Task 11. Think of an invention that changed the way you live. Explain how and why it did

so? Please include specific details in your explanation.

I think I should pick a computer. Ah, computers were not available, like, you know, for the general public, to the general public, when I was a kid.And ah, the only option was, like, to write things by hand or, if it’s a computation, to

use a calculator.But, ah, when I was a college student, computers ... that’s when computers began to

become available, widely available.And, that accelerated, ah, both computational work as well as, like, document

processing of various kinds.And ah, I benefited greatly from a computer programs called LaTeX when I wrote my

dissertation.And ah, right now I work through my keyboard. Most of my work is done through my

keyboard.

グラマーチェック入り（但し口語のままで、didn’t を did not に変えたりはしないで下さい。）2. Who was the best friend you ever had? Why was he/she so good? Please include

specific details in your explanation.The best friend I had was Mr. Hirose [ph], who I met in the first year of…in…in high

school…in my fresh [ph] one year in high school.And, what’s so great about us was that we had totally different, disparate personalities.

He was quite outgoing, and I wasn’t, and yet we got along with each other…other so well.In fact, we are still very good friends and we are planning to start a new business

together. Ah, I am going to use my English-speaking skill, I, my English skills, and he’s going

to use his business and management skills.And we are going to…expecting…we are looking forward to have a great success.

3. What type of a book do you enjoy reading? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

The kind of book, I – books I enjoy most, ah, are the books about little creatures you find in the wild. For example, like insects, birds, fish, frogs, things like that.

Since childhood, I always enjoyed both watching and catching those little creatures, in particular insects and fish. And my wild – wild dream was to, to, travel around the world and to meet, observe,

and also catch those creatures all, eh, in the world. But so far I haven’t been able to do it. So at least I enjoy meeting those creatures in

books.That’s why I like those books.

4. Which country do you want to visit? What do you want to do there? Please include specific details in your explanation.

I like to visit the United States again. I am saying again, because I lived there for 20 years. I, I, particularly enjoyed my graduate study at the University of California at Berkeley and I made quite a friend there, friends there. We played and studied very hard, and since then we’ve gone, ar – we’ve gone separate

ways, but still we – we still have that memories from UC Berkeley and that kind of ties us together still. And it’s a uniting factor among us and I like to meet those friends again.

5. If you could change one thing in this world, what would you change? Please include specific details in your explanation.

If I could change one thing in this world, I’d like to change the human brain. So that people can never lie, because of their brain structure. And they are always honest and they – there is no such – such thing as, you know,

violating laws and regulations, rules knowingly.I – this is my dream because all through my life, you know, I am a very honest person

– and all through my life I have been very frustrated because so many people tried to, you know, gain something or win, you know, over others by being dishonest.And I think it’s quite disgusting that so many people are that way.

6. If you had an entire month to do whatever you would like to do, what would you do? Please include specific details in your explanation.

If I had an entire month to do, well I – what I could – what I’d like to do, I think, I like to take a month off from my work and study and tried to get started on my _ research in _ teaching English to speakers of other languages.At the age of 54, I can no longer do mathematics. I am actually a mathematician by

training. So I want to – my biggest contribution is perhaps – comes from teaching

English to Japanese students.So I would like to get a solid foundation by reading papers and books in the area of

teaching English to speakers of other languages. 7. When do you feel comfortable in your daily life? Please include specific details in

your explanation.I feel most comfortable when I am walking along _ River which is only about 10

minutes walk away from my office.One reason is that there is a, there is always a nice breeze and the weather is very nice.

And another reason is that I can be alone there. I do not necessarily enjoy being surrounded by other humans. And I need some time, I need to spend some time alone.And walking along Kamogawa river is a perfect way to do that. And I also enjoy

watching fish and birds, you know, in the river. So it is triply enjoyable and comfortable for me.8. What makes you very angry? Why? Please include specific details in your

explanation.I feel very angry when I see people violating rules knowingly. And sometimes they

even violate rules or ignore rules, you know, to gain something. And that annoys me quite a bit, because rules are there to be respected and to be observed. And I, if, if, if you violate those rules knowingly, it’s like, ah, you are – the very – you

are destroying the very _ modern society based on, you know, the contract, legal and otherwise among people.So that makes me very angry. I think honesty is the most important trait humans can

have. 9. When do you feel life is worth living? Please include specific details in your

explanation.I feel life is worth living when I try hard to achieve something and finally I – I finally

achieved it. And that feeling of, that the life is worth living, that feeling is becomes enhanced when my achievement is recognized and appreciated by other people.Then I know for sure that it’s not just, you know, the success, it’s not just making me

feel good, but it is making others feel good. And perhaps it is also helping others in some positive way, and way, and I’d like to

think that’s why my success is recognized and appreciated.So that’s when I feel most, I feel most, that my life is worth living.

10. Describe the person who has had the greatest influence on you. Please include specific details in your explanation.

The person who had the greatest influence on my was my late grandfather, my paternal

grandfather.Ah, ordinarily, you know, when you are very small, when you are two or three, four,

around there, people – adults around you would not tell you about like principles of life, or what kind of philosophy you should subscribe to, and, you know, how humans should behave.But he would talk about those things and somehow he was very good at delivering that

message to me, and make me understand what he was trying to tell me.And I still, I am still very grateful that he did that to me, and I remember him quite

often. He still shows up in my dreams and I love him so much. 7:4511. If you could have any part-time job in the world, which would you choose and

why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

12. What do you think you can do to help the hungry in developing countries? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think the easiest thing you can do is to control the amount of food you know you put

on the table.In other words just cook as much as you can eat. And this way you can control the

waste – wasted food.And also you can try to convince the local and also the country’s government to pass a

new regulation so, food waste, I mean, in the words, whatever is left uneaten that can be redistributed and recycled and can be delivered to the needy.

Cleaned-up TranscriptI think the easiest thing you can do is to control the amount of food you put on the

table.In other words just cook as much as you can eat. And this way you can control the

wasted food.And also you can try to convince the local and also the country’s government to pass a

new regulation so, food waste, in the words, whatever is left uneaten that can be redistributed and recycled and can be delivered to the needy.

13. Describe the best decision you have made in your life. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe best decision ever I’d made was a decision to – the decision to go the States and to

study there, because that expanded my horizon and I grew as a person, I met many people, I got my degree there and also my language ability, my English improved as well.And in particular, especially since I am working with international students now that

experience you know the experience of being an international student in the foreign country myself is helping me greatly.All the factors I mentioned above are really contributing to my current success if I can

call – I can call it a success. So I am very grateful that I got that chance.

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe best decision ever I’d made was the decision to go the States and to study there,

because that expanded my horizon and I grew as a person, I met many people, I got my degree there and also my language ability, my English improved as well.And in particular, especially since I am working with international students now that

experience you know the experience of being an international student in the foreign country myself is helping me greatly.All the factors I mentioned above are really contributing to my current success if I can

call it a success. So I am very grateful that I got that chance.

14. What kind of a pet animal do you want to keep? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI want to keep a dog, because dogs are like for example compared with cats, dogs are

more straightforward, they seem more honest, and ah, they are more active.I like playing with my pet animal so if it’s a dog I can run around and I can play you

know, go and fetch and things like that.So I would prefer dog and also my own personality is ah, pretty much like that of a

dog. I am –I am very straightforward, I am honest and I feel more comfortable when my pet shows – ah, its emotion openly and it’s if, you know it’s easy to figure out how – how the pet is feeling. So I prefer a dog.

Cleaned-up Transcript

I want to keep a dog, because dogs are like for example compared with cats, dogs are more straightforward, they seem more honest, and ah, they are more active.I like playing with my pet animal so if it’s a dog I can run around and I can play go

and fetch and things like that.So I would prefer dog and also my own personality is ah, pretty much like that of a

dog. I am very straightforward, I am honest and I feel more comfortable when my pet shows, its emotion openly and its if, you know it’s easy to figure out how the pet is feeling. So I prefer a dog.

15. Among the people who are alive today, who would you most like to meet? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to meet Edward Witten. Ah, Edward Witten is a physicist, but he is also a

Fields medal winner.Fields medal is the highest honor in mathematics. And I actually took classes – two

classes from him when I was at Princeton.But he was always so busy and he was a bit scary too. And I never had a chance to

really talk to him, spend a lot of time with him. Ah, only like questions and answers kind of thing and there – our conversations were always very short.But as one of leading physicists he – he can probably give me advice as to how

research should be conducted and how one can come up with good ideas. Ah, and I also want to know what is – what it is like to be Edward Witten, because I would never be one like he, a physicist like him.

Cleaned-up TranscriptI would like to meet Edward Witten. Edward Witten is a physicist, but he is also a

Fields medal winner.Fields medal is the highest honor in mathematics. And I actually took two classes

from him when I was at Princeton.But he was always so busy and he was a bit scary too. And I never had a chance to

really talk to him, spend a lot of time with him, only like questions and answers kind of thing and our conversations were always very short.But as one of leading physicists he can probably give me advice as to how research

should be conducted and how one can come up with good ideas. And I also want to know what it is like to be Edward Witten, because I would never be one like he, a

physicist like him.

