SIPA, the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University
by Momoko Nakayama Dear Supporters of the Ito Foundation USA – Friends of U Tokyo Scholarship, “Maybe you should wear pants instead of skirts if you’re going to be out late.” When I was younger, my mother would habitually give me this advice as I was heading out the door. Understanding her concern, I used to avoid mini skirts when I knew I would be coming home late – until I learned about the concept of “The personal is political” in my undergraduate gender and sexuality class. Since then, I have come to understand that most social issues, including gender inequality, are not the outcome of individual choices but rather part of a wider systemic injustice. This made me realize that in solving social challenges, it is critical for one to approach them through the “political,” or the “public” lens, to address the defects in our social structure that breeds inequality. Yet, far too often, the “public” lens is overlooked when it comes to gender issues including sexual assaults, leading to poster campaigns that merely ask victims “to be more alert,” reinforcing society’s intransigence towards gender issues. To solve social problems such as gender inequality, I believe that it should not be up to the marginalized to seek ways of surviving this unjust society, but it should instead be about making systemic changes to the current social fabric. This endeavor to tackle gender inequality with the “public” lens through policy design is what kindled my interest to pursue a dual degree opportunity at Columbia University. This was the opening to my personal statement that I submitted to FUTI, as I was hoping to secure a way for me to pursue my studies abroad. Looking back nearly a year later, I can confidently say that the dual-degree combination of GraSPP, Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo and SIPA, the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University has been the perfect corollary for me. Through the dual-degree program, I was able to first cultivate principal knowledge of law, politics, and economics during my first year at GraSPP. This pragmatic knowledge is now enhanced with the capacity of diagnosing the implications for gender in various programs and policies, as I pursued a specialization in gender and public policy during my second year at SIPA. Combining the strong foundations of policy making with an aptitude in gender mainstreaming, I am now able to employ gender analysis as a strategy to illuminate the intersectional impacts of gender as an integral dimension of the design, evaluation, and implementation of policies. Provided that gender relations are intrinsically related to all social domains – from security to climate change and beyond, integrating gender insights into policy design will be key to ensuring that systemic inequality is not perpetuated. I am confident that the competencies acquired through my academic endeavors will prove to be beneficial in any work that I undertake in the future. However, this is not to say that I have found a grand solution to the original inquiry I started with. On the contrary, I will be graduating from GraSPP and SIPA with more questions, conundrums, and dilemmas than ever before. These quandaries were particularly heightened during the final weeks of my time at Columbia, as Columbia and its students, including myself, found themselves at the epicenter of a global student movement, calling for an end to colonization, occupation, and oppression. Despite the enormous solidarity seen amongst students across the globe, the movement was met by mass arrests of students, and the militarization of our campus. As I witnessed extreme police brutality engulf our campus, I could not help but question; how can it be that this academic institution, that has given me the knowledge and tools around human rights, enable, encourage, and sustain anti-human rights agendas? This contradiction has led me to further questions, which include, but are not limited to – when we talk about “human” rights or “women’s” rights, exactly who is included, and who is not? Have gender experts and scholars, including myself, been complicit in the convergence of gender equality with neoliberal capitalism that facilitates the oppressions that we are trying to address? How can we instrument structural change that challenges existing power relations? And finally, what kinds of “equality” are we seeking to facilitate? While these questions highlight the tensions between academics and real-world application, despite it all, if there is one thing I could proudly take away from the past year, that would be the importance of embracing ambiguities, ambivalences, and contradictions involved in any academic endeavor. No, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to reach the be-all, end-all solution to your inquiries in just two years. No, your experiences will probably not be full of roses and champagne. And yes, pursuing an academic inquiry will most likely be a constant navigation of ambiguities, complexities, and at times, compromises. In spite of it all, if anyone is grappling with an intellectual enigma that keeps them up at night, I would highly recommend giving a postgraduate degree, and a study-abroad opportunity a chance. It is through the embracing of ambiguities and ambivalences involved in the process of “learning” that we can tease out the tensions and struggles to collectively seek creative ways of promoting transformative change. Afterall, the role of academia is to engage, to exhort, to establish, to influence. And thus, it is my hope that everyone is given the opportunity to pursue their inquisitive spirit, which I believe will be the building blocks for optimistic change. I would like to take this time to convey my deepest gratitude to Ito Foundation USA, as well as Friends of U Tokyo for your generous support throughout my time at Columbia University. It was with your support that I was able to pursue my academic as well as professional ambition in the US, and I am truly honored and humbled to have been chosen as a recipient. As mentioned in my
