Research on communications technology that have a giant impact on society

Ever since joining NEC, I have been engaging in the research of large-capacity optical transmission and quantum cryptographic communications. Quantum cryptography is a technology that provides absolutely secure encrypted communication. Quantum computers can incapacitate modern encryptions by its massive computational capacity, which means that once quantum cryptographic communications come into practice, the cat-and-mouse game with code breakers becomes history. I feel a great sense of purpose as a researcher to be able to take part in the research of a technology that can have a huge impact on society.

I have done research in various technologies in the area of large-capacity optical transmission, and now I am working on a technology that supports the IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) Initiative, which is currently headed and promoted by NTT. IOWN is an initiative that seeks to connect the world with a photonics-based network instead of the conventional electronics-based network. It is considered to have the potential to be the next-generation communications infrastructure that can instantly process massive amounts of data while optimizing computing resources according to needs. My team works on the R&D of NEC’s original wavelength conversion technology that can reduce power consumption, implemented on a compact device. This will be key to developing an all-photonics network that bolsters this initiative.

Creating a people-friendly workplace for both genders

What I try to keep in mind when I work on management is to be positive with members as much as possible. The reason comes from an eye-opening experience with nursery teachers at the daycare center where my child went to. This is about 10 years ago. I saw the daycare staff always praising children for whatever good they do, which was shocking and inspiring for me at the time, comparing with how we usually communicated at work. I don't mean to baby my team members, but I have taken a leaf out of this experience for communication with people up to this date.

I took a maternity and childcare leave for a year in 2010. Even then, the laboratory had a culture of allowing employees to work comfortably and equally regardless of gender, not to mention that it was far from putting women on the ‘mommy track.’ In fact, the impartiality bothered me. With NEC being how it was, I relocated and worked for NEC Patent Service, an NEC group company, for five years from 2016. Now, NEC adopted the super-flex system and expanded remote working, which makes it even easier and more comfortable to work. Previously, if my child got cranky and made me late even by five minutes in the morning, I would have had to take a half a day off. Now that there is no longer core work hours, we don't have to worry about that anymore.

Corporate culture has fundamentally changed, and today there is no pressure to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the company. It is encouraged for male employees to also take childcare leaves. This has become easier and more flexible in terms of both the environment and procedure. You can also split up your childcare leave. I often advise male team members that splitting the leave period and taking a leave when their child is born and when their child starts going to daycare makes their spouse happy.

Workplace systems are getting more supportive of male and female researchers who want to make the most out of both their career and family life.