How long has it been since you graduated, and could you briefly describe your current work?

It has been six years since I graduated, and I am currently involved in planning and developing automotive interior components at Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. My work goes beyond simply considering appearance and functionality; by applying ergonomics and kansei engineering, I focus on creating experiences that make people feel comfortable and naturally want to use the product.

For example, I work on designs that emotionally engage users through vehicle illumination, as well as on armrests that fit the body comfortably when someone rests their arm on them. Through user-centered design that responds to people’s feelings and comfort, I strive to create products that make travel time more pleasant and enriching.

 

I heard that you were assigned overseas last year. Could you tell us how long you stayed, where you went, and about any new experiences or memorable moments you had there?

I spent about one year in Shanghai, China, working on automotive interior development. The EV market there has been growing rapidly, and I encountered many interior design needs closely tied to lifestyle preferences, such as seat functions that support yoga and built-in tables for dining.

Experiencing values and expectations that differ from those commonly seen in Japan greatly broadened my perspective on manufacturing and product development. Being able to work in such a cutting-edge environment and continually gain new inspiration remains a valuable experience for me even now.

 

Could you tell us, within the scope of what you are able to share, about the industry–academia collaborative research you have conducted with the university? Also, from a company perspective, what is the significance of conducting research together with a university laboratory?

I have been involved in the development of lighting that considers human comfort and emotional experience. As part of that work, we have conducted collaborative research with the university on the psychological and physiological effects of different lighting methods.

By incorporating academic knowledge and research findings, we can make proposals that scientifically support the emotional and sensory effects of lighting, leading to more convincing and persuasive product development.

 

What kind of research did you work on while you were a student at Meijo University?

During my university years, I collaborated with automobile manufacturers on research conducted in Thailand, the largest automobile-producing country in ASEAN, analyzing the relationship between users’ impressions of SUV front grilles and their design elements.

Using 3DCG models, I investigated how emotional descriptors such as “specialness” and “luxury” relate to design forms, comparing responses between Japanese and Thai participants. Through this work, I pursued a kansei engineering approach that accounted for cultural differences.

 

What memories or experiences from your student life have left the strongest impression on you?

The experience that left the greatest impression on me was giving a presentation in English at an international conference during my university years. Since I was not confident in my English skills, I worked hard to overcome that weakness by attending seminars at other universities and using the university’s English conversation room.

The moment I successfully completed my presentation after all that effort was truly exhilarating. It was a moment when I could genuinely feel my own growth and achievement.

 

Looking back, what do you wish you had done more of during your student years?

The experience of setting my own research goals during my student years, deepening my research, and ultimately presenting the results at academic conferences has directly connected to the work I do today. The ability to identify the essence of a problem within a limited time, organize ideas with a clear sense of purpose, and communicate them in a way that resonates with others has been extremely useful in proposals and presentations both inside and outside the company. Being able to turn ideas into practice and demonstrate results has become one of my greatest assets.

At the same time, I do wish I had participated in more hackathons and ideathons as a student. In my current work, I am expected to develop products by anticipating future needs, but generating ideas flexibly does not come naturally to me, and I often struggle with idea creation. Looking back, I feel I should have exposed myself to more diverse values and ways of thinking during my student years in order to strengthen my creativity and ideation skills.

 

How do you usually spend your days off? Do you have any hobbies or anything you have been particularly interested in lately?

Recently, I have become really into a slightly wild hobby — running through mountains. In other words, trail running (laughs). Sometimes I run mountain courses that are over 30 kilometers long, and while I occasionally find myself wondering, “Is this some kind of ascetic training?”, I still enjoy the thrill and sense of accomplishment that come from these near-life-or-death runs. And the beer after crossing the finish line is absolutely the best (laughs).

 

What are your future dreams or goals?

My dream for the future is to create and introduce automotive interior products that resonate with users worldwide. By responding to the diverse needs that vary across countries and cultures, I want to create new experiential value through sharp insight and original ideas, and develop interior components that truly move people emotionally. With kansei — human sensibility and emotional experience — as the foundation, I aim to create products that establish a strong presence in the global market.

 

Finally, could you share a message for current students and future students?