16. If you were to die in a year, what would you want to do before you die? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI am not really sure what I can achieve in a year. I think if that happens to me if I

know I will be dying in the year what I would like to do is just to keep going you know to keep teaching and studying and conducting research as I am doing now. And try to accelerate of course if I could but ah, more or less the most important thing for me is not to lose composure too much.It’s easy to say and I don’t what happens if I actually I know if – if my life – that my

life is going to expire in a year.But anyways I would like to keep going and ah, I will keep working hard and I – I

more or less would like to run through the goal line as opposed to slowing down near the end.

Cleaned-up TranscriptI am not really sure what I can achieve in a year. I think if that happens to me if I

know I will be dying in the year what I would like to do is just to keep going you know to keep teaching and studying and conducting research as I am doing now. And try to accelerate of course if I could but more or less the most important thing for me is not to lose composure too much.It’s easy to say and I don’t what happens if I actually I know that my life is going to

expire in a year.But anyways I would like to keep going and ah, I will keep working hard and I more or

less would like to run through the goal line as opposed to slowing down near the end.

17. What place do you want to visit again? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI want to visit Ishikari River, that’s a river near my house – my parent’s house. And

when – when I was growing up especially in when I was a grade school kid I enjoyed visiting that river a lot.I liked catching insects, ah, you know on the river bed then catching fish in the river

and also watching birds. And ah, in those days the rivers, the water was still clean so I was able to swim as well.So I would like to – you know if I can again experience that fun you know I had – I

had in my boyhood it will be great. So I want to visit that river again. And see if I can experience the same fun.

Cleaned-up TranscriptI want to visit Ishikari River, that’s a river near my house my parent’s house. And

when I was growing up especially in when I was a grade school kid I enjoyed visiting that river a lot.I liked catching insects, on the river bed then catching fish in the river and also

watching birds. And in those days the rivers, the water was still clean so I was able to swim as well.So I would like to if I can again experience that fun I had in my boyhood it will be

great. So I want to visit that river again. And see if I can experience the same fun

18. Talk about the best restaurant you have ever visited. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe best restaurant I have ever visited was a Japanese restaurant, I forgot the name.

Ah, but even though it was a Japanese restaurant it wasn’t located in Japan.I visited that place ah, in Berkeley, California. I was a graduate student then.So I wasn’t you know, I couldn’t afford to go place like that but I was invited by my

advisor and some of his guests, ah, to that restaurant.And, of course, the food was delicious but what was most impressive to me was that

when I went to the bathroom there was a lady waiting right outside for me to come back, with a towel and she handed it to me.So it was a very unusual place and actually that place made me nervous

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe best restaurant I have ever visited was a Japanese restaurant, I forgot the name.

But even though it was a Japanese restaurant it wasn’t located in Japan.I visited that place ah, in Berkeley, California. I was a graduate student then.So I couldn’t afford to go place like that but I was invited by my advisor and some of

his guests to that restaurant.

And, of course, the food was delicious but what was most impressive to me was that when I went to the bathroom there was a lady waiting right outside for me to come back, with a towel and she handed it to me.So it was a very unusual place and actually that place made me nervous

19. What was the worst lie you have ever been told? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe worst lie ever was told to me when I was in – in high school, ah, when I got back

from high school a friend of mine, ah, told me – she told me that my younger sister fell off a horizontal bar and got injured.And ah, I really got – became – I was scared to death because at that point ah, that time

she was only like 9 years old. And ah, of course you know she had a lot of – many years decades ahead.And also being a women ah, I was afraid that she may become, ah, her limbs – either

her limbs or maybe her face you know may become disfigured and ah, those things may affect a lady’s life significantly. So that was the worst lie.

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe worst lie ever was told to me when I was in high school, when I got back from

high school a friend of mine, she told me that my younger sister fell off a horizontal bar and got injured.And I really was scared to death because at that point, that time she was only like 9

years old. And of course you know she had a lot many years decades ahead.And also being a women, I was afraid that she may become, either her limbs or maybe

her face you know may become disfigured and those things may affect a lady’s life significantly. So that was the worst lie.

20. Who do you ask for advice first when you face a problem? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe first person I go to, ah, when I have a problem is my father, ah, because of course

it depends on the nature of the problem, but generally speaking he – my father and I both worked in industry for a while and then became a teacher.

He was a high school teacher and I am a college professor, but nevertheless, ah, you know we the – the problems I have with my colleagues or with my students they have a lot in common with the kind of problems he experienced before so he can help me a lot.And also another thing is that his personality is quite like mine and his lacking peoples

skills as I am so, his advice is of very valuable on that account as well.

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe first person I go to when I have a problem is my father because of course it

depends on the nature of the problem, but generally speaking my father and I both worked in industry for a while and then became a teacher.He was a high school teacher and I am a college professor, but nevertheless, the

problems I have with my colleagues or with my students they have a lot in common with the kind of problems he experienced before so he can help me a lot.And also another thing is that his personality is quite like mine and his lacking peoples

skills as I am so, his advice is of very valuable on that account as well.

21. Who do you have the greatest respect for? Why do you think that person is so good? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe person I respect – respect most is my advisor, ah, the advisor I had at UC

Berkeley. His name is Professor Robertson [ph] – William Robertson.I respect him so much because he is not only a great scholar mathematician but also he

is, ah, great teacher.He knows exactly what kind of guidance his students need and ah, he is quite good at

explaining you know making difficult ideas quite clear to his students.So for those reasons I respect him very much. He is my role model and also my

inspiration.Ah, He is also quite creative and original and he is know – he is called a trailblazer and

the trendsetter. And I want to be like him myself.

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe person I respect most is the advisor I had at UC Berkeley. His name is Professor

William Robertson [ph].I respect him so much because he is not only a great scholar mathematician but also he

is, ah, great teacher.

He knows exactly what kind of guidance his students need and he is quite good at explaining you know making difficult ideas quite clear to his students.So for those reasons I respect him very much. He is my role model and also my

inspiration.He is also quite creative and original and he is called a trailblazer and the trendsetter.

And I want to be like him myself.

22. What color do you like best? Why do you think you like the color? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe color I like best is blue. Ah, once someone said I had a fixation with blue. I don’t

think it is that bad but there is no doubt that I love the color blue.By the way, ah, one of the chemist I respect most ah, Professor – Dr. Woodward, he is

dead now. Professor Woodward had a fixation with blue as well; his parking lot was painted blue.Ah, I think one of the reasons why I like the color blue is that it the color of the sky

and I like outdoor activates quite a bit.I think ah, also ah – and the books I published so far they also had blue covers.And I think I will keep loving blue and this love affair will end only when I die.

Cleaned-up TranscriptThe color I like best is blue. Once someone said I had a fixation with blue. I don’t

think it is that bad but there is no doubt that I love the color blue.By the way, one of the chemist I respect most Professor Dr. Woodward, he is dead

now. Professor Woodward had a fixation with blue as well; his parking lot was painted blue. I think one of the reasons why I like the color blue is that it the color of the sky and I

like outdoor activates quite a bit.I think also and the books I published so far they also had blue covers.And I think I will keep loving blue and this love affair will end only when I die.

23. If you are to learn another foreign language in addition to English, what language do you choose? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

I want to learn German. There are three reasons for it. Number one, I like the sound – the strong sound of German.And secondly when I was, ah, as undergrad even though my major now is

mathematics, as an undergrad I was a chemistry major and German is a very important language, it was at least in chemistry.And number three at ah, when I was studying abroad in United States, one of my

office mates – one of my best friends was German.And ah, therefore I have – I feel some kind of emotional attachment to that language.

So ah, I would like to learn German if I were to learn another language.

Cleaned-up TranscriptI want to learn German. There are three reasons for it. Number one, I like the sound

the strong sound of German.And secondly when I was as undergrad even though my major now is mathematics, as

an undergrad I was a chemistry major and German is a very important language, it was at least in chemistry.And number three at when I was studying abroad in United States, one of my office

mates one of my best friends was German.And therefore I feel some kind of emotional attachment to that language. So I would

like to learn German if I were to learn another language.

24. Describe your favorite TV program. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy favorite TV program is – is a news program. Ah, there are three reasons for it.The first reason is that I spent most of time in my office, in my laboratory conducting

research and ah, watching news programs is the best way to keep in touch with the rest of the world.And the second reason is that, ah, a news programs, ah, there are various news every

evening and ah, I don’t get bored because there is plenty of variety in any news program.And the third reason it stems from the same fact that there are different segments in the

news program.Since because there are small segments I can watch just some part of it and still enjoy

it.

Cleaned-up TranscriptMy favorite TV program is a news program. There are three reasons for it.The first reason is that I spent most of time in my office, in my laboratory conducting

research and watching news programs is the best way to keep in touch with the rest of the world.And the second reason is that a news programs there are various news every evening

and I don’t get bored because there is plenty of variety in any news program.And the third reason it stems from the same fact that there are different segments in the

news program.Since because there are small segments I can watch just some part of it and still enjoy

it.

25. What incident is unforgettable from your childhood? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

One incident I still remember is happened when I was in – I was about seven years old. One day I found a dead rat – dead rat and I put it in the community well.I wasn’t aware that that well was being used by some people to get ah, like drinking

water and to wash their clothes. So when I did that when my parents found it out they got very upset and they beat me

and ah, soon fire engines arrived and they drained the well and ah, all through that experience I was scared to death.But I did not then understand the enormity of that – how bad what I did was.

