Matsunaga EMW Laboratory

As 2023 is nearing its end, I wonder how the year has been for everyone?

As for me, my year began with a burst of optimism. I chanced upon a TV show featuring a famous Japanese fortune-teller who placed me high in a luck ranking. This made me hopeful for a good year ahead. However, looking back, this year deepened my understanding of what fortune really means.

To give a hypothetic example, you faced significant challenges. Yet, you was fortunate to have the mental and physical strength to confront these trials and find solutions. It felt like luck was on your side as you overcame these obstacles. Many people prefer to avoid trials, but overcoming them can lead to substantial growth. In that sense, facing significant challenges during a lucky phase might actually be a good thing. In 2024, I aim to continue my growth and hope to be of greater service to everyone.

The concepts of 'good luck' and 'a good year' seem very abstract. Is a year without hardships or challenges considered good or lucky? It appears that people naturally dislike difficulties and trials. Many seem to strive to live life avoiding these challenges. Some, in their wish for a tranquil life, even miss out on opportunities. Yes, nothing happens when you wish for nothing to happen, including joyful events. Perhaps we should view hardships and trials as inevitable parts of life. Overcoming them is beneficial, and beyond them lies the joy of growth. And as we grow, hardships become easier to surmount. Considering this, a year of significant growth could indeed be seen as a good year, a year of good fortune.

In 2024, I, Matsunaga, will continue to grow!

Recently, I took a photo of the helipad on the rooftop of Act Tower (Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu) near Hamamatsu Station, now lit up for winter. The photo was taken from a tree-lined street known as Act Street, showcasing the tower. Hamamatsu Station area, now lined with tower apartments, is dominated by this 45-story skyscraper. Interestingly, this building, inaugurated in October 1994, began construction in 1991 and opened amidst the collapse of Japan's economic bubble. Many see it as a relic of the bubble era. Act City Hamamatsu was built as part of a large-scale plan during the bubble period. It includes an international conference center, concert halls, a large exhibition space, a complex commercial facility, and a musical instrument museum. The construction and the 30 years since its opening have seen various hardships. For Hamamatsu city, this tower is a landmark, but to me, it appears somewhat solemn. Fun fact: the exterior of this building appeared in the third series of the TV drama 'Furuhata Ninzaburō' in 1999. Spoiler alert: it featured a scene with "window letters" created by the light leaking from a hotel room window.

As we approach the end of 2023, there's one topic I feel compelled to discuss: the problem of 'unwanted help'. Throughout the year, I've repeatedly touched upon this subject in my posts. In our interactions with others, one of the most crucial things to be mindful of is not to impose help that isn’t asked for or appreciated.

Here’s a typical scenario that I often see:

A husband makes a significant decision (like buying a house) without consulting his wife, assuming it’s the best choice for her. When the wife points out that the decision has various issues for her, the husband becomes furious, saying, “I made this decision after careful thought for your benefit, and you just dismiss it!” The wife may argue, “Shouldn’t there have been a discussion, an opportunity to hear my opinion before making such a decision?” to which the husband might respond, “Just listen to what I say.”

This issue is not limited to husband-wife dynamics. It’s the same whether the roles are reversed, or it involves colleagues, superiors and subordinates, or even friends.

The crux of the matter is this: problems often arise from making decisions or judgments about issues involving others without their input. In the given example, the husband might claim that the wife is creating trouble by objecting to his decision. This is a misguided notion. The wife is merely highlighting the issue of not being consulted on matters that also concern her. Furthermore, in this scenario, the husband's attitude—claiming he decided for her benefit and then demanding obedience—is essentially harassment. Let me reiterate, the real issue is proceeding with decisions without consultation, especially in matters that involve others. Voicing one's opinion in such situations is not wrong but should be actively encouraged. If the person who made an arbitrary decision then accuses those who seek consultation of causing trouble or asserts they did it for their benefit, or worse, demands compliance, that is harassment.

Living a long life often involves growing weary of interactions with others. As a result, many people choose to avoid engaging with others. However, considering that society is built on human connections, living might inherently involve relating with others. Therefore, striving for smoother communication seems natural. However, historically, there has been a tendency to hastily resolve issues without discussion or to view objections to unilateral decisions as taboo. But the real problem is making arbitrary decisions on matters involving others and then trying to impose them.

Many might find this bothersome. However, as I’ve mentioned before, "cutting corners only leads to more work." Take a moment to listen to others involved. You might find that your interactions with people become more enjoyable.

From December 21st to 22nd, 2023, I hosted the Microwave Research Meeting of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE) and the IEEE MTT-S/AP-S Nagoya Chapter Midland Student Express Autumn at the Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu Campus.

Since becoming a university professor, I have organized the Microwave Research Meeting several times as a committee member and local coordinator. This was the first time I held the event at Shizuoka University since my transfer there. The Midland Student Express has been a well-loved event for students in the Chubu region to present their work, and I have been actively involved as an organizer in recent years. I received a request to host the Microwave Research Meeting in December at Shizuoka University. I proposed to hold the Microwave Research Meeting and Midland Student Express concurrently, providing an opportunity for participants of both events to interact. I am deeply grateful to the Microwave Research Meeting organizers for their cooperation in holding these events simultaneously.