Professor Yasushi Okada’s lab at the University of Tokyo
by Hunter Liu This summer, through the University of Tokyo Research Internship Program, I interned for six weeks in Professor Yasushi Okada’s lab at the University of Tokyo. Under the supervision of my mentor, Assistant Professor Takanobu Katoh, I investigated the localization patterns of a specific protein, polycistin-2 (Pkd2), within the primary cilia of various cell types and how those patterns change upon the addition of a specific morphogen. Pkd2 was originally discovered as one of the genes that cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), but researchers are still uncovering its functions today. In the primary cilium, a non-motile appendage protruding from certain cell types that are not actively dividing, the Pkd2 protein combines with other proteins to form a sensor that detects fluid flow across the cell. This sensor affects many important processes within humans and other vertebrates, ranging from calcium homeostasis within cells to the breaking of left-right symmetry within mammalian embryos. Determining where Pkd2 localizes within the cilium is crucial to understanding its mechanism of action. However, until a few years ago, without nanometer-level optical resolution, studying Pkd2’s localization patterns was nearly impossible. Now, with super-resolution microscopy, we can finally observe these patterns. I spent the first several weeks optimizing cell culture conditions for microscopy observation, trying to find the optimal conditions for growing and observing cilia. While superficially straightforward, this task proved to be nontrivial. I eventually discovered that cilia grew on the cell lines I was using only after several days at full confluency, aided by a specific cell coating. While experimenting with various cell culture conditions, I also optimized the immunostaining procedure and practiced sample observation via the confocal microscope. Once I had developed a reasonable workflow, I began observing samples via a stimulated emission-depletion (STED) microscope that would provide resolution down to 40 nanometers. I completed several experimental runs, scanned my samples, and analyzed the raw data to determine whether Pkd2 localized to a specific side of the cilium. Unfortunately, it was difficult to obtain any statistically rigorous conclusions regarding Pkd2 localization patterns due to software issues with the STED microscope, but my results will inform my mentor’s future work in this area. Additionally, my mentor provided a healthy balance of independence and guidance, enabling me to grow in my ability and confidence to conduct research experiments independently. I had an amazing experience within my lab, but I learned at least as much outside of it. This was my first time coming to Japan, and initially it wasn’t easy despite having taken some Japanese language courses. Finding specific toiletries and ordering from a menu with unfamiliar dishes were some of the interesting challenges I tackled. However, as I acclimated to Japanese culture, I grew to appreciate it. I felt Tokyo’s pulse at the Shibuya Crossing, tried a few delicious restaurants at Shinjuku, visited nine-story shops in Akihabara and Ginza, and tasted some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever had at the Tsukiji fish market. I was also fortunate enough to travel via the shinkansen to Kyoto for a weekend and attend the Gion Matsuri. These attractions are what Tokyo, and Japan in general, are known for. They paint Tokyo and Japan in terms not entirely inaccurate: a bustling land with flashy culture, ultramodern technology, and unimaginable convenience. But Tokyo and Japan are far more than that. Every day I took a new route going to and from my lab, and as a result I chanced upon delicious hole- in-the-wall restaurants and a historic well. While exploring the massive and tranquil Shinjuku Gyōen, a park ranger and I exchanged our surprise at seeing a group of rhinoceros beetles in broad daylight. In Kyoto, because my friend and I decided impromptu to trek down the backside of a mountain instead of returning to the attraction we went there for, we experienced a beautiful sunset overlooking Kyoto. I cherished these small moments because they were a glimpse into the less obvious parts of Japan and Japanese culture; those that are understated, insulated from the hustle and bustle, and/or dependent upon heavier effort. Above all else, the true highlight of my time in Japan was the amazing people I got to meet. My research mentors tolerated my broken Japanese and strove to comprehensively answer my questions despite the language barrier. The owner of one restaurant in Kyoto offered us her delicious tea for free, and even tried to gift us her umbrellas. My friends in my lab and program exposed me to perspectives from around the world. I am glad that I participated in the UTRIP program and grateful to the Okada lab, UTRIP, and FUTI for making all this possible. My six weeks in Japan changed the way I look at the world, and I’ll treasure the pictures and memories I made in Japan for the rest of my life.