Cleaned-up TranscriptOne incident I still remember is happened when I was about seven years old. One day

I found a dead rat dead rat and I put it in the community well.I wasn’t aware that that well was being used by some people to get like drinking water

and to wash their clothes. So when I did that when my parents found it out they got very upset and they beat me

and soon fire engines arrived and they drained the well and all through that experience I was scared to death.But I did not then understand the enormity of that how bad what I did was

26. To what extent are you satisfied with your life now? How would you rate it on a scale of 1 to 10? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIt is very difficult to tell. It is very difficult to tell to what extent I am satisfied because

ah, in a way I am not satisfied with my life at all, because my goal was to become a – ah, like world leading scientist – one of the leading scientist in the world. And I guess I have failed to do that.At – at that age of 54 I don’t think I have much time left to do it and I don’t think I will

be do it.On the other hand though in my daily life I work very hard and I like the research I am

doing now, and I like the teaching I am doing now, and I like me students.So generally speaking I am quite satisfied with my job and in that sense I might call it

a satisfactory life.Ah, but I don’t think it is too good to be completely satisfied so in that sense it’s also

good.

Cleaned-up TranscriptIt is very difficult to tell. It is very difficult to tell to what extent I am satisfied because

in a way I am not satisfied with my life at all, because my goal was to become a like world leading scientist one of the leading scientist in the world. And I guess I have failed to do that.At age 54 I don’t think I have much time left to do it and I don’t think I will be do it.On the other hand though in my daily life I work very hard and I like the research I am

doing now, and I like the teaching I am doing now, and I like me students.So generally speaking I am quite satisfied with my job and in that sense I might call it

a satisfactory life.But I don’t think it is too good to be completely satisfied so in that sense it’s also good.

27. What would you do if you were given a million dollars? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think I would like to set up a scholarship with one million dollars.While I am still alive, ah, I will feel very happy watching young people being helped

by the scholarship and studying hard and being happy because they received the scholarship it will be a real fund.Now it is also good – a scholarship is also good because it keeps living even able my

death, ah, because if I had a one million dollars that’s enough fund ah, for the – you know to operate the scholarship with the interest.So, ah, it will be really great and it might even be exiting to die you know with that

knowledge with the knowledge that the scholarship will keep helping – keep helping young people after my death.

Cleaned up transcriptI think I would like to set up a scholarship with one million dollars.While I am still alive I will feel very happy watching young people being helped by

the scholarship and studying hard and being happy because they received the scholarship it will be a real fund.Now it is also good a scholarship is also good because it keeps living even able my

death, because if I had a one million dollars that’s enough fund for the to operate the scholarship with the interest.So, it will be really great and it might even be exiting to die with that knowledge with

the knowledge that the scholarship will keep helping keep helping young people after my death.

28. Choose one recent incident that made you happy and explain why it did so. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

I still remember ah, this incident from last year ah, last March – March is when students graduate from college in Japan.Last March one of the students who I had taught, ah, taught English, ah, came to me in

March and ah, made a trip you know, ah, to Kyoto to—to where the university is and ah, visited my office to thank me for my teaching.And while I was teaching him he was in my class, ah, he didn’t seem happy because I

am kind of tough, I am teacher – I am disciplinarian and ah, I didn’t think he was very happy with my teaching.But he came back to me on that day and told me that I was happy he was that he was

able to improve his English.

So that – that surprised fact made it extra special form me.

Cleaned up transcriptI still remember this incident from last year last March. March is when students

graduate from college in Japan.Last March one of the students who I had taught, taught English, came to me in March

and made a trip to Kyoto to where the university is and visited my office to thank me for my teaching.And while I was teaching him he was in my class, he didn’t seem happy because I am

kind of tough, I am teacher, I am disciplinarian and I didn’t think he was very happy with my teaching.But he came back to me on that day and told me that I was happy he was that he was

able to improve his English.So that surprised fact made it extra special form me.

29. What food do you eat often? Explain why you do so. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI eat Chinese food often and there are about three reason for it.The first treason is simply the taste; I love the taste of Chinese food.And the second reason is that, ah, it’s got a lot of vegetables and also beef – beef or

some other meat so you can both get both vegetables and ah, some meat, so it very nutritious that’s the second reason.And the third reason is that with Chinese food it’s almost like any thing goes and there

is a wide variety of dishes you know available to you.So someone like me who eat out almost every night for someone like me it’s perfect

because you never get sick of eating Chinese food. Ah, its quick and its filling, it’s good.

Cleaned up transcriptI eat Chinese food often and there are about three reason for it.The first treason is simply the taste; I love the taste of Chinese food.And the second reason is that it’s got a lot of vegetables and also beef or some other

meat so you can both get both vegetables and ah, some meat, so it very nutritious that’s the second reason.

And the third reason is that with Chinese food it’s almost like any thing goes and there is a wide variety of dishes you know available to you.So someone like me who eat out almost every night for someone like me it’s perfect

because you never get sick of eating Chinese food. It’s quick and its filling, it’s good.

30. Consider what you have been doing up to this point in your life. If you died today, do you think you would go to heaven or hell? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, it depends on how stringent you know how tough the requirement is to go to

heaven. But I think more or else I can – I will make it to heaven because, ah, first of I am very honest and I am generally a very conscientious good person I believe.And secondly I work very hard and ah; you know I make honest efforts every day.

And ah, I am not ah, I don’t work hard just for myself but I – I am very responsible and I am caring and try to help others.So ah, this third factor – the third factor that I do not just work for myself but to help

others ah, would probably be enough to push me into heaven as opposed to hell. At least that’s what I hope.

Cleaned up transcriptIt depends on how stringent, how tough the requirement is to go to heaven. But I think

more or else I can I will make it to heaven because first of I am very honest and I am generally a very conscientious good person I believe.And secondly I work very hard and I make honest efforts every day. And I don’t work

hard just for myself but I am very responsible and I am caring and try to help others.So the third factor that I do not just work for myself but to help others would probably

be enough to push me into heaven as opposed to hell. At least that’s what I hope.

31. If your eyes could detect either ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, which would you like to see? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think I would like to detect infrared rays because that means I have a night vision and

ah, everyday I work until very late and on my way home the streets are not necessarily

very well lit and I will be very useful if I had a nice – night visionAlso ah, these days so many bicycles are running wildly on the side walk not on the

streets. And ah, sometimes I – sometimes I get hit by a bike, it’s not a serious incident but to prevent something like that a night vision would be usefulIt will also be interesting to see what I cannot normally see like bats at night. So I

would like to see, ah, detect ultraviolet rays.

Cleaned up transcriptI think I would like to detect infrared rays because that means I have a night vision and

everyday I work until very late and on my way home the streets are not necessarily very well lit and I will be very useful if I had a nice night visionAlso these days so many bicycles are running wildly on the side walk not on the

streets. And I sometimes I get hit by a bike, it’s not a serious incident but to prevent something like that a night vision would be usefulIt will also be interesting to see what I cannot normally see like bats at night. So I

would like to see, detect ultraviolet rays.

32. If you could invent a machine that can do one task for you, what task would you like the machine to perform? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think I would like to invent an external memory. When I say an external memory I

don’t mean that for my computer but for my brain.All through my life I suffered from this weak memory and I actually blame ah, my

failing to pass the entrance exam – college entrance exam and the fact that I had to take it twice I – I blame that on my weak memory.So if I had an external memory that’s very efficient and it works as an external

database you know with ah, effective ah, searching and fetching and all.I think I can do much better academically and the research than I am doing now. Ah, I

have more or less failed to become one of the leading scientist in the world.But I think I – would have been able to do so if I had such a memory.

Cleaned up transcriptI think I would like to invent an external memory. When I say an external memory I

don’t mean that for my computer but for my brain.All through my life I suffered from this weak memory and I actually blame my failing

to pass the entrance exam college entrance exam and the fact that I had to take it twice, I blame that on my weak memory.So if I had an external memory that’s very efficient and it works as an external

database with effective searching and fetching and all.I think I can do much better academically and the research than I am doing now. I

have more or less failed to become one of the leading scientist in the world.But I think I would have been able to do so if I had such a memory.

33. When do you feel you are still immature? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI feel very immature when I explode, when I get very angry with others.Ah, so often there is a good reason for getting angry – but the way I really explode and

the way I talk to – to people when I am angry that, ah, you know that’s like I – I act like child when I am very angry.And I – ah, its quite offensive I – I make, ah, even people who are not at fault very

unhappy because of the abusive language I use and ah, I don’t think at this point at my age I don’t think I can improve it greatly, but at least I would like to control my anger so I wouldn’t say anything terrible to others.

Cleaned up transcriptI feel very immature when I explode, when I get very angry with others.So often there is a good reason for getting angry but the way I really explode and the

way I talk to people when I am angry I act like child when I am very angry.And I its quite offensive I make even people who are not at fault very unhappy because

of the abusive language I use and I don’t think at this point at my age I don’t think I can improve it greatly, but at least I would like to control my anger so I wouldn’t say anything terrible to others.

34. What kind of a parent would you like to be? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to be parent who can guide – guide the child -- the children so that he will

lead an honest and morally and ethically correct life.