To shape a future that has no single correct answer, you must confront your own sensibilities and not be afraid to take on challenges. Failures and detours can all become strengths in the end. That is why I hope you will hold tightly — even stubbornly — to the things you love and the things that spark your curiosity, and keep moving forward. The path only appears to those who keep running.

 

Could you briefly explain the theme of your research during your student years, including the laboratory you belonged to?

I’ve always been interested in the individuality of the human voice, which led me to join the Banno Laboratory, known for its expertise in audio and speech signal processing. My research focused on analyzing the unique vocal characteristics of singers by studying the features of impersonated singing voices.

 

What inspired you to pursue that line of research?

There were already a number of studies on the individuality of speaking voices, but relatively few on the individuality of singing styles. That’s why I decided to explore this under-researched area.

 

What is your current research focus and goal?

Lately, I’ve been analyzing singing voices produced using vocal techniques that have not yet been widely studied. My goal is to uncover how individuality is expressed across different singing methods and styles.

 

You currently specialize in “audio and speech signal processing” in the Faculty of Urban Science. What kind of courses (lectures or practical classes) do you teach?

The course I teach is called Cognition and Information Processing. It’s a lecture-based course that broadly covers sound. For example, in the unit focusing on the human voice—a sound we encounter every day—I explain how the voice is produced and what makes it unique to each individual speaker. Other topics include the structure of non-voice sounds and how the ear, our organ for perceiving sound, works.

 

What role do you think sound plays in urban environments?

I believe that sound expresses the characteristics of a city. For example, in areas with heavy traffic, the constant noise of vehicles is often regarded as a problem, while in less populated areas, the scarcity of human voices and daily sounds results in a quieter atmosphere. Because sound is always around us, I see it as a barometer that reflects the nature of the urban environment.

 

What kind of research are students in the Faculty of Urban Science working on?

In my seminar, students are encouraged to choose a research topic based on their own interests related to sound. Recent projects have included analyses of sounds produced in sports such as baseball, badminton, and volleyball, as well as studies on the vocal characteristics of idol singers and band vocalists. One particularly memorable project focused on the sound of meat sizzling while it cooks.

What made you decide to become a university faculty member?

From the time I entered university, I knew I wanted to study voice-related topics, and I was fortunate to be accepted into the lab I had hoped for. As I continued my research through graduate school, I realized that I wanted to keep pursuing this field long term. That was one of the main reasons. At first, I never imagined myself giving lectures or supervising students. But as I gained experience through my own research, I started to feel a desire to teach and share what I had learned.

 

Do you find students in the Faculty of Urban Science similar to those in the Department of Information Engineering? Are there any differences?

In the Department of Information Engineering, my impression was that many students were very dedicated to their research, especially when it came to solving issues pointed out during seminar discussions with their professors. Students in the Faculty of Urban Science also work very hard on the exercises and assignments given during class, and I feel that this level of commitment is something they have in common with computer science students.

 

Since becoming a faculty member, have you faced any challenges?

At first, I struggled quite a bit with how to structure my lectures and determine the appropriate level of difficulty. During the first semester of my first year, all classes had to be conducted online due to the impact of COVID-19. I couldn’t get a sense of the students’ reactions or atmosphere, and I found myself constantly creating and revising lecture materials without much feedback. From the second semester, in-person classes gradually resumed, and once I could see the students face-to-face, things became much easier. Lately, I’ve finally started to feel more comfortable in the role.

 

Do you have any particularly memorable experiences from your undergraduate or graduate student days?

One of the most memorable moments was attending an academic conference for the first time during my master’s program. I had the chance to listen to many presentations in my field, which was incredibly stimulating. Since research tends to be a solitary activity—just me and my computer—it was eye-opening to learn about the kinds of work being done by others in the same age group.

 

What kind of student were you?

Before I was assigned to a lab, I usually attended classes with a small group of friends. After joining the lab, I was the only female student there, so I would quietly come in and focus on my work at a computer. During my master’s program, I had classmates who advanced with me, so we often had lively conversations—both about research and other topics.

 

What was the best part about going on to graduate school?

Since I had wanted to study voice-related topics from the time I entered university, I’m glad I was able to continue pursuing the research I was truly passionate about.

