The thought grew strong in me that since I had gone to the trouble of being born, I might as well be useful in helping people live long and healthy lives. And this thought has always resided in the back of my mind.

From my father, I learned the importance of working sincerely at things to which I had committed myself, and to persevere untiringly even in the face of little progress.

The Faculty of Technology of Tohoku University is renowned for its tradition of practical studies.

My natural mother died one month after I was born, apparently due to giving birth at an advanced age.

In such an environment, I was able to study things that could be of immediate usefulness to the world. That learning experience undoubtedly served me well when I eventually entered the work force.

Most of the work performed by a development engineer results in failure.

In 1978, I entered Tohoku University, into the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology.