Mizuta and Takase have been thinking a lot about learning since they were in high school. It's true that our university has a rich research environment, including large-scale experimental equipment such as the Instrumental Analysis Center and systems for maintaining them. In addition to the hardware, we also have professionals who provide guidance and maintenance so that faculty and students can use the equipment safely and smoothly, and I think another feature is that we can make effective use of the facilities.
I would also especially recommend our unique university-wide common education system, "The Aoyama Standard." It is a university-wide common curriculum that allows students to acquire the knowledge and skills they will need in the future, and even as a teacher, I am sometimes surprised by the reactions and opinions of students from other faculties, which is a great learning experience.

I applied to this university because I thought it was an open university to the world and wanted to interact with people from all over the world. In reality, there were not as many international students as there are now, but once, when I was a doctoral student, a professor from the School of School of International Politics, Economics and Communication gave me the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations at Aoyama Campus. I was selected as a representative of College of Science and Engineering, and together with students representing other faculties, we did group work on various world issues and asked the Secretary-General questions. In the process, I learned the difficulty and importance of communicating with people in different fields. Recently, I have been conducting joint research with researchers from various countries around the world and accepting international students, and I feel that the experience I gained at that time is the foundation of my current situation.

Yes, I think you have a lot of worries. Mizuta and Takase came to me this summer saying, "I want to do research in the future, but I'm not sure what to do." What are you thinking about now?

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it. When I was a student, I simply enjoyed research, and I was doing whatever I wanted, such as working on seven research themes at the same time. I was also blessed with a teacher who accepted that. However, I didn't have the goal of "becoming a researcher" at the beginning. I think it's really wonderful that both of you are thinking clearly about your future.
In many cases, students are assigned to a research lab in their fourth year and graduate just as their research is starting to become interesting, so I recommend that those who are undecided go on to graduate school first. It is also important to create an environment that allows them to continue on to graduate school, including the understanding of their family. The experience of working on a topic that interests you over time, planning your own path, making mistakes and overcoming them as you move forward in research activities is an experience that can be utilized in any profession. I think this is true for both humanities and sciences.

Well, actually I get bored easily and am impatient. (laughs)

In fact, I think that's why I can continue. Even if you're working on one theme, as you progress with your research, many small issues that need to be resolved will come up. It's like the branches and leaves are growing in various directions. When you come across an issue or a problem that you can't move forward with unless you solve it, it's important to be able to list many possible causes and solutions. It's advantageous to be interested in many things, rather than being absorbed in just one thing. If you want to pursue a career in research, it's a good idea to train yourself to formulate a variety of hypotheses.

This is also a difficult question. Even within a single theme, there are many different issues and questions, and even if one problem is solved, a new problem will arise. When things just aren't going well, I try to switch my mindset and say, "It can't be helped for now, but maybe I'll figure something out soon," and tackle another problem. In fact, even when something isn't going well, I have never considered it a "slump."
You may think that research is something that produces big results, but for example, when writing a graduation thesis, it doesn't have to be some big discovery. It's OK if you can explain what you've done so far, including what didn't work out. You can use the results to tackle another project, or someone else can use them to advance their research.

Universities are places of education for people who will take flight into society, and I find it rewarding not only to research but also to teach. Even students who look a little unreliable when they are assigned to a laboratory will look sharp once they have mastered a research topic and completed a thesis. One of the joys of doing this job is being able to send out students who can play an active role in society. In terms of research itself, it is a truly exciting moment when you discover something that no one knew before, or when multiple themes come together and the truth suddenly becomes clear. Furthermore, by compiling this information into a paper or patent and disseminating it to the world, you can contribute to the future development of science and technology and people's lives, which is the best part of research.
One of the best parts of this job is being able to connect with people all over the world through research. A research paper is the first step in communicating with the world. If you meet researchers you've met through a paper at an international conference and expand your interactions, the scope of your research will also expand. Some of my current co-researchers are not only unable to continue their research due to war and conflict, but are even in danger of losing their lives. I'm grateful that Japan is at peace. I want to cooperate with everyone around the world, even indirectly, so that such things don't happen in all countries and regions. When accepting researchers and students from overseas, we try to understand the customs of their country or region as much as possible and create a research environment so that we can all work comfortably in the same space.

Both Takase and Mizuta said that they want to contribute to people through their research. I think they are giving it a lot of thought. This also relates to the development of "servant leaders"*, which has been important at our university since its founding. Is there anything you are thinking about to become a servant leader?

*Servant leader: A person who embodies the spirit of Aoyama motto, "Salt of the earth, light of the world," finds his or her own mission, willingly serves people and society, and whose way of life is a guide. Aoyama cultivates servant leaders who pave the way for the future for all people and society.

That's a very encouraging opinion. I am conscious of my own actions as a servant leader, but more than that, I try to always smile. In research and in laboratory management, various things happen every day. The common thread among the people I respect and think "I want to live like this person" is that they never stop smiling, whether in good times or bad. I once read in a book that even in times of difficulty, if a leader smiles, the whole team will be pulled along by that and become tenacious, which will attract luck and happiness, and I have actually had many experiences like that.
It was a lot of fun listening to the two of you today as you pursue your dream of becoming researchers. Currently, there are still few female researchers, but the environment is improving, such as by setting up daycare centers in conference venues. Don't give up on what you want to do just because you're a woman. Take advantage of the gradually improving support system in society and forge ahead to realize your dreams.