Supercomputer Use

Supercomputer use by foreign nationals or persons affiliated with a foreign institution
Tohoku University has supercomputers in the Center for Computational Materials of the Institute for Materials Research, the Advanced Fluid Information Research Center of the Institute of Fluid Science, and the Cyberscience Center. These leading-edge, large-scale scientific computing environments and advanced use environments are made available, along with technical support, for the purposes of academic research, education, and contribution to society.
To provide an environment in which people can use the supercomputers with confidence, the University has strengthened confirmation based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (“Foreign Exchange Act”) in application for system use, and is now administering the process as described below.
A supercomputer draws on various highly advanced technologies, and the technologies for use (including user manuals and software) may include those regulated by the Foreign Exchange Act. For some applicants, use must therefore be approved by Tohoku University upon completing the confirmation and procedures required by the Act.
For foreign nationals and persons affiliated with a foreign institution, while we regret the inconvenience, a certain amount of time may be necessary between application and the start of use. We ask for your understanding, and also for your cooperation in following the procedures and preparing the documents required by the Act.

▼ Persons affiliated with a foreign institution (non-Japanese university, laboratory, company, etc.)
Note: Those entering the name of a foreign institution for their Affiliation on the application form
▼ Foreign nationals (those not affiliated with a foreign institution)
Note: Example: An instructor or international student at a Japanese university

●Persons affiliated with a foreign institution (non-Japanese university, laboratory, company, etc.)
⇒ When submitting an application for supercomputer system use by the method indicated by each Center, notify the following two items to the clerk on a Residency Checklist or the like.
     Q1. Whether at least six months have passed since you entered Japan
     Q2. Whether you work in an office (university, company, research institution, etc.) in Japan
⇒⇒ If the location of the affiliated institution is in a non-white country, permission of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to provide services may be necessary. In such a case, the Center may request submission of the following documents, for which your cooperation is asked.

  • Proof of affiliation in the institution
  • Materials indicating the research content, background, objectives, and anticipated benefits
  • Materials indicating the research implementation plan and methods
  • Materials demonstrating the applicant’s research and accomplishments to date

Note: Any format may be used, but please prepare documentation in Japanese to the extent possible.
Note: Request for documents in addition to the above may be made as directed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Non-white countries: Countries or regions other than the following white countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and U.S.A.

●Foreign nationals (those not affiliated with a foreign institution)
⇒ When submitting an application for supercomputer system use by the method indicated by each Center, confirm the following two items on a Residency Checklist or the like.
     Q1. Whether at least six months have passed since you entered Japan
     Q2. Whether you work in an office (university, company, research institution, etc.) in Japan
⇒ If neither Q1 nor Q2 applies (you have not been in Japan for at least six months and you do not work in Japan), indicate this to the application clerk and submit a resume (any format) and copy of your residence card.
     Note: If you have not been issued a residence card, notify your nationality, birth date, residence status, and term of residence (including date of expiry).
⇒ If either or both of Q1 and Q2 applies, indicate this to the application clerk when submitting an application for use.
⇒⇒ For persons for whom it is confirmed that certain conditions apply, permission of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to provide services may be necessary. In such a case, the Center may request submission of the following documents, for which your cooperation is asked.

  • Proof of affiliation in the institution
  • Materials indicating the research content, background, objectives, and anticipated benefits
  • Materials indicating the research implementation plan and methods
  • Materials demonstrating the applicant’s research and accomplishments to date

Note: Any format may be used, but please prepare documentation in Japanese to the extent possible.
Note: Request for documents in addition to the above may be made as directed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.