-What is your job at Subaru Telescope?

I came to Hawaii as a construction supervisor. My roles were watching the construction, checking the conditions, and reporting them to Mitaka Campus. After the completion of the summit facilities, I participated in the operation and maintenance of the telescope itself. I continue such work as a day crew member.

- How did you become interested in this type of work?

It was some sort of quirk of fate. I never imagined that I would work at an astronomical observatory. However, I liked technical staff, so I call my self an “Astro-engineer.”

- How do you spend your weekend?

Mostly playing golf. My wife scolds me for that.

- What advice would you give to people who hope to find a job like yours?

What I want to say is: “Pay close attention to what’s happening in the workplace now” This is very fundamental. To figure out what is needed in any situation, you have to gain experience. This is how an engineer who can make an appropriate judgment in an instant is born.

- What do you do at Subaru Telescope?

I work as a “mobile crew.” That includes helping day crew members, inspecting the entire summit facilities of the telescope, dome, and control building, and guiding guests. I’ve been writing an inspection report almost every day for several years now.

- How did you become interested in this kind of work?

I was interested in astronomy as well as chemistry when I was young. So here I am now, working for Subaru. Life’s a mystery. We cannot imagine what is going to happen.

- What do you think of your current job?

In any workplace there are people doing different tasks to get the job done. As Subaru, there is a diverse group of people including researchers and engineers. As an engineer, I am happy to be at a first rate institution doing interesting work.

- How do you spend your free time?

I play golf with my wife almost every weekend. Also, everyday on my way to the summit of Mauna Kea, I climb cinder cones around Hale Pohaku during the time we spend to adjust to high altitude.