Before I moved from Thailand to Japan to join Institute of Science Tokyo, my head was full of “what-ifs.” I knew the research was world-class, but I was anxious about the day-to-day reality. Would I be able to make friends without fluent Japanese? Would the professors be too difficult to talk to? Would I spend 24 hours a day at my bench? Now, as a 2nd-year master’s student at the Kajiwara and Orihara Laboratory, I’ve realized that reality is much more welcoming and exciting than the stereotypes suggest.
Expectation: “I need to be fluent in Japanese to survive in the lab life.”
Reality: Not at all! In our lab, the atmosphere is truly global. We have around 30 members, and it is a perfect 50/50 split between Japanese and international students. With people from 17 different countries, ranging from the US and Sweden to Indonesia, English is a common bridge. Our seminars are held in English, and while learning some Japanese is great for daily life, it’s definitely not a barrier to doing high-level science here.
Expectation: “Japanese labs have very strict, rigid hierarchies.”
Reality: My experience with Professor Susumu Kajiwara and Associate Professor Kanami Orihara has been one of incredible support. Professor Kajiwara is a leader in biochemistry and fungal research, but he also cares deeply about social issues, one of which I’ll talk about next. Associate Professor Orihara is equally open-minded, sharing her own global research journey to help guide our careers. Even Assistant Professor Chen Xinyue is always available for a chat or to teach us a new technique if we feel like we’ve hit a wall. They aren’t just bosses — they are mentors.
My Most Impressive Memory: Breaking Barriers in STEM : One of the most defining moments of my time here wasn’t actually behind a microscope. In 2025, Professor Kajiwara organized a discussion on women in STEM with students from Institute of Science Tokyo High School. As an international female researcher, I was deeply moved to see a male professor take such a proactive lead in these conversations. We discussed everything from systemic problems to personal career journeys. It made me realize that our lab isn’t just a place for data. It is a place where we think about our impact on society. Being part of that dialogue made me feel that my voice, as a woman in biotechnology, truly matters here.
Expectation: “I’ll be at my desk from dawn until dusk.”
Reality: We value flexibility and trust. Our lab follows a core time of 10:00 to 17:00, but we aren’t chained to the lab. We have a creative magnet board to show where each of us is. If you want to work at Taki Plaza or another campus library for a change of scenery, you just move your magnet accordingly. This autonomy allows us to balance our research with a healthy student life.
The Kajiwara and Orihara Laboratory Community
We often joke that we are like a global team. Whether we are discussing molecular biology or sharing stories from our home countries, there is a sense of belonging. The lab is a research playground equipped with everything you need. We have three dedicated experimental rooms: one for cell lines, one for yeast and fungi, and a large common lab full of equipment. If we need something specialized, the Institute’s common facilities are excellent. I once used the confocal microscope for my research, and the process was very smooth.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking at Science Tokyo from abroad, don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. The culture here, especially in the Kajiwara and Orihara Laboratory, is built on international understanding and a shared passion for discovery. My three years here have taught me that international isn’t just a label on the website — it’s the daily reality of our research family. If you’re interested or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to check out our website.
Kajiwara & Orihara Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology
https://skj48-bio-titech-eng.jimdofree.com/
