Vol.2 No.4 2010

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Interview : Restoration of engineering and Synthesiology−287−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.2 No.4 (2010) a genius, but that is important. Then, you must go out to the world and challenge established ideas. I think that is what “the age of collaboration and competition” means.In an age where a problem cannot be solved with only one idea, to remove the walls and to share knowledge and ability are something that only humans can do. Of course, the basics are important. While merely packing in knowledge won’t work, education is important.(Ono)What you said is certainly the spirit of Synthesiology. I think this will lead to the third success of engineering in Japan.(Nagai)From the standpoint of Synthesiology, I think it is necessary to build such mechanisms and activities at all levels and in all places. The key point is education in high school and above. It is necessary to create an environment where different ideas can compete. This means to nurture “dreams” and “curiosity.”Design is the essential human ability and the origin of engineering (Ono)Is this related to “design is the essential human ability”? (Nagai)I mentioned it for that purpose. Taking it to an extreme, I believe we can go ahead and create a new engineering faculty by combining the current faculties of economics, law, and engineering of Japan. (Ono)The general term for all of that will be design.In our discussion today, your contrast of science and technology was very interesting. While Western science has its origins in the clear objective of seeking God’s design, there is no clear explanation of why science exists in Japan, and it’s not going to endure by just being interesting. However, Japanese engineering had shone bright twice so far, and it is trying for its third glory, and I see that it is in good standing. This must be stated clearly, and the flag must be flown visibly. This is perhaps the same as strategy making. (Nagai)I think strategy making is important. It will be an issue for the third shining age of engineering. (Ono)Thank you very much for a valuable discussion.(This interview was conducted at the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba on August 19, 2009.)Profile of Dr. Kotobu NagaiCompleted the masters program at the Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo in 1977. After working as assistant at the Faculty of Engineering, UT, transferred to the National Research Institute of Metals (which became the National Institute for Material Science in 2001) in 1981. Worked as the head of Mechanical Engineering Lab, head of the Steel Research Center among others. Currently the Area Coordinator in charge of the Environment and Energy Materials. Doctor of Engineering (The University of Tokyo 1981). Member of Science Council of Japan. Specialty is metal material science (basic themes are clarification of the relationship between microscopic structure and mechanical properties; and compatible design of low environment load and high performance).

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