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Home town: Osaka
Lived in Kumamoto: 4 years
Living expenses per month: JPY 100,000
Favorite local dish: Ikinari Dango
What surprised you about Kumamoto: When I arrived at the Kumamoto train station for the first time, I was surprised that unlike most Japanese towns there were no shops and not many people.
Daily routine: I go to the laboratory at around 8:30 a.m. where I do experiments and paper work, and teach my junior colleagues. I usually go home at around 10 p.m. |
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\Why did you choose IMEG for your research?
During my undergraduate researches I developed an interest in the complex mechanism of genes and the way they operate to create the individual.
For my post-graduate studies I wanted to focus on further analysis of animals that make use of gene recombination. I chose my present research laboratory because it is well known as a leader in this field.
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\How did you feel about studying a long way from your hometown?
The distance was not a problem. My hobby is snowboarding and I was afraid that I would not be able to do it here. But I was happy to find ski runs in Oita Prefecture (Kuju) and Miyazaki Prefecture (Gokase) which are not far. |
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\Are you satisfied with the academic research environment?
IMEG is an independent research centre.
Everybody has the status of gresearcherh and is free to concentrate on their own specialty. It's great to be able to design my own independent experiments but it can be also stressful (laughs). |
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\Do you have any problems with the school or living expenses?
It is possible to live and study here without being financially dependent on your parents. In addition to scholarship and a tuition exemption scheme, employment is available through a system of teaching and research assistants and junior research associates. |
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\Do you like Kumamoto?
Yes. I like this kind of compact place where I reach everything by bicycle. I was surprised to see late night revelers still walking the streets at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning not worrying about the last train. It is fun but probably not good for the body (laughs). |
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\What is your message for young students?
In choosing your school it's important not to be simply attracted by the bright lights of big cities, you should do what you really want to do I think. Even though IMEG is a research center at a small town university, the research funding is excellent and there are many great professors. With the program selected by the Global COE, your research will benefit from the weekly lectures given by prominent visiting scientists. |
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