For the past seven years, while occasionally exploring different themes, I have been researching noncommutative amenable actions—a special symmetry in infinite dimensional objects. This is a theme whose significance was discovered and developed by myself so I feel particularly attached to it.

There are many types of outstanding researchers, but personally, I respect researchers who demonstrate high originality or foresight—those doing work that only they could do—more than “intelligent researchers” who broadly understand existing research or excel at refinement and integration. Recently, as Professor George Elliott of the University of Toronto, who pioneered the classification theory of C*-algebras and has maintained a leading position for nearly half a century, has moved closer to my own research theme, I’ve come to truly appreciate his greatness.

Walking, carefully rereading papers I read long ago, reading books unrelated to math, getting plenty of sleep. I also think it’s important to go on trips or invite visitors, attend to research presentations, give a research presentation, and engage in casual conversation.