Please tell us about your research.

I have two main areas of research. The first is forwarding. The essential function of IP is divided into two parts: routing and forwarding. Routing determines the route to carry packets from one point to another and forwarding carries packets along the route. How fast can we make forwarding? My first area of research is to achieve the fastest forwarding in the world.
The second is privacy on the Internet. Since Edward Snowden revealed the massive surveillance system in the U.S., the importance of privacy on the Internet has been attracting more attention. In this context, my second research area is to protect privacy on the Internet.
A secure Internet and a fast Internet. These are the two major themes of our laboratory.

Could you tell us some episodes from your student days and
how you chose to become a researcher?

Because I wanted to start working as soon as possible, I skipped a year to enter this graduate school. However, shortly after entering graduate school, I had to start job hunting. It had only been a year after the entrance. I thought that should I start job hunting? Though I was starting to enjoy my research. It was too early for me to decide my future. Then I thought it might be a good idea to focus on doing research and go on to a doctoral course, so I did that. As a result, I am here now.

I think today's students study harder than I did. However, I would like them to understand that there are things they can only do now, that they cannot do after graduation, so they should not waste their time.

When I was an undergraduate student, I did not have high aspirations for my studies but rather focused on what I wanted to do most at the time. I was crazy about riding motorcycles during my college years, and I spent more time riding my bike than studying. Instead, when I entered graduate school, I switched gears and concentrated on my studies.

I want students to think carefully about their research, lives, and futures. I want them to focus on what is most meaningful to them. If you do this, I believe you will not hesitate to decide whether to find a job or to continue your research.