午夜剧场

I conduct research on materials from a physical chemistry perspective. To date, I have engaged in international joint research with researchers from a diverse range of countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Romania, and China. I usually communicate with my collaborators via email, but when we meet at international conferences or visit each other's laboratories, we hold research seminars and discussions. Afterward, we eat together, go to karaoke, or I accompany them on souvenir shopping trips. I have learned that getting to know one another and spending time together is extremely important for building scientific trust. I have also learned that mutual trust is vital for advancing joint research.

Now, through talking with researchers from various countries in this way, I have noticed something. Since scientific research requires spending a vast amount of time to achieve results, I learned that how to secure research time is a common concern for researchers all over the world. For example, a researcher from Poland happily told me, "I live near the university because I go to check on my experiments even in the middle of the night." A French researcher said with a laugh, "I go home for dinner once, and after my family is fast asleep, I return to the lab and research until dawn. When my wife asks, 'Did you sleep well?' I always answer, 'I slept great!' But I'd rather be researching than sleeping." Another French researcher said, "At my university, there is a rule that you cannot enter the building after 10:00 PM. Even though some experiments require overnight measurements, I can't do any research! It's truly painful not being able to experiment. Once, I forgot something I needed for an overseas business trip in the lab and tried to sneak in after 10:00 PM; the siren went off and the police rushed over. I have now given up on going to the lab after 10:00 PM." Incidentally, the researcher who told me this story quit the university afterward. Recently in Japan, there has been a lot of talk about work-style reform. I think it is a wonderful thing for leading a humane life. On the other hand, people want to research more. I hope we become a society where such feelings of researchers are also more respected.