FACOM 230-75 APU

The FACOM 230-75 APU (for array processing unit*1) was Japan’s first vector computer. Examination of the FACOM 230-75 APU began in 1973 under the leadership of Ikeda Toshio, and after many changes in methodology, functions, and architectures, it was completed in 1977. The computer was installed at the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (which became the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in October 2003) and began operating in August 1977 just one year after the CRAY-1 supercomputer was introduced in the United States.