UTSIP Laboratory of Signal Transduction
by Cecilia Lei I have never thought about study abroad before as such a great experience, but that changed after getting financial support from Friends of Tokyo. Even though it was my first time in Japan and Japanese University, I got immediately intrigued by how beautiful the University of Tokyo was and how people here were nice and hospitable. I joined the Suzuki Sensei’s Lab under the integrated biosciences department at the graduate studies of the University of Tokyo in Chiba. Our main focus was on studying autophagic mechanism in yeast cell model. Autophagy is a cellular recycling mechanism within cell that help the cell to get rid of endogenous or exogenous sources of waste materials. I also studied autophagy in my college, but I only studied disease model but not the underlying mechanism behind this complex cellular mechanism. I learned how to culture yeast cells for the first time in my life. I also mated yeast cells, which was super interesting but at the same time very time-consuming and stressful because of the transient nature of yeast cells. Given that yeasts are such small cells under light microscope, it took me more than an hour to conduct successful mating. One of the most amazing aspect of the lab was that I was able to master how to use the fluorescent microscope. Those genetically engineered cells with a mNeonGreen protein attaching to the outside of autophagosome, a double membraned organelle crucial in autophagy, I was able to use the microscope to take images of green cells and identify different morphological differences or number differences. It might all seem easy, but every step in this research experience took a lot of work, practice, and attention. I failed several experiments the first time I tried to conduct them, and I even stayed up late at night in the lab in order to get positive results. Thankfully, everything paid off. I was able to give a presentation at the end of the research to other students and professors in the UTSIP program and that was really a rewarding experience since I got understandings and affirmations from my peers and teachers. I was lucky enough to be selected into the UTSIP program and got funded by FUTI Scholarship not only in that I got research experience, but also I was able to use the scholarship and travel near Tokyo. My friend took me to Yokohama and we had a great experience in there since we went to an animal interacting place where we could pet different animals. We also went near the sea to see the beautiful view there. Overall, I would really like to thank UTSIP for giving me this opportunity to let other people see my ability and work progress in search, but also I really appreciate the help and financial support from FUTI scholarship. If I had chance, I would definitely attend this program, or possibly trying to apply to the PhD program there in the University of Tokyo.
A Summer in Japan with the UTSIP Program
by Keloni Laws This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to research at the University of Tokyo as a student of the University of Tokyo Summer Internship Program (UTSIP) at the Kashiwa campus. During this time I worked under Professor Tomochika Tokunaga in the Geosphere Environment Systems Laboratory studying seawater intrusion into groundwater. My lab had options for ongoing projects that I was welcome to build from while I was there. I indicated my interest in one of the topics that a postdoc, Dr. Tsai, was working on, and pursued this research under the lab’s guidance. I worked on researching groundwater salinity around the Nabaki River, which is a tidal river in the Chiba prefecture. My first assignment was to get familiar with what I was researching. I borrowed books to read, attended lab meetings, and asked my seniors questions all in an effort to learn more about what I was dealing with in my research. After setting this solid foundation, I started creating several resistivity survey graphs from previously collected data, and with that created cross sections that I then analyzed and drew conclusions. This was all new data that I was dealing with, as well as a completely new software, but I was able to get it done with the support of my seniors and my perseverance. I was finished with this step in time for my mid-program presentation, where I presented my results after getting comments on my presentation from the assistant professor of my lab. During my time studying at the University of Tokyo, I also got the chance to travel to the field site, the Nabaki River in Shirako Town, with some members of the lab. While I was there I helped to collect groundwater samples, take the temperature of our water, and conduct electrical conductivity surveys. Once back at the lab, I was responsible for preparing many of the required standard solutions and samples for the machines used to obtain isotope, cation, and anion concentration. From these results I created a deuterium vs. delta oxygen 18 graph, stiff diagrams, and a piper diagram. It was hard work, where I had to learn more about what was being measured and how, graphing and re-graphing over and over again, and how to interpret these results. However, the time I put into this was very well worth it. I was able to create a story with my conclusions, and the work I did will help Dr. Tsai with her own research. The advice I gained from those mentoring me during my time in Japan was invaluable, and I wouldn’t have been able to make these achievements without them. As the youngest person in the program coming out of my freshman year of college, I was very worried about my ability to keep up with my peers, but the support from my seniors definitely contributed to making that possible. My final presentation was tough to put together, but their critiques and suggestions on my run throughs helped me to create something that I’m very proud of. This program gave me the chance to refine my analytical, graphing, and questioning skills, and taking advantage of that has set me up to achieve much more in my college life and beyond. Another very important part of this program was, of course, being in Japan. My first journey into Tokyo was with the other UTSIP students the day after I arrived, and it hardly felt real. That day we went to Asakusa, and thus began my exploration of Japan, as well as fast friendships with other members of UTSIP. I’m so glad that I was able to meet so many new people from all across the world, and I feel like this program was a catalyst for me to make lifelong friends while studying in Japan. I loved being able to travel all around Tokyo with other members of the program; we had dinner in Shibuya, shopped and walked around in Harajuku, visited Hie-jinja Shrine and Hibiya Park, and much, much more. As someone who loves shopping, finding other people willing to go to Harajuku multiple times was a dream come true– and I highly recommend the store Nadia! I saw things I didn’t imagine I’d get to see, like a monkey performance in Ueno Park, eat things I had been dying to try, like strawberry daifuku during a summer festival, and have countless unforgettable experiences, from a baseball game at Tokyo Dome to falling asleep on the first train back to Kashiwanoha. Every meal, karaoke night, all nighter in Shinjuku, or impromptu train ride to Kashiwa offered something new and exciting, right up to the moment I had to leave for home. Moreover, all throughout my time in Japan I was able to practice Japanese. Since I’m minoring in Japanese language, this opportunity to be able to speak in Japanese, day after day with Japanese people was an incredible learning experience. Even if it was a simple interaction, I was able to keep my mind fresh and pick up on things to absorb. I am so grateful and glad that I was able to live in Japan for seven weeks this summer. Fulfilling this dream I’ve had since middle school gave me an experience in this pocket of the world that was everything I wanted and more. Having the opportunity to research at such a prestigious institution with amazing peers and mentors was simply unforgettable, and has further convinced me that I need to come back!