And also I would like to be able to help my children to be better than I am. It’s easy to say and quite difficult to achieving – achieving something like that maybe quite difficult. But I would like to strive to be like that.Ah, one thing you can do is just to set the good example and another things I can do I

think is to say inspiring things and try to inspire the children to – to become to be better than their parents and they like to try that.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to be parent who can guide the children so that he will lead an honest and

morally and ethically correct life.And also I would like to be able to help my children to be better than I am. It’s easy to

say and quite difficult to achieving, something like that maybe quite difficult. But I would like to strive to be like that.One thing you can do is just to set the good example and another things I can do I

think is to say inspiring things and try to inspire the children to become to be better than their parents and they like to try that.

35. If you could live as long as you like, how long would you like to live? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIf I could remain young and active then I would like to live forever. On the other hand

if you know I keep aging and you know after like say 100 years of the existence on the earth, I wouldn’t be either effective or active any longer and I will just be ah, you know, say the only thing I can say about myself is that I am not dead then I would say if I lived for a century maybe give 20 more years so 120 or so that would be enough.So it all depends on how active I can remain and how my body keeps functioning. But

ah, basically I would like to keep working hard as long as I could and when I lose my effectiveness is time for me to go.

Cleaned up transcriptIf I could remain young and active then I would like to live forever. On the other hand

if I keep aging and after like say 100 years of the existence on the earth, I wouldn't be either effective or active any longer and I will just be, say the only thing I can say about myself is that I am not dead then I would say if I lived for a century maybe give 20 more years so 120 or so that would be enough.

So it all depends on how active I can remain and how my body keeps functioning. But basically I would like to keep working hard as long as I could and when I lose my effectiveness is time for me to go.

36. What do you think exists outside of the universe? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIt’s not even clear if there is you know the inside and the outside, ah, for this universe.

And I actually I tend to think that ah, there is no outside.You see we live in this three dimensional world and we are so used to observing

objects with inside and outside and also we are so used to seeing objects with some limitation in terms of its dimension you know length and width and stuff.But, ah, you know there are some geometrical – the geometrical objects for which

there is no end or no, ah yeah, no limit and I think this universe is something like that. So my contention is that there is no outside or inside for this universe.Therefore there is nothing in that sense outside of this universe.

Cleaned up transcriptIt’s not even clear if there is the inside and the outside for this universe. And I actually

I tend to think that there is no outside.You see we live in this three dimensional world and we are so used to observing

objects with inside and outside and also we are so used to seeing objects with some limitation in terms of its dimension length and width and stuff.But, there are some geometrical objects for which there is no end or no, ah ye no limit

and I think this universe is something like that. So my contention is that there is no outside or inside for this universe.Therefore there is nothing in that sense outside of this universe.

37. Do you want to be a member of the opposite sex in your next incarnation if there were such a thing? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI am a man and I don’t think I’d like to be a women in my next incarnation, because I

think it’s ah, you know it’s easier to be a man in this world.I am not talking about just discrimination but, generally speaking you know the way

you behave you can behave more freely the way you like.And also you know you can dress, ah, sort of casually and you don’t have to worry

about looking very good or you know, ah, looking decent and stuff.So I think its much easier to be a man and that means you can spend more energy to

do, ah, you know to – to do your work and conduct research and to do all the things you would like to concentrate on.So I think I would like to be a man and ah, I would like to do, ah – live more freely.

Cleaned up transcriptI am a man and I don’t think I’d like to be a women in my next incarnation, because I

think it’s easier to be a man in this world.I am not talking about just discrimination but, generally speaking the way you behave

you can behave more freely the way you like.And also you can dress sort of casually and you don’t have to worry about looking

very good or looking decent and stuff.So I think it’s much easier to be a man and that means you can spend more energy to

do, to do your work and conduct research and to do all the things you would like to concentrate on.So I think I would like to be a man and I would like to do, live more freely.

38. When do you feel most nostalgic in your life? What makes you feel that way? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI feel most nostalgic when I visit a shrine, ah, actually there is a shrine, ah, very near

my office – our campus, I am a college professor.And the reason is that ah, I was a granddaddy’s kid and he is definitely one of those

people you know, including my parents who love me most dearly, ah, in my life.And he – he did not just love and spoil me, but he also taught me how to live decently

as a human being because he was a Shinto priest.And ah, that’s still helping me quite a bit and ah, I still miss him and whenever I see or

visit a Shinto shrine I remember him.

Cleaned up transcriptI feel most nostalgic when I visit a shrine, actually there is a shrine very near my office

our campus, I am a college professor.

And the reason is that I was a granddaddy’s kid and he is definitely one of those people, including my parents who love me most dearly, in my life.And he did not just love and spoil me, but he also taught me how to live decently as a

human being because he was a Shinto priest.And that’s still helping me quite a bit and I still miss him and whenever I see or visit a

Shinto shrine I remember him.

39. What was you childhood dream? Do you still have it? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy childhood – childhood dream was, ah, there were two dreams I had. One was to

become a professional baseball player. And the other was to become a scientist.And in those days I was so naïve that I believed I could do both you know

professionally playing baseball and being a scientist.As it turned out I wasn’t that good, ah, at baseball and I had to give it up give up that

dreams mid way through my, ah, junior year in high school. But the other dream, ah, kept living on and I ah, managed to become a mathematician.Ah, I can’t say it was brilliant career but I am pretty happy that at least on of the two

you know 50% is a good average. Ah, one of the two dreams came true.

Cleaned up transcriptMy childhood dream was - there were two dreams I had. One was to become a

professional baseball player. And the other was to become a scientist.And in those days I was so naïve that I believed I could do both professionally playing

baseball and being a scientist.As it turned out I wasn't that good at baseball and I had to give it up give up that

dreams mid way through my junior year in high school. But the other dream kept living on and I managed to become a mathematician.I can't say it was brilliant career but I am pretty happy that at least on of the two 50%

is a good average. One of the two dreams came true.

40. Based on your experience, when do you have to give priority to speed over quality? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

It doesn’t happen that often in my life because I’m a – I am a scientist, ah, but I think when you are conducting a preliminary research or some kind of survey to find out what’s good to conduct a research on, especially when you in competition with others you know to submit a good proposal, I think ah, sometime we have to give priority to speed, because it’s of utmost importance to come up with a quick and dirty [ph] and still nice looking idea.And ah, beat others you know ah, I mean to submit your proposal before other do.And ah, so in that – in that case your speed is more important than the quality of the

idea.

Cleaned up transcriptIt doesn’t happen that often in my life because I’m a scientist, but I think when you are

conducting a preliminary research or some kind of survey to find out what’s good to conduct a research on, especially when you in competition with others to submit a good proposal, I think sometime we have to give priority to speed, because it’s of utmost importance to come up with a quick and dirty [ph] and still nice looking idea.And beat others I mean to submit your proposal before other do.And so in that in that case your speed is more important than the quality of the idea.

41. If the government pays all the expenses needed to raise a child, how many children would you like to have? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think, I would like to have three children. Ah, I think if there three I think there is

good chance that you know, ah, you have different personalities.And it good for the children also because they have a chance to you know the, ah,

family itself is like a small community.And they have a chance to deal with differ types of people. Not just another, ah, the

other person but there are two more.And also it will contribute to at least mathematically you know increasing the

shrinking population of Japan. Ah, two parents and three children.So in that sense also I think I would like to have three. I like three boys and I like to

have vibrant family atmosphere – vibrant family atmosphere.

Cleaned up transcriptI think, I would like to have three children. I think if there three, I think there is good

chance that you have different personalities.And it good for the children also because they have a chance to the family itself is like

a small community.And they have a chance to deal with differ types of people. Not just another, the other

person but there are two more.And also it will contribute to at least mathematically increasing the shrinking

population of Japan. Two parents and three children.So in that sense also I think I would like to have three. I like three boys and I like to

have vibrant family atmosphere vibrant family atmosphere.

42. What subject did you like the best in your high school days? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI liked all the science subjects and also mathematics to some extent. Especially I liked

biology since, I was very interested in insects and fish and other creatures.I was, ah, as I said since I was also interested in chemistry and physics I wanted to

apply chemistry and physics to biology.And that’s why in college I studied biochemistry and biophysics.And later ah, I became a mathematician but even then my love of biology, chemistry,

physics remained living – kept living on quite strong.

Cleaned up transcriptI liked all the science subjects and also mathematics to some extent. Especially I liked

biology since, I was very interested in insects and fish and other creatures.I was, as I said since I was also interested in chemistry and physics I wanted to apply

chemistry and physics to biology.And that’s why in college I studied biochemistry and biophysics.And later I became a mathematician but even then my love of biology, chemistry,

physics remained living kept living on quite strong.

43. What kind of a company would you like to lead as the president? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to lead a company, ah, that’s regarded as a trailblazer or a trendsetter in

the field.Ah, it is more fun to – to be innovative and ah, create new things and set a new trend

than you know to – to use like mass marketing techniques or the large fund available because the company size is large, ah, to do those things to make profits.So ah, I would like to work for company, ah, full of energy and the spirit of innovation

and ah, creativity.Ah, if I can lead a company like that I think ah, I can – I can enjoy the rest of my life,

ah, even though I do not like management that much.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to lead a company that’s regarded as a trailblazer or a trendsetter in the

field.It is more fun to be innovative and create new things and set a new trend than to use

like mass marketing techniques or the large fund available because the company size is large, to do those things to make profits.So I would like to work for company, full of energy and the spirit of innovation and

creativity.If I can lead a company like that I think I can I can enjoy the rest of my life, even

though I do not like management that much.

