Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

“The typhoon is advancing — you can finish in one hour,” says my senzai (assistant professor) and leaves the lab. I am in Japan, well known as ‘the land of the rising sun’ — although as a visiting fellow from Austria, I have learned that it is also the land of typhoons and earthquakes.

Why did I choose Japan? Because I longed for something different and thought that I could find my personal challenge in Asia. Western scientists working in Japan are relatively rare. In 2003, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) brought in 144 European researchers and 117 US researchers for short stays, and only 32 Europeans and 15 US scientists for longer-term stints.

I applied for a JSPS short-term stipend and eventually got an invitation to work for two months at the pharmaceutical sciences department of the University of Osaka. Life as a scientist here is very different from anywhere else I have worked. The Japanese system places a premium on tight supervision, close collaborative effort — and long hours.

Apart from needing permission from my senzai to take cover in the event of a typhoon, I also need his permission to begin experiments. Every new experimental idea must be checked by the senzai and then the professor. On Fridays, students and junior researchers present a summary of their week's activities and deliver exact research plans for the following week.

A magnetic board monitors the presence and location of everyone in the lab. Right at the beginning, I received my personal marker to indicate exactly where I spent my time. And Japanese students have to dispose of their rubbish and clean their labs themselves.

Working days begin at 9:30 a.m. and usually end at about 10 p.m., with seminars (in Japanese only) sometimes held on Saturdays. Most students extend their work to weekends and holidays. Sleep deprivation often takes its toll in seminars or in front of the computer — but not to worry, there is no shame in dozing off at any time or anywhere.

Apart from experiencing a different research environment, doing a working visit to this country has allowed me to experience an entirely different way of life. I'd advise Western scientists to consider a visit. But take some language lessons first — and be prepared to work in a more controlled environment.

http://www.jsps.go.jp