ハーバードサマースクールでの体験
by Nanako Kudo 授業内容について 私はLiliana Obregon教授によるGlobal Law, Global Historyという授業を受講し、主に国際法の歴史について学びました。講義は、各国の国際法の教科書における国際法の歴史に関する記述の比較検討に始まり、非欧州における国際法の受容・創造などについても触れながら進みました。毎日複数本の論文を読み、動画を視聴する課題と、読んできた論文を要約するライティング課題が課され、非常にチャレンジングな日々を過ごしました。また、授業内で各生徒に一度ずつ発表の機会が与えられ、私はアメリカ独立宣言の国際的な影響に関して、『アミスタッド』という映画を参照しつつ発表を行いました。 授業内では、頻繁に学生に発言の機会が与えられ、学生たちが自由に自分の見解・意見を表明していたのが印象的でした。中でも、自分が高等教育を受けた国において、どのように歴史を教えられたかという点において、頻繁に相違が生じており、それらについて詳しく議論を重ねることで、批判的な思考を養うことができました。 最終レポートに関して 最終レポートが課題として課されており、私は第二次世界大戦下のアメリカにおける日系移民の収容と人身保護令状に関するレポートを執筆しました。このレポートにおいてはKorematsu判決やEndo判決など、第二次世界大戦中に下された判決について、ハーバード大学の有する多くの資料を用いつつリサーチを行ったのですが、当時の最高裁判事同士の関係など、これまでは見えていなかった部分についての知見が深まりました。 居住環境について サマースクール期間中はダンスター・ハウスという寮に宿泊していました。応募段階では原則二人部屋と知らされていたのですが、実際に行ってみると運よく一人部屋に入居することができました。平日は夜間でも食堂でコーヒーやスナック等を調達することができ、非常に快適な環境で勉強に専念することができました。 行事について アメリカ独立記念日が留学期間中にあったので、友人数名とMITの前の広場に行き、独立を祝う花火を鑑賞しました。 御礼 この度このような貴重な機会を与えてくださった東大友の会のみなさまに御礼申し上げます。
Harvard Summer School
From mid-June to the beginning of August 2023, I took part in a seven-week summer school at Harvard, where I studied psychology. I graduated from the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Law at UTokyo earlier this year and will be majoring in social psychology at master’s level in the UK from this fall. My first objective for this summer school was to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology, including biological, cognitive, developmental and clinical aspects, before embarking on my postgraduate studies in England. The class which I enrolled in was an introductory level course, therefore most of the participants were undergraduates (both from Harvard and other universities around the world) and high school students. Less than 10% already had a bachelor’s degree like myself. The commonality among the most was that they come from backgrounds other than psychology, so it was refreshing to talk with those from diverse fields, including some who already had established careers. Also, I had a lot of opportunities to work together with high school students in the discussion sections after lectures, and I was genuinely amazed and inspired by extremely intelligent individuals, the likes that I have never seen in Japanese high schools. The other goal for this summer was to experience the life in the US for the first time. I have previously lived in Europe and Africa but had never been to the US for occasions other than short visits, so it was something I really wanted to do before I consider my options for PhD in the near future. One of the things at Harvard that I didn’t expect was the extraordinarily high proportion of Asian students in the class (and the whole summer school). I was also surprised by how heavily inflated the grades of the exams were, although the amount of the course materials and the speed of the class was challenging for the most part. Other than that, most of the things were as I imagined, and the experience overall was very positive. The dorm I stayed in (Dunster House) was recently renovated, so the rooms were comfortable, and they had several study spaces located near the dining hall equipped with drink machines, which made it ideal to focus on your studies as well as talking with friends during study break. Those moments I spent with my friends everyday are probably the biggest highlight of this summer. Outside of the studies, the Student Activities Office (SAO) organized many trips and events, which made the whole experience even better. The most memorable ones were watching Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park, day trip to Martha’s Vineyard Island and Tanglewood concert of Boston Symphony Orchestra. Many of these events were highly popular (since the transportation and admission fees are covered by SAO), so it was often challenging to get a spot. During the weekends, I had some time to go to Canada and Minnesota to see my friend, and after the program finished, I visited the NYC and Washington DC. Having studied American politics at undergrad, there were a lot of things for me to discover at every one of these visits to different places in the US. Minnesota was especially very unique in terms of community and environment, and it was truly the world I had never seen before. On the weekdays, my daily routine was to practice piano at the music department, where they had about 10 rooms with grand piano. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Friends of UTokyo, Inc. for the financial support and making this journey possible.
