[No. 87] Yuko Kato

In writing this column, I took the opportunity to look back on my life from my admission to Keio to the present, and I feel that I have been truly blessed with and supported by my Keio friends, both during my university days and after joining my company. I would like to share a few of these experiences.

When I entered university, I intended to major in the Department of Applied Chemistry. I was admitted to Keio through a designated school recommendation, and my high school teacher advised me, "Kato, you tend to change your mind, so you should choose Gakumon 4 instead of Gakumon 3." So, I chose Gakumon 4, which offers a wide range of fields.

Right after entering university, as I also liked math, I enrolled in a course called "Mathematical Research Methods," just based on seeing the word "mathematics" in its name. This course, which I had chosen without knowing anything about it, was actually one where you had to create your own theorems. The other students were all such math lovers that it seemed there was no other path for them but to advance to the Department of Mathematics. I thought about dropping the course many times, but the professor in charge and the senior students in his lab were so supportive that by the time I completed my theorem, I couldn't see myself in any department other than Mathematics. Captivated by the fascination of number theory, I surpassed my high school teacher's prediction and crossed over from my original academic cluster to enter the Department of Mathematics.

After advancing to the Department of Mathematics, my mind didn't change, and along with two friends who had also been captivated by number theory in the Mathematical Research Methods course, I joined Professor Masato Kurihara's laboratory. It was Professor Kurihara's first year at Keio, and our lab was small, with only five members. It goes without saying that Professor Kurihara is passionate about research and education, so here I'll introduce two of the Kurihara Lab's events.

First is the Keio-Waseda rivalry games. I wasn't very interested at first, but it was fun once I actually went to watch, and I started going to see the games every spring and fall. Initially, Keio lost every time we went, so I was worried we would create a jinx that the Kurihara Lab's attendance meant a loss. But when we saw them win for the first time, we all got carried away, feeling that "When the Kurihara Lab goes, Keio wins."

Another event is the training camp at the Tateshina mountain villa. Of course, we held math seminars during the camp, but it was also packed with activities like barbecues, mountain climbing, baseball, and visits to an aquarium and a teddy bear museum.

These events have continued into the second year and beyond, even after I graduated. I'm so happy to still receive invitation emails from the junior students for the Keio-Waseda games and the training camps. Although I can't participate every time, I try to join as much as possible. However, I hear a rumor that the early morning run with Professor Kurihara at the Tateshina camp, which used to be optional, is now mandatory. The lab has also grown in size, and I hear they can now hold competitive baseball games. I'll have to build up my stamina before I join next time...

At Hitachi, there is a Keio University alumni association. Each business site has its own alumni group, and the research laboratory where I work holds get-togethers three or four times a year. There are Keio alumni in every department, so when I have business in another department, I first visit a Keio senior for a casual chat! It naturally helps me feel more at ease.

I was on a business trip to the UK the other day, and a woman I met from another division happened to be a Keio graduate. So, despite having just met, we visited a Keio senior who was on assignment in the UK, and the three of us enjoyed Greek food together. It's a fond memory.

Alongside my main job, I also serve as a recruiter for Hitachi, Ltd. During my own job search, recruiters were a great help to me. I was anxious about moving from the world of mathematics to the world of information systems, and the recruiters gave me a lot of advice. So, I want to help the next generation of students with their job search in the same way.

Being a recruiter is stimulating, as I get to hear the hopeful opinions of students. Also, recruiting activities are carried out in collaboration with people from other business sites, which makes the entire vast company feel more familiar. Casual conversations at get-togethers can even lead to work collaborations. I want to cherish the connections among recruiters that extend beyond our recruiting duties.

I'll also briefly introduce my work. Currently, I am involved in the research and development of intelligent planning systems for the railway sector. I'm sure everyone has experienced the inconvenience of train services being suspended due to accidents or disasters. I am conducting research and development on a system to restore these disrupted train schedules. The number theory I studied as a student is not directly applicable, but since we use mathematical techniques as part of the technology, the way of thinking I cultivated in the Department of Mathematics is still useful today. I hope that my efforts can, even in a small way, help improve the convenience of railways.

During my student days, I wasn't particularly conscious of being a "Keio" person, but after entering the workforce, I realized that the Keio connection alone can make people feel surprisingly close.

This time, I've focused solely on my connections with people from Keio, but of course, I am also indebted to many people from outside Keio in my daily life. I hope that all of you will also cherish your connections with others.