- Q: Could you explain your current research topic in an easy-to-understand way?
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With the aim of preventing and mitigating disasters both in marine and land areas, we are conducting research on three themes: "Research on anchors," "Research on tsunami disaster prevention for ships," and "Research on flood prevention measures for land-based buildings."
If an anchor is used that does not perform adequately, the anchor may not work when an emergency occurs, resulting in the problem of dragging the anchor. Furthermore, if a ship moored in a port is hit by a tsunami or high tide, the ship may run aground on the quay. Furthermore, when coastal areas are affected by floods, including tsunamis, high tides, and other disasters that run up onto land, not only do people suffer, but buildings, including homes, are also severely damaged. Rebuilding lives after the disaster takes a huge amount of time, and victims are forced to bear a tremendous emotional and financial burden. Therefore, I am continuing my daily research, utilizing the knowledge and skills I have cultivated through my research activities related to the ocean and architecture, with the goal of preventing and mitigating these damages in coastal areas.
- Q: What motivated you to start your research?
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I originally studied marine architecture and went on to graduate school with the aim of realizing an offshore city through research into stable floating structures. However, I was advised that the simulation tools I was researching and developing for that purpose could also be used in tsunami disaster prevention research, and that's how I started helping with tsunami research. However, because disaster prevention research directly affects human life, I didn't initially intend to make it my main theme, but as I continued to be involved, I found it very rewarding, and because it was a topic that someone had to tackle, I continued researching it to this day. Currently, I am researching floating tsunami prevention facilities and equipment that float up along with the ship to prevent and mitigate the risk of the ship running aground, focusing on disaster prevention for ships moored at quays, and creating databases related to tsunami damage predictions and disaster prevention measures.
I began researching anchors in earnest after assuming my post at this university, but it all began when I was a student and someone suggested that the simulation tool I mentioned earlier could be used in anchor research. The anchors currently in use have many issues, which are why they frequently cause dragging anchor accidents. However, there are currently very few researchers researching anchors, so I thought someone had to do it, and so I began my research. Currently, I am conducting research and development on new marine anchors that are less likely to drag anchors, as well as anchors for floating marine structures such as floating offshore wind turbines.
My research into architecture began when I wondered if I could apply my knowledge of floating structures, flooding including tsunamis, and architecture to disaster prevention and mitigation measures for buildings on land. Currently, I am mainly focusing on homes, but my research is aimed at realizing floating disaster prevention homes that can withstand tsunamis. I began my research on floating disaster prevention homes based on the idea that if a building could be made to float using buoyancy in the event of a flood, and if a protective wall could be built around it to protect against the fluid force of the tsunami and floating debris, then the home and its residents could be protected from flooding. - Q: What is interesting, rewarding, and challenging about your research?
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Coming up with new ideas, building experimental models, creating simulation programs, conducting experiments and simulations, discussing the results, and compiling those results into papers...the creative process of research is all interesting and rewarding, so I don't find it difficult. However, even though I'm a university professor, I can't just focus on research; in fact, I spend more time on other things than on research. Research requires an enormous amount of time, and it's difficult to find the time for it, so I find it really difficult to find a balance and find the time. If there's one other difficult thing, it's that I have to think about money in order to conduct better research.
- Q: Tell us about the future of this research.
: Short-term (1-2 years from now) and long-term (up to 10 years from now)
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Regarding anchor research, our long-term goal is to have new anchors installed on actual ships and reduce the risk of accidents. The same goes for anchors for offshore structures; our goal is to have them actually used. To achieve this, we must demonstrate that the newly developed anchors in the lab can be used in actual seas. Furthermore, to be able to actually use them, we must pass tests in accordance with regulations and obtain approval. I think that clearing this is a short-term goal.
In the "Research into flood prevention measures for ships and buildings," we propose various disaster prevention measures, and our main goal is to actually build them and have them used as disaster prevention and mitigation measures. To achieve this, we believe it is important not only to confirm their basic effectiveness, but also to demonstrate their feasibility, including in terms of cost.