Fall semester at Princeton University
by Shun Hokazono 東京大学教養学部国際関係論コース3年の外園駿（ほかぞのしゅん）と申します。私は2023年9月からのFall Semesterに東京大学の全学交換留学のプログラムにてPrinceton Universityに留学しており、2024年1月からのSpring SemesterにはUC派遣プログラムにてUniversity of California, Berkeleyに留学予定です。ITO FOUNDATION U.S.A.様、Friends of UTokyo, Inc.様にご支援頂いているのは名目上はUC Berkeleyのプログラムの分ですが、合わせて1年間の留学となるため、本レポートではPrinceton Universityでの最初の2ヶ月についてご報告します。 Academic面について 私は不必要な戦争の回避及びより協調的な国際関係の実現に貢献したいという思いから国際政治学を専攻しており、国際秩序論・紛争論・安全保障論などを中心に学んでおります。プリンストン大学は第二次世界大戦以降のアメリカにおける国際政治学の発展を支えた理論家を数多く輩出したほか、School of Public and International Affairs（以前はWoodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairsとの呼称でしたが、BLM運動の広がりの中でプリンストン大学は2020年に人種差別主義者であったウィルソンの名前を削除する決定をしました）をはじめとする全米屈指の国際政治学の研究・教育機関があるため、留学を決意しました。 政治学部に所属し、Causes of War、Violent Politics、American Foreign Policy、International Political Economyの4つの授業を取っています。Violent Politicsは少人数であるためディスカッションを中心としたセミナー形式で進行し、その他の授業は週2回の講義と、少人数のグループに分かれた週1回のデイスカッションセッションからなっています。Causes of Warの授業では、ThucydidesのHistory of the Peloponnesian WarやKenneth WaltzのMan, the State and Warといった古典中の古典とされる文献から始まり、歴史的事例もふんだんに参照しつつ様々な観点からクラシカルなアプローチで戦争原因を考察する一方、Violent Politicsでは「なぜ政治が暴力的なものになるのか」について、アメリカの最先端のpolitical scienceのアプローチを駆使して考察しています。古典的／先端的な異なるアプローチを取るこの二つの授業を取り、大量の文献を読みこなして講義・議論に参加することで、国際政治学における安全保障論の全体図が頭の中に描けてきている感覚があり、帰国後の国際関係論コースでの卒論や、その後の将来の実務・研究を見据えても大変有意義に感じています。American Foreign Policyの授業はアメリカ固有の外交政策の捉え方を理解するのに役立っており、International Political Economyはこれまであまり馴染みのなかった分野であるだけに、政治について考える際の視野を拡げてくれています。 日本での学びと最も大きな差を感じる部分としては、やはり圧倒的なリーディングの量が挙げられます。各教科毎週100-200ページのリーディングが前提として課せられ、それが4教科ですから、あまりにも大変です。特に初めのうちは当然全部こなすことは不可能なわけですが、授業中に議論をしている限りプリンストンの学生はしっかりと全て内容を理解しているように思えます。どうやら鍵は「Strategicに」読むことにあるようで、あらゆる教授・Ph.D.生のTAがこの重要性を強調します。即ち、正面からこれだけの量のリーディングを全部読むことは到底不可能なので、スキミングをして、まずmain argumentをざっくり掴み、そこから重要なところを掘り下げていく、という読み方ですが、ノンネイティヴとしてこれをやっていくのは相当に難しいです。それでも慣れてきてはいるのですが、リーディングに限らず、帰国生ではなくノンネイティヴである私にとって、こちらの学生でも苦労する勉強についていくのは相当大変です。リーディングを読むスピードが遅く、満足にこなせずに授業に行って理解の質が落ちることもしばしばですし、授業中の議論で一回も発言できずに悔しい思いをしたこともあります。ですが、悔しい思いをする分大きな成長の機会になっているのは間違いなく、言語によるバリアを感じずに深い議論ができるという理想を見据えて食らいついて行きたいと思っています。 そのほかには、プリンストン大学への留学を希望した理由でもあった、ずっと直接習いたいと思っていた国際秩序論の大家のアイケンベリー教授が現在サバディカルでOxfordにいらっしゃるという話を聞いた際にはショックだったのですが、メールでコンタクトが取れ、近々zoomで研究の相談をさせていただくアポを取ることができました。 Social面について 学業面だけでなく、アメリカの大学生活そのものを経験して多くの学生と知り合い、アメリカの文化を肌で感じることも重要だと思い、Socialの面にもできる限り力を注ぎたいと思っています。こちらでできた友人に誘われた縁もあり、プリンストンに来てから和太鼓を始め、週2回練習しています。また、Alexander Hamilton Societyという外交政策系のコミュニティーに参加し、セミナーなどのイベントに顔を出しています。そのほか、Japanese Students Associationに入って現地の日本人学生と親しくなったり、日本語を勉強している現地の学生とディナーで交流する日本語テーブルに参加したりしています。加えて、海外の視点から日本を見つめ直したいという思いもあり、Global Japan Labという日本研究のコミュニティーに学部生ながら参加させていただいています。他大学から教授を呼んだ議論会なども行っており、Stanford Universityの筒井清輝教授やHarvard UniversityのChristina Davis教授といった高名な教授たちに直接質問をぶつけることができました。 友人関係としては、プリンストンは留学生の数が少ないため計19人しかいない世界各国からの交換留学生たちとまずは仲良くなり、その後授業やクラブ活動、友人からの紹介、食堂での出会いなどを通して少しずつ友人の輪を広げています。プリンストンに来てすぐのウェルカムパーティーやハロウィンパーティーなどアメリカの大学独特の雰囲気も味わいつつ楽しく過ごしていますが、どうしても英語力のバリアを感じて日本にいる時に比べ消極的になっている自分を自覚するため、どんどん自分から積極的に話しかけたり動いたりしていかなければと自戒しているところです。 休日の過ごし方 上記の通り課題の量がとてつもなく多いため、休日も図書館で勉強していることが多いですが、一方でニューヨークに電車で1時間半で簡単にアクセスできるため、週末に遊びに行って見聞を深めたり、友人と会ったりすることもよくあります。秋休みは1週間強と長かったため、前半はカナダのトロントに行って観光をしたり友人と会ったりしたのち、後半はボストンに行ってハーバード大学公共政策大学院やタフツ大学法律外交大学院を見て回りつつ、現地に留学されている外務省・経産省の官僚の方々や、研究者の方々とお会いしてお話を伺う機会に恵まれました。 おわりに Princeton Universityというあまりにも恵まれた環境で日々を送り、学べていることの貴重さと有り難みを噛み締め、残り2ヶ月の滞在を最大限の成長の機会にできるよう、全力で努力したいと思います。このような留学が可能になっているのも、ご支援頂いているITO FOUNDATION U.S.A.様、Friends of UTokyo, Inc.様のお蔭です。最後になりましたが、心より感謝申し上げます。
Ono-Inomoto-Tanabe Laboratory
by Eric He This summer while attending UTSIP, I sought to better understand the potential of nuclear fusion for a sustainable energy future and to delve into the nuanced perspectives of the Japanese people on this powerful yet controversial source of power. To capture a sense of the opinions of nuclear power from the Japanese public and experts in the field, I gathered first hand data at many professional institutions. This included visiting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, conducting interviews while working on the TS-6 Fusion Reactor, and culminating with a tour of the JT-60SA Fusion Experiment. Fukushima Daiichi – A Glimpse in the Past This year, our UTSIP field trip was to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake created a tsunami that caused a severe nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. To this date, it is still only one of two accidents that is classified as a rank seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale. Our group from UTSIP was exceptionally fortunate to be able to tour the power plant, as the Fukushima Prefectural Government had only recently deemed it to be safe for members of the public to visit the area. We were guided to a viewing platform that faced the three reactor units that were damaged from the explosions. The sheer scale of damage was staggering, which was a testament to the potential power of nuclear technology. Yet, the true magnitude of the challenge ahead became even more apparent as our guide shared insights into the decommissioning effort. According to our guide, decommissioning the power plant is likely to take 30-40 years to complete, with a total cost of 25 million dollars. However, amidst the complexities and challenges, substantial investments have been directed towards fortifying the safety of nuclear power plants. Moreover, the nation has been steadily revitalizing its nuclear industry to regain trust among its citizens. As I reflect on my experiences, this trip was incredibly valuable to witness firsthand the concerted efforts being undertaken to ensure a safer, more sustainable future. Measurements in the TS-6 Tokamak – Advancing Fusion Energy The project I worked on during UTSIP gave me the unique opportunity to work with a nuclear fusion reactor called the TS-6 tokamak. My specific focus was on utilizing the scattering of laser light to precisely measure the temperature and density of electrons within the plasma. Understanding the temperature and density of electrons in a plasma is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it provides crucial data for the overall control and stability of a fusion reaction. In a tokamak, like the TS-6, achieving and maintaining the right conditions for nuclear fusion is exceptionally challenging. The plasma must be heated to millions of degrees Celsius, and the precise temperature and density control are required to sustain the fusion process. During the project, I worked closely with graduate students in the research group as part of a research team, including participating in weekly research meetings. My primary role involved hands-on work in the experiment room, where I conducted experiments and analyzed the data. The experience was both intellectually stimulating and demanding, often requiring long working hours to ensure the precision and accuracy of our experiments. However, I gained invaluable insights into the complexities of plasma physics and fusion research while working alongside experienced Japanese graduate students. JT-60SA Project Tour – Bridging the Future On July 12, I visited JT-60SA with my lab group. It is the largest fusion experiment in the country and an international collaboration between Japan and the European Union. Nuclear fusion is different from the energy produced by traditional reactors, as it involves merging light atomic nuclei to release energy, replicating the same process that powers the sun. It is important to note that fusion doesn’t produce the long-lived radioactive waste associated with fission, making it inherently less dangerous. JT-60SA is the heart of fusion innovation, and is one of the most promising projects to achieve a working reactor. Their goal to achieve this milestone by 2050 far exceeded my expectations, and served as a reminder of the pressing urgency behind this ambitious endeavor. Fusion is the most promising candidate for future energy sources because the fuel is abundant, it is safe, and does not emit greenhouse gasses. Out of the options that Japan has abundantly available, the development of nuclear fusion comes out as the best candidate for decarbonization. Touring the facility and witnessing the intricacy of cutting-edge technology becoming a reality was fascinating. Seeing the convergence of so many brilliant minds working on this project gives me hope that this technology can become mainstream within my lifetime. This experience stood as a parallel to my summer work at the University of Tokyo, offering me a clearer understanding of the collaborative endeavors required to actualize the fusion dream. Most importantly, it showed that a future of greener, more sustainable energy is just around the corner.