44. What are the qualities of a good teacher? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptA good teacher have a complete mastery of the subject matter, ah, a good teacher

should be able to explain difficult ideas, even the most difficult ideas – difficult ideas clearly to the students.Ah, a good teacher should be aware of what’s difficult for the students. And a good

teacher should be ah, should be able to encourage the strong students to study more on their own.And a good teacher should also be able to ah, encourage even the weak – weakest

students ah, to – to try their best.And he – a good teacher must be good at spotting the students who are doing working

hard and keep encouraging them.

Cleaned up transcript

A good teacher have a complete mastery of the subject matter, a good teacher should be able to explain difficult ideas, even the most difficult ideas difficult ideas clearly to the students.A good teacher should be aware of what’s difficult for the students. And a good

teacher should be should be able to encourage the strong students to study more on their own.And a good teacher should also be able to encourage even the weakest students to try

their best.And a good teacher must be good at spotting the students who are doing working hard

and keep encouraging them.

45. What do you consider was the best opportunity you have had to grow as a human being? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe best opportunity for me was when I failed a college entrance examination and I

had to study for another year to take the exam again.Ah, it was the best opportunity to grow because, ah, I failed the exam despite my best

efforts. And so I learned that if doesn’t you know – even despite your best efforts sometimes things don’t go your way and even when it doesn’t work ah, it doesn’t work well once you know, if you, ah, keep trying hard you may ah, eventually be able to open the door as I was able to – I learned that because I was able to successfully pass the exam the following year.

Cleaned up transcriptThe best opportunity for me was when I failed a college entrance examination and I

had to study for another year to take the exam again.It was the best opportunity to grow because; I failed the exam despite my best efforts.

And so I learned that if doesn’t even despite your best efforts sometimes things don’t go your way and even when it doesn’t work it doesn’t work well once, if you keep trying hard you may eventually be able to open the door as I was able to I learned that because I was able to successfully pass the exam the following year.

46. What is your favorite pet? Why is it your favorite? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy favorite pets are Japanese crickets because ah, they chirp very nicely – they chirp

with a very high tone.And when I was in grade school I was good at catching those crickets and you know I

would bring them home and my mother also loved the chirping sound and ah, she was very happy whenever I brought one of them home.And ah, so to me it was not only an insect that’s interesting to me and ah, – that chirps

nicely but it was also like a tool for to me please my mother, who I love so much.And right now, ah, I live far away from my mother but I keep the crickets in my office.

And whenever I see them I remember my mother.

Cleaned up transcriptMy favorite pets are Japanese crickets because they chirp very nicely they chirp with a

very high tone.And when I was in grade school I was good at catching those crickets and I would

bring them home and my mother also loved the chirping sound and she was very happy whenever I brought one of them home.And so to me it was not only an insect that’s interesting to me and that chirps nicely

but it was also like a tool for to me please my mother, who I love so much.And right now, I live far away from my mother but I keep the crickets in my office.

And whenever I see them I remember my mother.

47. Describe your dressing style. Why do you dress that way? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI dress casually because I am not that much interested in, ah, fancy clothing. Ah, I

once said I wear clothes to remain legal and ah, also for temperature control.Ah, I think what I wear is – is not nearly as important as what I can do. So if I have

time and effort I can spend trying to find the, ah, right clothes I would rather spend that energy on my research and on teaching.I am a college professor and so that’s my idea of dressing. Dress casually, comfortably

and ah, concentrate on you work not on you dress.

Cleaned up transcriptI dress casually because I am not that much interested in fancy clothing. I once said I

wear clothes to remain legal and also for temperature control.I think what I wear is not nearly as important as what I can do. So if I have time and

effort I can spend trying to find the right clothes I would rather spend that energy on my research and on teaching.I am a college professor and so that’s my idea of dressing. Dress casually, comfortably

and concentrate on you work not on you dress.

48. How do you learn English? Why is it effective for you? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI learned – I learned English employing all for—all the senses meaning you know ah,

visual and oral and speaking you know, using my muscles and ah, it’s integrative approach.And I also try to, ah, develop all four skills reading, writing, speaking and listening at

a time, because in real life you know as a college professor I have to – I have to use all four skills in a – in a integrated manner.And it looks like there is – there is some synergy among all those four skills. And only

by developing all four at time I think I can truly gain proficiency in English.

Cleaned up transcriptI learned English employing for all the senses meaning, visual and oral and speaking,

using my muscles and it’s integrative approach.And I also try to, develop all four skills reading, writing, speaking and listening at a

time, because in real life as a college professor I have to I have to use all four skills in a in a integrated manner.And it looks like there is there is some synergy among all those four skills. And only

by developing all four at time I think I can truly gain proficiency in English.

49. Which sport do you like best? What aspect of the sport appeals to you? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like baseball best ah, because one reason is that, ah, I have been playing it since my

junior high school days and ah, I still play it so you know I am attached to it. That’s one reason.

And another reason one aspect I like about baseball is that it’s both physical and mental.Of course its physical but also you have to strategize your moves very carefully and

you game plan should be carefully calculated including you know who to send in as a substitute and you even have to have a long term ah – a long term plan for the entire season if you want to – if you want to win. So, ah, that’s why I like baseball.

Cleaned up transcriptI like baseball best because one reason is that I have been playing it since my junior

high school days and I still play it so I am attached to it. That’s one reason.And another reason one aspect I like about baseball is that it’s both physical and

mental.Of course its physical but also you have to strategize your moves very carefully and

you game plan should be carefully calculated including who to send in as a substitute and you even have to have a long term ah a long term plan for the entire season if you want to if you want to win. So that’s why I like baseball.

50. Which subject did you think was most important in high school? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI thought Japanese – you know Japanese for Japanese students was the most important

subject because when you operate you know, especially modern society, ah, verbal communication since it’s so complicated and everything sophisticated verbal communication and expressing yourself clearly is very important.Ah, also – I was told then that there was a high correlation – this is true, ah, among the

smart student there was a high correlation between their science skills and ah, their Japanese, ah, skills.So I – I thought that you know ah, Japanese was – forms a foundation for everything

Cleaned up transcriptI thought Japanese for Japanese students was the most important subject because when

you operate, especially modern society, verbal communication since it’s so complicated and everything sophisticated verbal communication and expressing yourself clearly is very important.Also I was told then that there was a high correlation this is true among the smart

student there was a high correlation between their science skills and their Japanese skills.So I thought that Japanese forms a foundation for everything

51. Explain your idea of a happy life. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptTo me a happy life is a life in which, ah, you are working very hard to achieve

something and ah, you are doing so not just for yourself but also to help others.And in the process you are being – your effort is, ah, recognized by others and it’s

appreciated by others.And you are also grateful – if you are also grateful for the opportunity, ah, given to you

to work hard and to try to achieve something, if your life is going like that, ah, I think it is a very fulfilling and happy life.And ah, you so if you can remain productive through your life both for yourself and

for society I think it is a happy life.

Cleaned up transcriptTo me a happy life is a life in which you are working very hard to achieve something

and you are doing so not just for yourself but also to help others.And in the process you are being your effort is recognized by others and it’s

appreciated by others.And you are also grateful if you are also grateful for the opportunity given to you to

work hard and to try to achieve something; if your life is going like that I think it is a very fulfilling and happy life.And you so if you can remain productive through your life both for yourself and for

society I think it is a happy life.

52. Which dish do you like best? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like a Japanized – Japanese ah, style Indian dish called curry rice best. Ah, of course

I like the taste, it’s a bit spicy but it’s got a lot of flavor, you know.And ah, I like the taste but also both my grandmother and my mother they were quite

god at cooking ah, and preparing that dish.And ah, their versions were entirely different and yet I love the ah, both of you know –

both of them.And I still remember you know, in my childhood whenever they asked me what I

wanted to eat I would say curry rice.So ah, I have – it has a sentimental value for me.

Cleaned up transcriptI like a Japanized – Japanese ah, style Indian dish called curry rice best. Of course I

like the taste, it’s a bit spicy, but it’s got a lot of flavor.And I like the taste but also both my grandmother and my mother they were quite god

at cooking ah, and preparing that dish.And ah, their versions were entirely different and yet I love both of them.And I still remember you know, in my childhood whenever they asked me what I

wanted to eat I would say curry rice.So it has a sentimental value for me.

53. Who helped you the most to get where you are today and in what way(s)? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe person, who helped me the most ah, is Professor Robertson, my graduate

academic advisor – in my graduate advisor at UC Berkeley. There were two reasons.First he helped me academically, ah, because he guided me through the maze of

dissertation research and helped me get my PhD degree.Ah, but the second reason is just as important, he provided a very strong moral

support. Ah, I was not necessarily a spectacular student but he kept telling me how happy he was to have a student who worked very hard.And he also told me there are many ways to succeed in life. And ah, I – that helped

me remain flexible in my job search.

Cleaned up transcriptThe person, who helped me the most is Professor Robertson, my graduate advisor at

UC Berkeley. There were two reasons.First he helped me academically, because he guided me through the maze of

dissertation research and helped me get my PhD degree.

But the second reason is just as important; he provided a very strong moral support. I was not necessarily a spectacular student but he kept telling me how happy he was to have a student who worked very hard.And he also told me there are many ways to succeed in life. And I – that helped me

remain flexible in my job search.

