I want to contribute to create a research laboratory that can be flexible in responding to changes in society and consumers.
Science Research
Takashi Inoue
Management of a research team responsible for UX/UI and data science
In my fourth year after entering, I was transferred to a research laboratory in America where joint research was underway.
I entered the JT Group in April 2000 after completing graduate school. Immediately afterward, I was assigned to the Research Laboratory, which is responsible for science research, and I carried out studies on “human senses,” specifically the tastes and flavors of tobacco products. In my fourth year I was transferred to a laboratory in America which the R&D Group was involved in joint research with, where I continued my studies on subjects such as the senses of smell and taste.
This was actually my first experience living overseas, so I remember feeling extremely uneasy before going there. I was acquainted with the manager in America who I would be working with, so I was more concerned about how my life there would be than the work itself. I had a particularly difficult time since I had to set up my overall lifestyle during the time when I was most unfamiliar with communicating in English. However, when I finally got everything ready I was able to have the feeling “This will all work out somehow.”
Each part of my new work broadened my expertise as a researcher.
Although my research background from my time as a student was in chemistry, my studied in America actually required a background in biology instead. The field of research, “sensation,” was the same, but the approach to it was very different. At first it was difficult since I was required to put in a tremendous amount of learning, but in the end I was able to successfully summarize the results of my two years of research in America into a paper. Those two years were packed full of learning which I believe greatly broadened my range of expertise as a researcher.
After returning from America, I began work on the introduction of a new evaluation system and put in charge of research and development on sensation once again. After that, I transferred other division and was responsible for tasks such as the formulation of medium- to long-term plans and operating policies for the R&D Group, and providing support for business execution. This was my first time to leave the research laboratory and work at the Head Office, so I felt a lot of confusion at first, but through this work I was able to gain a wider perspective of the R&D Group’s research and development activities.
I want to be alert and sensitive to changes in society and consumers, and keep a positive attitude toward necessary changes.
Currently, I have returned to the Research Laboratory responsible for science research, where I am director of a research team. I am responsible for management of the new technological fields of UI/UX and data science in addition to the fields of smell and taste sensations that I was originally involved with, so it is essential for me to constantly learn about new academic areas.
In research and development work, the importance of building up efforts over the long term, and responding quickly to current issues, are both indispensable points. At times it becomes necessary to make changes to work that has been continued for many years. That is precisely why I want to have a positive attitude toward changes that are required.
The underlying goal of our work is to bring satisfaction and joy to consumers. If any changes occur in society or consumers, we must continue to be a research laboratory that can be flexible and change accordingly. I have had a long career working in research laboratories, so they have a special importance to me. I want to contribute to the creation of a laboratory where my colleagues can look forward to changes and can work with the highest level of energy and enthusiasm.