Masahiko Inami: In the past, the value of a lab equaled to the value of its facilities—whether it has expensive measuring instruments or not, that sort of thing. It is still true in some fields of research today, but not so at an information engineering lab like ours, which does not need very expensive machines. Most of our work can be done with personal computers and some other affordable equipment.

Today, I suppose the value of a lab is determined by the breadth of its partnerships with businesses, universities and research institutes, and also by the diversity of values, ideas, and insights that it can attract to its communal space. Students and researchers should pursue the research process in company with a diverse group of people, not in isolation. Once such a communal space has been established, a succession of interesting results will certainly follow.

Masahiko Inami: We call it the “living lab.” It’s a living space where researchers and some fruits of their research are thrown together, so they can use the prototypes in the real-world environment and refine the technology. The concept of a living lab originated in Europe, and its purpose was to put technology users, manufacturers, and researchers in one place, letting them explore whatever issues that needed to be addressed. We created this place as a space for using and playing with various prototypes, so we can discover seeds of further research. We also conduct brainstorming and workshops here inviting corporate guests. We use this space not only to come up with solutions but also to explore our future courses of action.

Masahiko Inami: I’d say the skill of expressing oneself without being self-conscious. Keeping the output always in mind is vital to any research. Many students at the University of Tokyo love to cram themselves with information, but too much input without output can be harmful. It’s the same as breathing. You just can’t keep inhaling indefinitely—if you do you die. So, the cycle of inhaling and exhaling is the expression of life itself. If you come up with a new idea and feel an urge to create something, you should speak to others about it: otherwise your idea is meaningless. If you do talk, those who are listening will offer their insights in return. It is a rule among researchers to exchange wisdom using information as currency. If you tell an intriguing story, you get to listen to some new ideas of others.

Masahiko Inami: Exactly. The ability to express one’s ideas well enough to receive compensation is the requirement of a professional researcher. Expressing yourself is difficult and uncomfortable until you get used to it. I myself got very nervous before presenting my master’s thesis. I pulled an all-nighter to correct the paper time and time again and learned the entire text by heart, but my performance was a disaster. Now I can talk casually either in Japanese or English without a prepared text, but that’s because I’m now used to it. After speaking in public several times and building up self-confidence, you begin to receive a reaction from the listeners. And at some point you start enjoying the interaction.

Students at my lab will get opportunities to give presentations at academic conferences, which will teach them the useful skill of talking in front of an audience. There are some people who are a natural at giving presentations, but you don’t really have to be born that way, because anyone can improve their presentation skills by training.

Masahiko Inami: I encourage them to experience creating something and talking about it in front of others. It doesn’t matter if the subject is commonplace or trivial or imitative. Studying and receiving good grades are certainly important, but your experience of taking an initiative will be an even more powerful tool in a research project.