54. Describe one thing you want to achieve before you die. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptSince I am scientist and also since I am very interested in helping Japanese student

develop – improve their English, ah, I am interested learning enough about the human brain, so that I can scientifically you know help, ah, my students gain proficiency in English.And ah, I am not even afraid to go for some drastic measures, ah, such as embedding

some you know linguistic chip in the brain or performing a microsurgery.So I would like to achieve some kind of scientific approach to improving my students

English, that’s what I want to do before I die.

Cleaned up transcriptSince I am scientist and also since I am very interested in helping Japanese student

improve their English, I am interested learning enough about the human brain, so that I can scientifically you know help my students gain proficiency in English.And I am not even afraid to go for some drastic measures such as embedding some

linguistic chip in the brain or performing a microsurgery.So I would like to achieve some kind of scientific approach to improving my students

English, that’s what I want to do before I die.

55. What is your goal in life? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy goal in life is – is not just to remain healthy and happy and enjoy my life but to be

– to be useful to others.Ah, by – to me it means to conduct important research, useful research and also to

teach well and guide my students.Ah, when I ah, I also want to – want to help my students – I want to help my help my

students both academically and otherwise.When I say otherwise, I mean – I want to provide them sufficient moral support and I

also want to teach them you know – instill into them moral values and ethical values and to help them to live well.

Cleaned up transcriptMy goal in life is not just to remain healthy and happy and enjoy my life but to be

useful to others.To me it means to conduct important research, useful research and also to teach well

and guide my students.I also want to help my students. I want to help my students both academically and

otherwise.When I say otherwise, I mean I want to provide them sufficient moral support and I

also want to teach them instill into them moral values and ethical values and to help them to live well.

56. If you had a wish, what would you wish? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI have a very concrete wish and it is to learn much more about matter and energy and

about this universe in general because my personal view – aim is, I am a scientist and my personal view is that, ah, humans you know, all human activities, thoughts and all, ah, could be – can be explained by physics and chemistry.But ah, even though we have a come a long way, ah, we still have a long way to go

and ah, I really want to, ah, make help human beings to make a significant progress in that direction and that work I wish to do in the rest of my life.

Cleaned up transcriptI have a very concrete wish and it is to learn much more about matter and energy and

about this universe in general because my personal aim is, I am a scientist and my personal view is that all human activities, thoughts and all, can be explained by physics and chemistry.But even though we have a come a long way, we still have a long way to go and I

really want to make help human beings to make a significant progress in that direction and that work I wish to do in the rest of my life.

57. What fruit do you enjoy eating most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI enjoy eating apples most. Ah, one reason is its texture. Ah, it’s got a crisp texture

and when you bite into it you know it kind of cracks like rice cracker and I like it.Ah, also it’s not too sweet—sweet, it’s not too sour, it has the right mixture of

sweetness and sourness and I like that too.Another reason by the way is that ah, our family was kind of poor not very wealthy

and ah, eating apples – apples were ah, some kind of a luxury for us and ah, when I see apples – I saw apples, I used to get very excited.And that memory makes apples my favorite fruit.

Cleaned up transcriptI enjoy eating apples most. One reason is its texture. It’s got a crisp texture and when

you bite into it kind of cracks like rice cracker and I like it.Also it’s not too sweet, it’s not too sour, it has the right mixture of sweetness and

sourness and I like that too.Another reason by the way is that our family was kind of poor not very wealthy and

eating apples were some kind of a luxury for us and when I saw apples, I used to get very excited.And that memory makes apples my favorite fruit.

58. If you could become rich succeeding in any business, what would you choose? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would choose education industry. Ah, it may or may not be easy to become rich ah,

you know, getting involved in education but it can be an after our school, it can be a software company that develops educational software, whatever it is I think education is very meaningful because it cultivates the young mind.Ah, the academic skills of the students in Japan, my country ah, has been you know

declining for the past three decades or so. And I would I like to reverse the trend.So and ah, if I make money in that business, I would like to invest that money to

improve our education.

So I have a meaningful way to spend the money as well.

Cleaned up transcriptI would choose education industry. It may or may not be easy to become rich getting

involved in education but it can be an after our school, it can be a software company that develops educational software, whatever it is I think education is very meaningful because it cultivates the young mind.The academic skills of the students in Japan, my country has been declining for the

past three decades or so. And I would I like to reverse the trend.So if I make money in that business, I would like to invest that money to improve our

education.So I have a meaningful way to spend the money as well.

59. What kind of a person do you respect most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe kind of person I respect the most are those, ah, who has the basics down. In the

other words I am talking about the job or research situation.Ah, it’s a person with a sound basic knowledge but also it’s a person who is flexible

enough ah, to apply the knowledge and to combine and integrate the knowledge to come up with his own version of knowledge.And that kind of person can adapt to a new situation easily and in this changing world

and information, ah, you know intensive society a person like that who can gather information and integrate his knowledge to deal with the information is the most useful and capable person.

Cleaned up transcriptThe kind of person I respect the most are those, who has the basics down. In the other

words I am talking about the job or research situation.It’s a person with a sound basic knowledge but also it’s a person who is flexible

enough to apply the knowledge and to combine and integrate the knowledge to come up with his own version of knowledge.And that kind of person can adapt to a new situation easily and in this changing world

and information intensive society, a person like that who can gather information and integrate his knowledge to deal with the information is the most useful and capable

person.

60. What do you treasure most in life? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI treasure honesty most in life. Without honesty you know you – if you can't even trust

what other people are saying ah, you can't even get started on, ah, more meaningful and ah, meaningful activity in this society.And very foundation of the society is to like you know ah, peoples honesty to abide by

the laws and rules ah, this society is – is based on.So, unless people are honest you have to spend so much energy trying to figure out

what people really mean, and you don’t have much energy or time left to engage in more meaningful activities and being more productive.So I think honesty is the most important.

Cleaned up transcriptI treasure honesty most in life. Without honesty – if you can't even trust what other

people are saying, you can't even get started on more meaningful and meaningful activity in this society.And very foundation of the society is to like peoples honesty to abide by the laws and

rules this society is based on.So, unless people are honest you have to spend so much energy trying to figure out

what people really mean, and you don’t have much energy or time left to engage in more meaningful activities and being more productive.So I think honesty is the most important.

61. Describe the most important thing you have done for others and explain why it was important. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think the most important thing I have done ah, for others in this case for my students

was teaching them both mathematics and English.They are science majors and in sciences most of the papers are written in English so

ah, in addition to their math’s skills you know, of course, mathematics is – is a – is of utmost importance in most of the physical science.

So in showing addition to teaching them mathematics I was also able to teach English to them.Ah, it’s kind of rare that one professor can do both and that double duty I performed, it

was the most important thing I could do for other meaning my students.And I am very proud of ah, what I have done and what they learnt.

Cleaned up transcriptI think the most important thing I have done for others in this case for my students was

teaching them both mathematics and English.They are science majors and in sciences most of the papers are written in English so in

addition to their math’s skills, of course, mathematics is of utmost importance in most of the physical science.So in showing addition to teaching them mathematics I was also able to teach English

to them.It’s kind of rare that one professor can do both and that double duty I performed, it was

the most important thing I could do for other meaning my students.And I am very proud of what I have done and what they learnt.

62. Describe the strangest dream you have had. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI had this strange dream in my first year in the United States, ah, in which American –

my American friends didn’t talk to me. And at that time I thought it was just a matter of my poor English ability.And – and ah, but – but then later on after I got back to Japan on several occasions I

had a similar dream in which even my Japanese friends didn’t talk to me.So I now think that, ah, you know this dream signifies, ah, this kind of dream signifies

my mind [ph] ability to understand and communicate well with others and other people’s inability to understand me.Ah, this happens very often and I am kind of a black sheep that’s why. So this doesn’t

surprise me, but nevertheless, it was a – like a silent movie and it was very weird.

Cleaned up transcriptI had this strange dream in my first year in the United States, in which my American

friends didn’t talk to me. And at that time I thought it was just a matter of my poor

English ability.But then later on after I got back to Japan on several occasions I had a similar dream in

which even my Japanese friends didn’t talk to me.So I now think that, ah, you know this dream signifies this kind of dream signifies my

mind [ph] ability to understand and communicate well with others and other people’s inability to understand me.Ah, this happens very often and I am kind of a black sheep that’s why. So this doesn’t

surprise me, but nevertheless, it was like a silent movie and it was very weird.

63. What has been your best scholastic achievement so far? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy best scholastic achievement came ah, when I was studying – I was a graduate

student, ah, at the City College of New York and ah, there ah, one semester I won a gold medal called the Belden gold medal that’s – that’s given to outstanding achievement in mathematics.And I – I still believe that one of the ah, very old professors there who liked, ah, you

know my diligence and also my ability very much ah, lobbied for me because he knew that I hadn’t won any prize up to that point and the prize would be useful when I applied for another graduate school. So I am still grateful.

Cleaned up transcriptMy best scholastic achievement came ah, when I was a graduate student, ah, at the City College of New York and there, one semester I won a gold medal called the Belden gold medal that's - that's given to outstanding achievement in mathematics.And I still believe that one of the very old professors there who liked my diligence and also my ability very much lobbied for me because he knew that I hadn't won any prize up to that point and the prize would be useful when I applied for another graduate school. So I am still grateful.