Graduate student from Matsunaga Lab presenting at the Microwave Research Meeting.

A graduate student from the Matsunaga Lab, who won the AP-S Award (Best Paper Award) at the Midland Student Express Spring held in April 2023, presented at the Microwave Research Meeting. The title of the presentation was "A Novel Double-Tapered Slot Antenna for Enhanced Radiation Patterns in the Upper Frequency Band". The study focused on the development of electromagnetic wave probe antennas, which are indispensable for high-performance imaging technologies. High-efficiency imaging techniques using electromagnetic waves are gaining interest. Application areas include biometric imaging like microwave mammography and non-destructive testing of internal deterioration in concrete structures. Enhancing these imaging techniques requires refining various technologies and combining them effectively. Among these, the performance of antennas that transmit and receive imaging waves directly impacts resolution. In this presentation, we proposed a new method to improve the radiation characteristics of antennas used in imaging technologies. For more details, please visit the Microwave Research Meeting's website.

I am profoundly thankful for the active participation and engaging discussions on the presentations. Having been involved in presenting and organizing since my master's program at Kyushu university, I am deeply indebted to the Microwave Research Meeting. I am committed to contributing, albeit modestly, to its ongoing role as a foundation for science and technology in Japan.

As the year swiftly reaches its final month, I am reminded of the annual tradition of sharing photos of winter illuminations on this blog. I visit this shopping mall every year and wonder if the gradually simplifying decorations reflect the economic downturn or perhaps symbolize global warming. Such is human nature, to speculate about the unknown.

Earlier this year, I watched a Japanese film on an international flight, "Ichikei's Crow". It's a legal suspense drama based on a manga set in a courtroom, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigation and unbiased judgment to prevent wrongful convictions. Personally, I've always strived to view things flexibly and judge fairly, so I'm pleased that such themes are gaining acceptance. A significant moment in the drama is the realization that even those who have committed crimes have the right to atone for them.

The story portrays scenarios where someone wrongfully takes the blame or protects someone else from their crimes, illustrating the right of the guilty to atone. This theme suggests that one should not intervene in others' issues based on personal judgment, nor should they feel superior for doing so.

I teach my students not to make unfounded assumptions and not to impose their beliefs on others. Here's a relevant example:
A student discussing job hunting mentioned:
Student: Leave me alone. It's none of your business, right?
Teacher: Yes, it's good that you're handling it in your way. Feel free to discuss any concerns.
Student: My approach to job hunting is unique. I don't think any teacher could understand. You would probably oppose it or offer unwanted advice, so please don't bother.
Teacher: Aren't you assuming that 'teachers won't understand your perspective' without giving a chance? You're pre-emptively criticizing based on words I haven't even said.
Student: ...
Teacher: Why not test how I respond? If I react as you expect, then you're free to criticize.

The student's assumption about my response and the act of protecting someone in "Ichikei's Crow" both stem from unfounded beliefs. In the first case, the student elevates their self-esteem by believing their protection is beneficial, disregarding the feelings of the actual guilty party. In the second, the student projects actions onto a teacher who hasn't done anything, ignoring the teacher's real thoughts and actions.

We should reconsider acts of assumption where we inadvertently strip others of their right to decide, thinking 'it must be so'.

One day, as I passed a construction site, I noticed a slogan similar to the one in the photo. I spontaneously thought, "That's so true," and took a picture. Upon closer inspection of the photo, I noticed it had an explanatory note attached, which led me to search the internet for more details. For further information, please refer to the blog mentioned in the references at the end.

In truth, I'm someone who never cuts corners. I apply this principle in everything I do, which sometimes annoys those who prefer to take shortcuts, accusing me of putting pressure on them. It's misguided to project the guilt of cutting corners onto those who don't. Therefore, it's disheartening to see students eager to seize any opportunity to slack off.

Indeed, "cutting corners leads to more work." Even in my constant effort to avoid cutting corners, I understand that issues requiring extra attention can still arise. This makes me wonder how much worse things would be if I did cut corners. I'm painfully aware that taking shortcuts only yields results of the same quality. Therefore, choosing to cut corners equates to resigning oneself to subpar outcomes, and this realization should be firmly embraced.

People tend to dislike tedious tasks and, as a result, want to cut corners. They often view those who don't take shortcuts as bothersome and develop an aversion towards them, as if diligent work is something wrong. This mirrors my experience with people accusing me of being a source of pressure. Essentially, they want to take shortcuts but feel guilty about it, so they blame others, redirecting their guilt and potential disdain towards them. A single act of cutting corners can lead to a cycle of compounding faults.

In a previous blog post about the importance of judgment and creativity, I advised parents on creating environments conducive for their children to develop these skills. I wrote, "It may seem bothersome, but please engage with your children's curiosity." That's the thing—education and research are full of tedious, time-consuming tasks. That's precisely why we cannot afford to cut corners. Children raised by cutting corners likely become more troublesome. Doesn't the momentary avoidance of inconvenience by cutting corners lead to far greater, often unsolvable problems later on?

"Cutting corners leads to more work" — this is a principle I want to keep in mind throughout life.

Reference:

https://www.morinaga-net.co.jp/blog/president/post-1937 (Japanese site)