomputer in the world, for use in scientific research from life sciences to nanotechnology.
Following the move, Hitachi - which developed the "vector" central processing unit (CPU) jointly with NEC - had also decided to pull out, the institute said.
NEC has long been one of the top players, along with Intel and IBM, in the development of supercomputers.
But the Japanese group, which lost ¥296.6 billion (R26.1bn) in the year to March, said it had decided to pull out as the team had completed the development stage, and was now moving to testing and manufacturing.
"The company is working to strengthen profitability by all means, including cutting jobs and reviewing projects amid the exacerbating economic environment," NEC said.
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