64. What time of the year is your favorite? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like – my favorite season or my favorite time is April. Ah, that’s the beginning of the

academic – the academic year in Japan and that’s when I have a chance to meet many young students – freshman.And ah, you know on entering the college at that point they are still – they still have a

strong desire to learn and to work hard you know and they take my lectures very seriously and they come to my office hours and it’s – it is great fun, ah, you know to – to study with them.But later somehow they spirits deteriorate and they begin to slack and slack just a bit

and that’s pretty sad.

Cleaned up transcriptMy favorite season or my favorite time is April. That’s the beginning of the academic

year in Japan and that’s when I have a chance to meet many young freshman.And on entering the college at that point they still have a strong desire to learn and to

work hard and they take my lectures very seriously and they come to my office hours and it is great fun to study with them.But later somehow they spirits deteriorate and they begin to slack and slack just a bit

and that’s pretty sad.

65. What do you do to find time for relaxation? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptOne thing I do to make time for relaxation is ah, to try to manage my teaching

schedule in a clever manner.Most of my teaching occurs towards the end of the day, ah, toward the evening and

this way I have, ah, you know the entire morning and also around noon open and ah, I manage to relax just a bit in the middle of the day around noon and then also at night before I go bed.Ah, by the way another thing I do is to keep a regular schedule and make relax –

relaxation time a part of my schedule.This is more like forcing myself to relax but, ah, you know it is necessary for

productivity. So I think it’s important, schedule management is extremely important for to make time for relaxation.

Cleaned up transcriptOne thing I do to make time for relaxation is to try to manage my teaching schedule in

a clever manner.Most of my teaching occurs towards the end of the day, toward the evening and this

way I have the entire morning and also around noon open and I manage to relax just a bit in the middle of the day around noon and then also at night before I go bed.By the way another thing I do is to keep a regular schedule and make relaxation time a

part of my schedule.This is more like forcing myself to relax but it is necessary for productivity. So I think

it’s important, schedule management is extremely important for to make time for relaxation.

66. What do you do for relaxation? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think for some people relaxation means sitting back and enjoying you know, doing

nothing but mine is a it’s a lot more active relaxation, because I enjoy skate boarding, ah, in my spare time.Ah, I started skate boarding in high school about 30 years ago and I am still going

strong.And people may think that it will make you tired and it’s not relaxing. But if you are –

you are good at doing that you know, gliding over the ground, ah, you know, at a leisurely pace and ah, kicking right and using you legs, ah, to some extent mildly and that’s very relaxing.And a its a ah, like it – my only regret is that I can no longer perform tricks, I am

getting too old for them.

Cleaned up transcriptI think for some people relaxation means sitting back and enjoying you know, doing

nothing but mine is a it’s a lot more active relaxation, because I enjoy skate boarding, ah, in my spare time.I started skate boarding in high school about 30 years ago and I am still going strong.And people may think that it will make you tired and it’s not relaxing. But if you are

good at doing that gliding over the ground, at a leisurely pace and kicking right and using you legs to some extent mildly and that’s very relaxing.And my only regret is that I can no longer perform tricks, I am getting too old for

them.

67. What hobby do you enjoy most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy top hobby is catching fish in the river nearby. First off – the activity of catching

fish itself is very exciting.Secondly, while I do that I get, ah, sufficient exercise and it’s good for my health. I

can also enjoy the nature there and ah, I – it makes me remember my childhood you know, when I enjoyed catching fish and insects ah, in nearby – nearby river.And somehow that gives me a lot of energy, ah, you know, to get going when I get

back from this activity. So catching fish in Kamogawa serves various purposes and it is my one hobby to date.

Cleaned up transcriptMy top hobby is catching fish in the river nearby. First off, the activity of catching

fish itself is very exciting.Secondly, while I do that I get, ah, sufficient exercise and it’s good for my health. I

can also enjoy the nature there and it makes me remember my childhood when I enjoyed catching fish and insects in nearby river.And somehow that gives me a lot of energy, to get going when I get back from this

activity. So catching fish in Kamogawa serves various purposes and it is my one hobby to date.

68. What was the greatest missed opportunity in your life? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, the great missed opportunity happened, ah, while I was a – I was a visiting

researcher at the University of California at Berkley.I thought then that ah, you know, I could only get like short-term contracts year after

year and ah, if I keep – I kept staying at Berkeley, it will never be turned into a permanent contract. And that’s why I left Berkeley and came back to Japan, and I am now teaching at Kyoto University in their international center.But as it turned out, ah, the entire university of California system opened up a new

campus and there were quite a few permanent opening after I left there. So it was the greatest missed opportunity.

Cleaned up transcriptThe great missed opportunity happened while I was a visiting researcher at the

University of California at Berkley.I thought then that I could only get like short-term contracts year after year, and if I

kept staying at Berkeley, it will never be turned into a permanent contract. And that’s why I left Berkeley and came back to Japan, and I am now teaching at Kyoto University in their International Center.But as it turned out the entire university of California system opened up a new campus

and there were quite a few permanent opening after I left there. So it was the greatest missed opportunity.

69. When do you or did you feel lucky? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI feel lucky when I meet ah, new – new students in April, at the beginning of the

academic year. Ah, their youth, and their energy, and their excitement, ah, you know they are quite contagious and that energizes me.Ah, of course, I am always surrounded by young students, but especially in the

beginning you know, ah, the energy level is very high and I feel very happy that I am associated with them and I have – I get a change to interact with them and teach them.And that is the time of the year when you know the campus is full of energy and I feel

so happy that I am a teacher.

Cleaned up transcriptI feel lucky when I meet new students in April, at the beginning of the academic year.

Their youth, and their energy, and their excitement they are quite contagious and that energizes me.Of course, I am always surrounded by young students, but especially in the beginning

the energy level is very high and I feel very happy that I am associated with them and I get a change to interact with them and teach them.And that is the time of the year when the campus is full of energy and I feel so happy

that I am a teacher.

70. How do you personally feel about the relationship between science and religion? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI understand that for example Einstein was quite religious and sometimes, ah, religion

can drive people to find out – out scientific truths. But by and large I think ah, you know, religion provides, ah, obstruction to, ah, to the development against the development of science.So I think ah, scientific endeavors you know based on proofs and measurements

should prevail eventually and you know religion based on blind belief or some subjective feeling, ah, should be eliminated completely from human society.That’s a drastic opinion but you know if you subscribe to objectivity that’s how you –

that the conclusion you will draw from it.

Cleaned up transcriptI understand that for example Einstein was quite religious and sometimes, religion can

drive people to find out scientific truths. But by and large I think religion provides obstruction to the development against the development of science.So I think scientific endeavors based on proofs and measurements should prevail

eventually and religion based on blind belief or some subjective feeling should be eliminated completely from human society.That’s a drastic opinion but you know if you subscribe to objectivity that’s the

conclusion you will draw from it.

71. Which country do you think is the most beautiful in the world? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think of all the countries I visited, ah, Switzerland, is the most beautiful.Ah, I am a – I am kind of biased of course because ah, yeah my bias comes from the

fact that I prefer – the mountains over the ocean.Ah, so you know those Swiss Alps has beautiful peaks of Swiss Alps and ah, blue

lakes to go with them ah, and the fresh air they have you know, all those combined Switzerland is the most beautiful country in the world.Especially when, ah, the sun is shining only one side of those peaks at dawn and at

sunset, ah, it almost looks sublime.

Cleaned up transcript

I think of all the countries I visited, Switzerland, is the most beautiful.I am kind of biased of course because – my bias comes from the fact that I prefer the

mountains over the ocean.So those Swiss Alps has beautiful peaks of Swiss Alps and blue lakes to go with them

ah, and the fresh air they have all those combined Switzerland is the most beautiful country in the world.Especially when the sun is shining only one side of those peaks at dawn and at sunset,

ah, it almost looks sublime.

72. What would you like to do in your next incarnation if there were such? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIn my next incarnation, I would like to play baseball. I mean I like to be a professional

baseball player.My childhood – childhood dreams were twofold, one was to become a professional

baseball player and the other was to become a scientist.And I managed to become a scientist but ah, you know doing science – doing research

is kind of a mental activity.And I would like to bring some physical element and the excitement into my life in my

next incarnation. And that I can do if play baseball because baseball is not only a ah, physical sport but it is only a – you know the mental aspect of that sports is also – sport is also very important.So I would like to be a professional baseball player for some excitement and fun.

Cleaned up transcriptIn my next incarnation, I would like to play baseball. I mean I like to be a professional

baseball player.My childhood dreams were twofold, one was to become a professional baseball player

and the other was to become a scientist.And I managed to become a scientist but doing research is kind of a mental activity.And I would like to bring some physical element and the excitement into my life in my

next incarnation. And that I can do if play baseball because baseball is not only physical sport but it is the mental aspect of that sports is also very important.So I would like to be a professional baseball player for some excitement and fun.

73. Which finger do you think is the most important for you? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to a philosophical and a concrete answer. Ah, it is the index finger.The philosophical aspect is that, ah, the index finger signifies pointing out. And I like

to point out to my student what’s important and give them guidance with my index finger in a abstract way.And I also have people – others use their index fingers in a symbolic way to point out

to me the shortcomings – my shortcomings and also the way I should be heading.Ah, the concrete aspect is – is that I actually use my index finger to point out, ah, to

my students what important you know on the board or on the slide.So the index finger is the most important.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to a philosophical and a concrete answer. It is the index finger.The philosophical aspect is that the index finger signifies pointing out. And I like to

point out to my student what’s important and give them guidance with my index finger in a abstract way.And I also have people, others use their index fingers in a symbolic way to point out to

me my shortcomings and also the way I should be heading.The concrete aspect is that I actually use my index finger to point out to my students

what important you know on the board or on the slide.So the index finger is the most important.