 

What kind of person would you recommend for graduate school?

In graduate school, you have more time to devote to research than as an undergraduate, so I would recommend it to those who truly want to continue pursuing research.

 

Do you have a message for your juniors in the Department of Computer Science?

University life is long, so take the opportunity to try many different things and find something you can truly be passionate about.

[Interview Date] November 21, 2024

 

University Days Enriched Not Only by Studying Information Engineering but Also Gaining Overseas Experience

I initially chose to study in the Department of Information Engineering with the simple thought that “studying IT might make finding a job easier.” To be honest, when I first enrolled, I found all the lectures quite difficult. Looking back now, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, but I struggled with lectures that involved writing programs as homework.

On the other hand, since I had always been interested in English and international relations, I took a year off and went to New Zealand on a working holiday. More than just improving my language skills, I was interested in living abroad and wanted to expand my horizons through that experience.

Thinking about my future, I realized that while language skills are a strength, they don’t stand out as the ultimate tool. Language is something that becomes powerful when combined with other skills or knowledge. I began to see that by acquiring knowledge and skills in information engineering at university, I could combine them with my language abilities and overseas experience to create a unique advantage. Once I had this mindset, I approached my daily lectures with a more positive attitude.

I am especially grateful to Professor Kawasumi, my lab supervisor, for providing me with many learning opportunities and valuable experiences. When he introduced me to an opportunity to lead elementary school students on an overseas camp, it was challenging to manage the energetic children. Still, it was a great experience that helped me improve my communication with children and my language skills. I felt my growth through this experience and I’m truly thankful for that opportunity.

 

A System Engineer Involved in Everything from Requirements Definition to Design, Development, and Maintenance

Currently, as a system engineer at NTT Data Tokai, I’m responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of systems for financial institutions. Ibuild systems from scratch based on customer requests and maintain, operate, and improve the core systems that have been used for decades. Now, in my third year, I finally feel like I’ve reached the starting point as an engineer. While I learned the basics of programming at university, I did not know about finance, so my first and second years at the company were filled with daily learning.

That said, having the opportunity to handle a device management system for a financial institution from scratch during my early years was a valuable experience. It’s rare to be involved in the full process so early in one’s career, from requirements definition and design all the way to development and the final maintenance phase. Although it was a small system, I had always wanted to be involved in a wide range of tasks, even during my job search, so it was a precious experience. I was also very happy to receive words of appreciation from the customer.

Ultimately, I want to specialize in design, but you can’t create a sound system without understanding the development and maintenance aspects. While I sometimes worry that getting involved in too many areas might lead to only shallow knowledge, I believe it’s more important to first gain a solid understanding of the entire process. Basic calculation programs come together to form a complete system. Each part may be simple on its own, but when combined, they can accomplish so much. Looking at a completed system, I strongly feel that this is what makes this job interesting.

 

Expanding My Capabilities as a Mediator Connecting Information and People

NTT Data Tokai started as a company in the communications sector. Communication, by its nature, plays a role in connecting and mediating various things based on information. Perhaps due to the nature of the business, I’ve noticed that many people in the company’s departments are skilled at adapting to customer needs and acting as mediators. I’ve always been the type of person who connects with others, so I think I naturally fit in well with the company.

Currently, I am developing systems for financial institutions, but I would like to gradually expand my skills by getting involved in system development for various industries, including corporate clients, car parts, national and local governments, medical institutions such as hospitals, and educational institutions.
In addition to development, I am also interested in roles related to human resources. Since I often find myself acting as a mediator in my work, I want to try jobs where I can help people make broad connections.

With the COVID-19 pandemic reducing opportunities for direct communication, I feel an even greater importance in helping people connect. Even within the company, I sometimes find it difficult to foster a shared understanding, so I consciously try to communicate and build connections by intentionally engaging in conversations.

Meijo University provides an excellent learning environment, with spaces where you can concentrate and study alone, as well as places where you can study with your peers. After graduating, I realized just how valuable such an environment is. I know there may be tough times for those preparing for exams, but the experience of persevering through challenges will give you confidence in yourself. Keep up the hard work!

[Interview Date] February 13, 2021