The power to read the flow and the passion to connect people. Beyond the steps taken out of curiosity lies the world's front line.
Profile
Department of Mechanical Engineering (School of Engineering and Design, Master's Program Year 1 [*])
Graduate of Keio Senior High School, Tokyo
During high school, I was devoted to practicing in the swimming club. However, when club activities suddenly stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I found time to face my computer. While becoming familiar with 3D animation software and programming, I awakened to the fun of simulations that reproduce physical phenomena in digital space and decided to go to the Faculty of Science and Technology. At university, I was fascinated by the charm of fluid mechanics and immersed myself in research. Furthermore, based on my experience with exchange programs, I founded a student organization to promote international exchange at the Yagami Campus after returning to Japan. I continue to jump out of my comfort zone, such as preparing for a double degree study abroad program at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden starting this summer.
[*] Enrollment grade as of the time of the interview (June 2026).
A path to science and technology opened from a chance encounter brought by COVID-19.
How did you spend your high school years?
I belonged to the swimming club and was so enthusiastic that I practiced six or seven days a week. However, in my second year of high school, club activities were forced to suspend due to the influence of the coronavirus. While confused by the sudden free time, I used the COVID-19 relief grant to get a laptop and, on a whim, started studying animation and programming. First, I started using 3D animation software like "Blender." Since I originally liked Minecraft, Legos, and plastic models, I was interested in making things in digital space. I enjoyed teaching myself by reproducing familiar items inside the computer while watching YouTube.
After that, I also tried the programming language "Python" and began to feel that simulations that virtually reproduce physical phenomena on a computer were interesting. This became the catalyst for me to vaguely start thinking about wanting to enter the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Were you originally good at science and math subjects?
No, actually I wasn't very good at them. So, after achieving my target time at the last swimming competition in the summer of my third year of high school and receiving the MVP award, I put an end to my club activities and put all my effort into studying science and math subjects.
Please tell us why you decided to go to the Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology.
The impression of the students from the Faculty of Science and Technology at the school information session was significant. The students of the Faculty of Science and Technology talked about their research so happily and were very lively. My interest in simulation that sprouted during the COVID-19 pandemic overlapped with my interest in Physics, which captures surrounding phenomena through mathematical formulas, and I decided to enroll in the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Making full use of the department's strengths. Riding the wave of internationalization to challenge learning in the world.
Please tell us about the characteristics of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
I think the main characteristics are "internationalization" and a "culture that supports challenges."
In the Department of Mechanical Engineering, there are many students aiming for study abroad or further education overseas. Also, compared to other departments, the options for exchange programs are overwhelmingly numerous, and I get the impression that many professors strongly recommend studying abroad. In the Fukagata Laboratory to which I belong, three out of six peers are planning to study abroad.
Also, a symbolic example of the "culture that supports challenges" is the Creative Exercise conducted in the second year of the undergraduate program. This class allows you to work on a free theme based on your individual interests. Even for unprecedented or eccentric ideas, if there is logical support, the professors find it interesting and push you forward with all their might. The support for equipment and material costs at the Workshop Technology Center is also generous, and the environment for giving shape to concepts is truly well-prepared. The many opportunities to gain experience outside the university, such as the "Monozukuri Project" where companies and students work together on manufacturing, are also attractive.
Please tell us about the research you are currently working on.
In the Fukagata Laboratory, we mainly conduct simulation research on fluid mechanics. We virtually reproduce and visualize the flow of air and water on a computer to analyze the structure of invisible flows. Currently, I am preparing for joint research with Professor Bagheri at KTH (Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden), which is the destination for my double degree program [*]. It is research that combines wall deformation and two-phase flow to more effectively reduce frictional resistance.
For example, oil pipelines have high surface resistance, and to reduce that resistance, smooth liquids are actually applied as a film. Our research is to seek more efficient methods through simulation.
[*] double degree program... A system where you can obtain degrees from both schools simultaneously upon completing a series of Curriculum prepared under an agreement between this school and a partner school. In either case, a Master's degree (Engineering or Science) is obtained from the Keio University Graduate School of Science and Technology, and a degree equivalent to a Master of Engineering is obtained from the partner school.
Why did you choose the double degree format?
Actually, when I was an undergraduate, I applied for an exchange program at KTH, but unfortunately, I was not selected. However, far from giving up, the more I researched, the stronger my feeling of "I absolutely want to go to KTH!" became.
While exploring other possibilities, I learned that there is a double degree system in the graduate school and decided to try again. My parents also encouraged me, saying, "If you're going to study abroad, you should get a degree," and I thought that if I was going to settle down and devote myself to research locally, having a clear goal in the form of a Master's degree would be a plus for the future.
If there's no place, just make one! A new form of international exchange on campus born from exchange program experience.
Please tell us about your extracurricular activities.
What I am putting the most effort into now is the activities of the student organization "KiNETiC" [*], which promotes international exchange at the Yagami Campus.
I started it after participating in an exchange program at Ewha Womans University in South Korea during the fall semester of my third year. Since most of the people around me were international students from Europe, I joined the international student support organization "Peace Buddy" seeking interaction. What I gained there was connections with friends of different nationalities and specialties.
From my own study abroad experience, the issues at the Yagami Campus became clear. For example, looking around the campus, even though there are many international students, there are almost no places for international exchange between students. I felt it was a waste that international students were traveling domestically alone or spending time only with other international students, despite there being so many interesting people. When I talked to the international students themselves, they said, "It's quite difficult without opportunities or places, even if we want to interact." So, I started KiNETiC with like-minded friends to create it ourselves. Currently, we hold exchange events such as movie screenings and quiz competitions once a month at YIL [*].
[*] KeiDGs... Keio Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals (KeiDGs), which views DE&I as diversity, equality and fairness, and freedom in science-based education and research, interpreting the words of founder Yukichi Fukuzawa for the current era. Toward the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2039, it aims to be a place for always open learning and exploration, and a place for encounters and fusion where diverse human resources gather.
[*] YIL... Yagami Innovation Laboratory is a facility born in 2025 as one of the bases for realizing the "Research University that Creates Future Common Sense" advocated by Keio University. It is a place for open innovation that aims to share the scientific and technological knowledge generated by Keio University widely with society across domains, and to foster human resources through industry-academia collaboration, solve social issues, and create new industries.
Having actually carried out the activities, is there anything you find difficult?
The biggest struggle is gathering people. After all, they won't participate unless they can see a benefit for themselves. Also, I feel that PR is difficult to reach people with only analog things like posting paper posters on campus. Although it's steady work, I participate in events hosted by the Office of Student Services, talk to both international and Japanese students, and recruit volunteers. By gradually expanding the circle, the organization's LINE group has now grown to a scale of 60 to 70 people.
What's even more difficult is controlling the "subtle gap" between the vision I imagine and what the members actually work on. It's not right to point out and correct everything in detail, but I can't just leave them be either. Having experienced the position of organization representative, I am learning firsthand through the difficulty of specific measures to move members and unifying the organization as one.
Finally, please tell us your future goals.
First, during my year-and-a-half study abroad at KTH, I want to challenge myself with various things, not just obtaining a degree. Through my university life, I have felt great joy in connecting with diverse people. After completing my Master's, I want to use this experience to work as a bridge between researchers and the general public.