Prof. Keiichi Nakagawa’s bio-medical precision engineering laboratory at the University of Tokyo
by Michelle Haung My experience in Japan over the past 6 weeks is one that I will never forget. I had the amazing opportunity to work in Professor Keiichi Nakagawa’s bio-medical precision engineering laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Currently, there are limitations to brain imaging and therapy due to the absorption and scattering effects of biological tissue, which hinder the focus and delivery of light to the site. Along with my mentor, Maosen, I worked on studying the use of acoustic waves as a light-guiding technique for bioimaging of deep tissue sights. This method could also have potential as a laser skincare treatment due to deeper penetration of the laser into the skin. Previous studies have found that photoacoustic guiding, also known as PAG, can increase the transmittance of light by one order of magnitude. Therefore, my main goal was to expand upon these findings by determining the change in transmittance for media with varying scattering coefficients. To study this, I worked with hydrogels of varying scattering coefficients that ranged from zero all the way to roughly that of the cortex. The first experiment determined the relationship between the scattering coefficient and relative transmittance. By directing a laser through the scattering medium into a photon detector, we were able to confirm the expected outcome, with the higher scattering media having less transmittance of the laser. This is due to larger scattering effects with the increased amount of particles in the hydrogel. The second experiment we performed was to verify the presence of acoustic waves in our optical setup. For this, we used a pump laser, a probe laser, and a camera. These components were all connected to a digital delay generator to capture images of the acoustic wave being produced. The high energy single pulse from the pump laser produced a high electric field that turned the distilled water into plasma. This created a high temperature, leading to the production of an acoustic wave. Using the camera, we could align the acoustic waves at a singular point, which is the PAG. Therefore, we were able to confirm the presence of an acoustic wave, as well as use this setup to align the laser and PAG for our following experiment. In the final experiment, I had the opportunity to test the transmittance of light through media of varying scattering coefficients both with and without PAG. We found that the transmittance of the laser displayed an increase for the lower scattering media along with just distilled water. We faced an issue with the photon detector not being sensitive enough to detect the change in transmittance for the higher scattering media. Therefore, next steps in this study would be to use a different photon detector that is more sensitive in order to detect the remaining signals in addition to decreasing the noise found in our results. Outside of the laboratory, I had the most amazing experience exploring Japanese culture through eating yummy food, meeting many friendly people, and immersing myself in several activities. Alongside several of my program-mates and peers, I have been able to travel all around Japan to places such as Nagoya, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hakone, and Okinawa to name a few. Some of my favorite dishes that I ate were hitsumabushi in Nagoya and okonomiyaki in Osaka, but there were many delicious restaurants around every corner. As much as I loved traveling around, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Tokyo in the hours outside of the lab through activities like shopping, karaoke, and sightseeing. I also had the opportunity to participate in a wadaiko workshop that became one of the highlights of my trip. Overall, the experiences I had, both large and small, made my time in Japan truly unforgettable. This experience has been so valuable and life changing, as I have made forever friends, connections, and memories. I have grown as a student, individual, and person by trying new things and putting myself out there. I am so grateful to Friends of UTokyo for supporting me throughout my research abroad in Japan. I also want to thank my wonderful laboratory for their guidance throughout my 6 weeks here, especially my mentor, Maosen. Lastly, I want to thank Professor Nakagawa, UCEAP, and ESEP for this amazing opportunity. I will take the skills and knowledge that I learned from this research and cultural experience into the remainder of my schooling, career, and beyond.
