I am an environmental scientist working in the area of agriculture (fisheries science). As a (somewhat eccentric) child, I had an extraordinary desise for university: I competed regularly for the Japan Student Science Award, transformed a spare room in my house into my own laboratory, and once performed a rather naughty experiment involving a professor at the local national university.

When I began my university education, I first studied agriculture (fisheries science), which profoundly shaped who I am today. I entered the laboratory when I was a first-year student and learned the basics of fish pathology. I also learned the basics of GIS and mathematical statistics in my university training both in Japan and overseas. Through these experiences, I developed the belief that knowledge of mathematical statistics is necessary for a more in-depth study of biology, and I decided to advance my knowledge in this area by enrolling in a master’s course in the field of physics (mathematics). Although the course material was still related to marine organisms (red tides), it reminded me of the days when I was enthusiastic to ask, “How can I identify regularities from massive data?” In my doctoral studies, I acquired knowledge in two specializations: physics (mathematics) and sociology (environmental policy). Furthermore, I was fortunate to receive the support of the 21st Century COE Program (a humanities and sciences integration program), affording me the opportunity to learn physics (geoscience) not as a student but as a researcher. In my work as a university teacher since completing a post-doctoral fellowship with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, I have been involved in a variety of fields and institutions, including Kochi University (fisheries oceanography), Aichi Medical Association, and Kobe University (engineering). It has been stated, “Environmental science is the discipline that includes all the fields.” Although my work is still primarily focused on agriculture (fisheries science), the same tools that are used to “reveal the mysteries of biological phenomena in the ocean” and “realize better research results” are also found in many different disciplines.

Incidentally, the department in which I obtained my PhD does not evaluate on the basis of the impact factor of academic journals in which they publish original, co-authored papers, but rather evaluates whether “the person is capable of writing original papers as a single author (by his or her own ability).”Even among teachers, not so many hold doctoral degrees, and many of my peers with doctorates are unemployed. I had to seek minimum research funding on my own and study by myself in order to obtain a degree. I therefore think it is important for researchers to acquire more“tools,”beyond those that are standard in the field studied. A broader set of tools may also improve a researcher’s confidence. I am also still working to broaden my knowledge and skills in the engineering field. The basic principle of the experimental system is that the equipment, chemicals and support research are personnel are all prepared by the a initiator.