SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- A Japanese supercomputer that studies the climate and other aspects of the Earth maintained its ranking as the world's fastest computer, according to a study released Friday. The Earth Simulator in Yokohama, Japan, performs 35.86 trillion calculations per second -- more than 4 1/2 times greater than the next-fastest machine. Earth Simulator, built by NEC and run by the Japanese government, first appeared on the list in June. It was the first time a supercomputer outside the United States topped the list. Two new machines, called "ASCI Q," debuted in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. The computers, which each can run 7.73 trillion calculations per second, were built by Hewlett-Packard Co. for Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.