My research theme always ultimately leads to the creation of something. However, creating something naturally costs money. To achieve this, it is important to understand the needs, to make as many people as possible aware of the dangers of flooding and anchor dragging accidents, and the usefulness of the disaster prevention measures I propose. Currently, I am working to make my research known to as many people as possible by writing papers and magazine articles, and giving experiential lectures for the general public. - Q: Which SDGs can your research contribute to?
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Goal 9: Build industry, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
"Goal 13: Take urgent climate action"
"Goal 14: Protect and sustainably use the oceans and seas"
In terms of industry, there are currently only two anchor manufacturers in Japan. Anchors are an important piece of equipment for ensuring safety on ships, yet many of the anchors used there are imported from overseas. Even from the perspective of marine renewable energy, which has been attracting attention as a measure against climate change, offshore wind turbines, for example, have been a hot topic in recent years. To moor floating offshore wind turbines, anchors are still required. The current situation is that anchors must also be imported from overseas. In response to these issues, if a new domestically produced anchor were approved and used, it would have a positive impact on industry and would also have a positive impact on the problems of marine environmental pollution and climate change. Furthermore, research into flood prevention measures for ships and buildings can contribute to the creation of sustainable cities while taking environmental issues, including climate change, into consideration. - Q: What are the advantages of doing research at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology?
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The facility is well-equipped to conduct marine research, with experimental facilities such as a ship operation performance test tank, a circulating water tank, and an anchor tank, as well as the training ship Shioji Maru.
Furthermore, because our university is a comprehensive marine university, we have many professors who are professionals in the field of the ocean, and there are many professors I can consult with about new research ideas, so I think it is a very favorable environment for people doing marine research. - Q: What are your priorities and policies when conducting research?
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There are no shortcuts in research, and even if it seems like a detour at first glance, you should proceed steadily, step by step.
Also, when you are immersed in your research, your perspective tends to narrow, so it is important not to forget to go out and see things with your own eyes and feel them with your own skin.It is also important to always be aware of the information around you, but not to be swayed by it.
For example, in tsunami research, the number of lectures and papers published increased dramatically after the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, tsunamis of the magnitude of the Great East Japan Earthquake, known as Level 2 tsunamis, are said to occur once every few hundred to thousand years, while even smaller tsunamis, known as Level 1 tsunamis, occur once every few decades to several hundred years. This means that even if research continues, there's a high chance that it won't see the light of day. Also, people tend to forget the importance of research once it's past their throats, so after a while, the number of tsunami research publications became very scarce. While anchors have been the subject of much research in the past, I'm probably the only one currently pursuing them as one of my main research themes. I don't like competing with others, so I personally enjoy being able to conduct research at my own pace. However, even if others are moving on to other research topics, I believe it's important to continue research with conviction if it's an important topic. - Q: What is your method for refreshing yourself when you feel tired from your research?
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- I find the most relaxing time on the weekends when I spend time with my dog ??or go for walks with him. I also love music, so listening to music or playing my own music helps me change my mood. However, with the abundance of software instruments available these days, sometimes I think I have an hour before bed, but then I find myself facing the computer after staring at it for hours at work, which makes me even more tired. Another thing I like is walking before bed, which not only helps me get some exercise but also clears my head, making it a great way to refresh myself.
- Q: What message would you give to people who want to become researchers?
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- I think students these days tend to think very realistically, wondering how to connect their research to their careers and whether they can even make a living from research. While this is understandable given the current uncertainties, when I was a student, the economy was often said to be in a recession and job hunting was quite difficult. Despite this, we often talked about how, while we had no clear vision for the future, we all had dreams. Deep down, we all probably had some anxiety about the future, but I think we all enjoyed ourselves, dreaming big dreams about how our research might change the world. I encourage future researchers to have dreams and enjoy their research. Above all, have fun. Of course, when I say "fun," I'm also referring to the hardships and difficulties. But I want people to know that if they're fulfilled, even hardships can turn into enjoyment. I want as many people as possible to overcome hardships and difficulties and experience the joy of pushing themselves beyond their limits.