UTRIP 2023 in the Yokoyama-Nakajima Lab
by Emma Codianne This summer, with the generous help of Friends of UTokyo, Inc., I have been incredibly fortunate to participate in the University of Tokyo Research Internship Program (UTRIP) with the Yokoyama-Nakajima Group. I am currently a third-year student at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA majoring in Physics. I was incredibly excited for this opportunity to work and study at the University of Tokyo, as it was my first time visiting Japan and I was able to learn about novel physics research. During my 6-week stay with UTRIP, I worked at UTokyo’s Hongo campus, under the supervision of Dr. Yasuhiro Nakajima. The Yokoyama-Nakajima Group researches experimental particle and astroparticle physics, a specialization I have not previously worked in. At Rice, I am conducting research in experimental condensed matter with the Morosan Group, focused on the synthesis and study of quantum materials with emergent properties such as superconductivity and spin textures. When I heard about the UTRIP program, I immediately knew I wanted to apply because it had been my dream to study abroad and the opportunity to conduct my own research at the University of Tokyo, a place consistently at the forefront of physics research, was incredible. I was interested in working with the Yokoyama-Nakajima lab because of their research regarding neutrino physics, notably with the Super-Kamiokande neutrino detector. My research over the course of UTRIP centered around testing the GAGG scintillator crystal as part of the search for the phenomenon of neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ). In short, I analyzed the radioactive impurity of this crystal in hopes of reducing its background noise to observe neutrinoless double beta decay in the future. Neutrinoless double beta decay has never been seen before, but its observation would prove the hypothesis that the neutrino is a Majorana fermion—a particle that is its own antiparticle. Through my UTRIP research, I learned much about particle physics, equipment used in the lab’s work (e.g. photomultiplier tubes), and data analysis methods. One of the most memorable parts of UTRIP for me was visiting the Super-Kamiokande site in Kamioka, Gifu prefecture with my supervisor, Dr. Nakajima. Going into the mines and seeing the control room of Super-K in person was truly amazing, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have visited the place where neutrino oscillation was proven back in 2015. I also got to see how gadolinium was added to Super-K’s water tank back in 2020 for the new SK-Gd observation to improve measurements and sensitivity for neutrino interactions. Outside of the lab, I enjoyed every cultural immersion experience that UTRIP graciously provided, my favorite being our trip to the historic Shunkaen Bonsai Museum where I got to partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and don yukata in the bonsai garden. On another cultural excursion, us UTRIP students were able to watch an incredible kabuki performance at Kabukiza Theater in Ginza, followed by lunch in Asakusa with views of the beautiful Sensoji Temple. These experiences learning about Japanese culture were once in a lifetime and made me appreciate my time in Tokyo and the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture. I’m very grateful for the friends I made from UTRIP, both inside and outside of the lab. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow UTRIP cohort, meeting new people from all around the world. I also loved spending time with the graduate students in the Yokoyama-Nakajima lab, and am grateful for their kind welcome and help whenever I had questions. My stay at the University of Tokyo went by too fast, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn under Dr. Nakajima and conduct research with the Yokoyama-Nakajima Group. I am also incredibly thankful to FUTI, since none of this amazing summer would have been possible without their generous support.