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Some Questions on my Life in Tokyo

Q: 研究・仕事の内容を簡単に教えてください / What kind of research or work are you doing?

A: I am doctoral candidate in the University of Tokyo. My research area is Astrophysics. More specifically, Gravitational-Waves detection and data analysis. Japan operates one of the three Gravitational-wave detectors in the world. This was the primary reason why I chose to Japan for my higher studies and research. The reason for selecting Tokyo as the destination was my university. The research group I am working with here is one of the best groups for my research field. And besides, Tokyo is a nice place to live!


Q: 研究・仕事の内容を簡単に教えてください / What kind of research or work are you doing?

A: Principally, my research boils down to data-analysis. Unlike the usual case though, the data we analyse comes from the cosmos. Actually, from the merger of massive compactly packed objects called Black Holes. When these really heavy merge, they alter the very fabric of spacetime. When this happens, a gravitational wave is generated and propagates through spacetime. After a really long while, sometimes, these waves are strong enough to be detected by the ultra-sensitive detectors that people build on Earth some 30 years ago. The first such gravitational wave signal was detected in 2015 and there has been about 200 more detections since. My work is to make these detections more accurate and faster, using novel computational and data analysis techniques, for example, machine learning.


Q: 東京での暮らしはどうですか? / How do you feel about living in Tokyo?
利便性と安全性 / Convenience & Safety、公共交通の充実 / Excellent Public Transportation、食文化の豊かさ / Great Food Options、研究・仕事のしやすさ / Great Place to Work or Studyなど、ポジティブな側面

A: Public transportation is great, arguably the best in the world. My university is the perfect place for my kinda research. Vegetarian food options in Japanese cuisine are limited, but living in Tokyo means, you get to enjoy many different restaurants and cuisines. For example, even nearby the university campus, the number of Indian, Chinese and Korean restaurants equals the number of Japanese eateries.


Q: 東京の魅力を一言で表すと? / In one word or phrase, what do you love about Tokyo?

A: Comfort and Conveniences!


Q: 入国手続きや日本での諸手続きはどうでしたか? / How was the immigration or administrative process in Japan?
e.g., smoother than I expected. / easy even without speaking Japanese.

A: Well, to be honest, when I first arrived here, about four years ago, I did not speak any Japanese. So, a senpai from my lab helped me around with the administrative procedures. I believe, without his kind help, it won't have been easy for me to handle the whole process by myself. However, that was long back and not even in Tokyo, but in Kashiwanoha. Later, when I moved to Tokyo some two years ago, I could Japanese and handled everything by myself. Many administrative staff, in Tokyo especially, do have english translation devices or can themself communicate well in english. Having a grasp of workable Japanese is definitely a plus point I believe.


Q: 東京に住んでいる中での楽しみは何ですか? / What do you enjoy most about living in Tokyo?

A: History and culture that seeps through in-between those myriad of alleyways and streets that make up Tokyo. I love the vibrancy of life here. You have the silence of Meiji Jingu, together with the chaos of Shibuya nearby. My apartment is also located a quaint neighbourhood, that bustles up with noise from the children playing around. I love how this essential part of a country life is still able to breath in a large metropolitan city like Tokyo. The city has also given me some of my best memories in Japan and I love how it still continues to surprise me further.

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