The researchers that I respect are Prof. Teruyuki Nakajima and Dr. Hirofumi Tomita. Prof. Nakajima was my supervisor from the master’s program to the doctoral program, and Dr. Tomita was my boss when I worked at RIKEN as a post-doctoral researcher. They both have made great achievements in the fields of radiation, meteorology, and climate science, especially in the development of weather and climate models. However, the main reason I respect them is that they work not only for their own research but also for young researchers. Their approach to work has greatly influenced my research and educational activities.

My hobby is watching sports, such as baseball, soccer, basketball, rugby, American football, tennis, table tennis, softball, and marathon. Among them, I get really excited watching basketball games, since I played basketball on several club teams until I was 35 years old. However, my spectating style is similar to my approach to research. When I watch a sports game, I watch calmly with analyzing the game, e.g., trying to read the game, trying to understand the mind of players. Such style of spectating does not seem to be common and is not easy to be understood. So, my friends often say, “Are you really enjoying the game?”. I always answer, “Absolutely! I’m having so much fun!”.

My most precious experience before I work as a researcher was working in a private company. When I finished my master’s course, I wanted to go on to a doctoral course, but for economic reasons I was not able to do so. However, I returned to the doctoral course after working for a year in a railway company (the private company). My experience in the company taught me a different way of thinking from the research community, and such experience has been very useful when I discuss about collaboration with people from the private company. On top of that, the many friends I have made at the company are so nice and irreplaceable to me!