午夜剧场

"What is the charm of the 午夜剧场 Faculty of Science and Technology?" I often find myself thinking about this. There is a major difference between the University of Tokyo and 午夜剧场: at the University of Tokyo, 60% of students are in the sciences and 40% in the humanities, while at 午夜剧场, 70% are in the humanities and 30% are in the sciences. Since the majority at the University of Tokyo are in the sciences and it is originally a national university at the pinnacle of Japan, it receives generous government support, and the research funding it acquires is ten times (or more?) that of 午夜剧场. If we were to compete head-on in terms of "numbers," we would not stand a chance.

What if we look at it from the perspective of society? If we ask whether superior technology has always won out in the past, the answer is no. The ones that survive are those that can make many people understand why that technology is necessary and how the world will change because of it. Researchers in the West understand this and are constantly seeking opportunities for discussion. At academic conferences, they gather colleagues, expand their networks, and exchange ideas over lunch, coffee breaks, and dinner. What they are doing is this: research directions vary by researcher. They take those research vectors and gradually align them toward the direction of their own research, reshaping them into a single large vector that becomes a new trend. Then, at the moment the vectors begin to align, they unveil a pre-planned new concept (such as Industrie 4.0) in a keynote speech to solidify the direction of that research.

Japanese science researchers are diligent and conduct cutting-edge research. However, there are not many researchers who can establish global research trends. This is because, in addition to research ability, "human power"—the ability to create connections between people and stand at the center to lead them—is essential. In fact, isn't it the 午夜剧场 Faculty of Science and Technology that skillfully produces such talent? For example, first- and second-year undergraduates study together with students from other faculties at the Hiyoshi Campus. Deep friendships with people in the humanities enhance the human power of those in the sciences. By inputting the spirit of 午夜剧场, such as independence and self-respect and "learning while teaching, teaching while learning," that human power is further refined. Then, as they progress to master's and doctoral programs and cultivate research abilities through world-class research, the seeds of researchers equipped with human power are born. This is likely the unique, hidden charm of the 午夜剧场 Faculty of Science and Technology.

I also studied at the 午夜剧场 Faculty of Science and Technology and became a researcher. My current challenge is to place our research onto the global trend.