I have experience in many different fields and places, and have interacted with many people.

My first assignment after finishing graduate school was at the Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba. Then, two years later, I went to the Research Institute of Natural Sciences at Chungnam National University in Korea. After that, I worked at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), then at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy, the University of Sydney (Australia), and then at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University. At Kagoshima University, I was seconded to the intergovernmental organization SKA Observatory (SKAO) and stayed at Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK). Then, I joined the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) in 2017. I have been to many different places, have worked in many different fields, and have interacted with diverse people.

Of course, this has been a challenge. Every time I moved to a new place, I tried to work on a local research theme, so it takes time to start preparing for the research and to achieve results. But I was able to learn a lot, and what I gained was so irreplaceable.

One of the major reasons for changing jobs is that I often receive offers from outside parties. I was evaluated as “Well studied and energetic!” when I was young. Recently, it seems that many people are approaching me because they see my experience overseas; and my communication and leadership skills in projects.

Since coming to NAOJ, there has been a major change in my mindset.

I have a strong feeling that I have been guided in the path I should take in each place I have worked. First, at the University of Tsukuba, it was team building. I saw firsthand the importance of the process of gathering the necessary budget and people, making a plan, and then executing it. Then, my Korean professor was very trend-conscious, and from him I learned how to react to opportunities quickly. In Sydney, astronomy is all about finding interesting things. I was taught a very different mindset from what I had been used to.

Until recently, I was young and thought that all I had to do was work on my own research as hard as I can. But when I came to NAOJ, I had a major change in my mindset and realized that I had to sweat for the sake of future generations. NAOJ is an Inter-University Research Institute Corporation, so its mission is to serve the community. I became more aware that I am here to work for that purpose.

Currently, I am managing information gathering, problem solving, and planning for Japan’s participation in the SKA (Square Kilometre Array) project. ^{(Note 1)} I have been involved in this project for about 10 years now, but from the beginning, I have always believed that this is about the “people” involved; I strongly felt the need to gather collaborators. I have adopted the words of warlord Shingen Takeda, “People are the castle, people are the stone walls ......,” as my motto for this work. I think that my past experiences with a wide variety of people have been useful in this regard.

• ^{(Note 1)} A gigantic radio interferometer project covering frequencies ranging from 100 megahertz to 25 gigahertz with 2000 to 3000 antennas. It is expected to explore the complex molecular emission lines involved in the history of life in the Universe and to solve various astronomical problems such as the search for planetary systems; galaxy evolution; structure formation in the Universe; testing the theory of relativity in a gravitational field; and elucidating dark energy. (SKA-JP website)(In Japanese)

I don’t want to miss the opportunity to participate in the SKA project.

About three years after I moved to NAOJ I actually applied for a position at the SKAO Global Headquarters in the UK, and was hired. I thought I would move to the headquarters, but when I told NAOJ that I had been hired by SKA, they said they wanted me to continue working here as well. It took some work on their part, but in the end SKA and NAOJ agreed to each pay me 50% of my salary. I’ve been told, this was the first time that an intergovernmental organization and NAOJ had entered into a cross appointment system. I was happy that I was the first. Now that I have set the precedent, it will be easier for others to follow suit. I thought, “I did it!”

Since I have lived my life by watching my predecessors, I want to be someone who can at least show young people that there is a world of dreams ahead of them ...... and that “it’s fun, fun, fun.”

So far, Japan has not yet allocated a large budget to participate in the SKA project. However, since I became involved in this project, I have been thinking that, more than my own research, whether or not Japanese researchers can have SKA observing time is quite important for the development of Japanese astronomy and science. I am not sure if Japan can participate or if we can allocate a budget, but on the other hand, I am afraid that we have too much to lose if we miss this opportunity.

The Academic Assistant System has been very helpful!

We are raising a two-year-old child, and I have to pick him up from nursery today, but NAOJ’s Academic Assistant System ^{(Note 2)} has been very helpful. This system allows research support staff to help me with my research and make up for any shortfall in my work effort. In my case, I have an assistant two days a week. Then three days a week, I have permission to work from home, because NAOJ staff is allowed to do so when it is more efficient to work from home due to raising children or taking care of family members. I can participate in overseas meetings during my normal commute time, which is really helpful. The Academic Assistant System and the remote work system are two of my favorite features of working at NAOJ.

• ^{(Note 2)} Academic Assistant System (NAOJ Gender Equality Promotion Committee)

Interview Date: December 5, 2023 / Published: October 17, 2024
Interview & Article: Masami Usuda / Translation: Hiroko Komiyama and Ramsey Lundock / Photo: Shogo Nagayama
The contents of this article are as of the interview date.