74. At what age or by what age do you want to get married? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI don’t want to get married at this point in my life. I am 54 years old and I think it’s

getting late. I – I the reason by the way, is twofold.Ah, number one in addition to my age, number one I was married once and it didn’t

work out and I kind of feel that ah, I am not a marrying kind, that’s one of the reason.And another reason is that ah, I have – I am not having a spectacular career and I can’t

say I am – I am very successful.And when – when your life is not going well its no time to get someone involved in it

you know.When you are very happy and things are going well then you can share that happiness

with someone else and amplify that happiness, but now is ah – is not the time to do it for me.

Cleaned up transcriptI don’t want to get married at this point in my life. I am 54 years old and I think it’s

getting late. The reason by the way is twofold.Number one in addition to my age, number one I was married once and it didn’t work

out and I kind of feel that I am not a marrying kind, that’s one of the reason.And another reason is that I am not having a spectacular career and I can’t say I am

very successful.And when your life is not going well it’s no time to get someone involved in it.When you are very happy and things are going well then you can share that happiness

with someone else and amplify that happiness, but now is not the time to do it for me.

75. Where would you like to be professionally in 20 years time? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIn 20 years I will be 74. And ah, I hope that, ah, at that point I will be compiling all

the work I have done, you know I would have enough, I hope, I would have done enough and I would be compiling all the work I have done.So later generations you know following generations, ah, could take advantage of, ah, I

– what I have done and they can take it from there.I would like to achieve it in two areas, one is mathematics and sciences. And the other

is English education.I had the fortune of – great fortune of studying in the States for 20 years and both in

terms of science and in terms of English.I got the lot and I want to pay back to humanity.

Cleaned up transcriptIn 20 years I will be 74. And I hope that at that point I will be compiling all the work I

have done. I hope, I would have done enough and I would be compiling all the work I have done.So later generations following generations could take advantage of what I have done

and they can take it from there.I would like to achieve it in two areas, one is mathematics and sciences. And the other

is English education.I had the great fortune of studying in the States for 20 years and both in terms of

science and in terms of English.I got the lot and I want to pay back to humanity.

76. If you were an animal, what animal would you like to be? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think I would like a dog. A dog is a fairly common animal. And ah, it may not be

exiting to be a dog. Ah, but that’s one of the reason why I want to be a dog.A dog’s life is carefree life and ah, you know, you do what comes to very naturally.

And yet ah, you are – you are a good creature because you are honest and straightforward and you know ah, you live everyday to the fullest.And ah, my life right now is like a pressure cooker. So for a change I would like to be

a dog and run around and bark you know as I said ah, I want to do what I feel like doing instinctively. Ah, that’s what I desire.

Cleaned up transcriptI think I would like a dog. A dog is a fairly common animal. And it may not be

exiting to be a dog. But that’s one of the reason why I want to be a dog.A dog’s life is carefree life and you do what comes to very naturally. And yet you are

a good creature because you are honest and straightforward and you live everyday to the fullest.And my life right now is like a pressure cooker. So for a change I would like to be a

dog and run around and bark as I said I want to do what I feel like doing instinctively. That’s what I desire.

77. When was the most difficult time in your life so far? How did you survive? What did you learn from it? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe most difficult time, ah, when I was about 44 and that’s when I had to decide

between becoming a mediocre scientist and becoming a good teacher.

Ah, I had been doing science, mathematics and sciences ah, you know, it was my career up to that point, but I wasn’t having a spectacular career.So even though, ah, the decision was difficult, ah, the answer was kind of obvious. I –

I knew that I should try to become a good teacher.So that’s how – how I survived that incident.And also I learned from that incident that there are many ways one can succeed. So

you should try – you should many options open.

Cleaned up transcriptThe most difficult time, when I was about 44 and that’s when I had to decide between

becoming a mediocre scientist and becoming a good teacher.I had been doing science, mathematics and sciences, it was my career up to that point,

but I wasn’t having a spectacular career.So even though the decision was difficult the answer was kind of obvious. I knew that

I should try to become a good teacher.So that’s how I survived that incident.

And also I learned from that incident that there are many ways one can succeed. So try many options open.

78. Describe something you have to do even though you do not want to do it. Explain why you have to do it. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, I do not want to give a failing grade you know to a student who is studied, tried

very hard in my class.Ah, but I have to do it because I grade on the curve, you know I use a normal curve

approximation. And also it is fair you know things are explained clearly, my grading policy is explained clearly at the very beginning of the semester.So to be fair to the other student who studied just as hard and did much better ah, I

have to sometimes I have to give a failing grade to a hard working student.But it hurts me when I have to do it because I am taking a chance you know by doing

so, ah, that student may stop working hard because it may be too discouraging

Cleaned up transcriptI do not want to give a failing grade to a student who is studied, tried very hard in my

class.

But I have to do it because I grade on the curve, I use a normal curve approximation. And also it is fair things are explained clearly, my grading policy is explained clearly at the very beginning of the semester.So to be fair to the other student who studied just as hard and did much better I have to

sometimes I have to give a failing grade to a hard working student.But it hurts me when I have to do it because I am taking a chance you know by doing

so that student may stop working hard because it may be too discouraging

79. What was the most challenging situation you have ever encountered? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe most challenging situation was the year – the extra year I had to so spend to study

for – for the college entrance exam.I failed it once and in Japan if you fail it once you have to wait for another year, ah,

while studying for the exam.It was very difficult because you know, you are bitterly disappointed and still you have

to, ah, pick up the pieces you know and ah, regain composure and get going again. That’s one reason.But that wasn’t the most difficult ah, thing. The most difficult thing was the

uncertainty.However hard you tried and however much you improve you know there is no

guarantee that you will pass the exam the following year. That was really difficult.

Cleaned up transcriptThe most challenging situation was the extra year I had to so spend to study for the

college entrance exam.I failed it once and in Japan if you fail it once you have to wait for another year while

studying for the exam.It was very difficult because you are bitterly disappointed and still you have to pick up

the pieces and regain composure and get going again. That’s one reason.But that wasn’t the most difficult thing. The most difficult thing was the uncertainty.However hard you tried and however much you improve there is no guarantee that you

will pass the exam the following year. That was really difficult.

80. Where would you like to go if you could go to any place you like? This includes the

outer space and imaginary places. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to visit my grandfather’s shrine, ah; my grandfather has been dead for

three decades, but ah, he loved me so much and ah, he spoiled me but at the same time he taught me many things that were useful later in my life they are still useful.And ah, that – the on the premise of that shrine is a small mountain and there is a path

– narrow path going through the mountain. And we walked together through the path and that’s when he told me – taught me many things.And I like to remember you know, I still cherish his memories and I like to remember

what he told me and ah, get enough inspiration to get going again.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to visit my grandfather’s shrine; my grandfather has been dead for three

decades, but he loved me so much and he spoiled me but at the same time he taught me many things that were useful later in my life they are still useful.And that on the premise of that shrine is a small mountain and there is a narrow path

going through the mountain. And we walked together through the path and that’s when he taught me many things.And I like to remember you know, I still cherish his memories and I like to remember

what he told me and get enough inspiration to get going again.

81. What are the qualities of a good student? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptA good student is student who works hard and respect the rules.Ah, a good student also takes full advantage of the educational environment and the

opportunities given to him.Ah, he – a good student is always aware of the fact that – that learning opportunity is

also important for others in the class and the good student tries to share that opportunity – learning opportunity by contributing to the class and ah, creating a great learning atmosphere, environmental for the class.So a good student helps the teacher greatly because he is like the second teacher in the

classroom.

Cleaned up transcriptA good student is student who works hard and respect the rules.A good student also takes full advantage of the educational environment and the

opportunities given to him.A good student is always aware of the fact that learning opportunity is also important

for others in the class and the good student tries to share that learning opportunity by contributing to the class and creating a great learning atmosphere, environmental for the class.So a good student helps the teacher greatly because he is like the second teacher in the

classroom.

82. What are the qualities of a good citizen? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptFirst and a foremost a good citizen is a person who abide by the laws and regulations.

That is the most important thing.And the good citizen makes an honest effort to – to improve either the country or the

local community knowing that it will be good for others and also it’s good for himself. It will come back to him.A citizen like that if this world is – citizens, is full of citizens like that there will be

much fewer crimes and there wouldn’t be ah, you know, that many intentional crimes.Ah, the only possibility is like accident caused by carelessness and this will be a

beautiful world.

Cleaned up transcriptFirst and a foremost a good citizen is a person who abide by the laws and regulations.

That is the most important thing.And the good citizen makes an honest effort to improve either the country or the local

community knowing that it will be good for others and also it’s good for himself. It will come back to him.A citizen like that if this world is full of citizens like that there will be much fewer

crimes and there wouldn’t be that many intentional crimes.The only possibility is like accident caused by carelessness and this will be a beautiful

world.

83. What kind of music do you like best? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptWhen I was younger I preferred rock music with some violent lyrics – lyrics but I no

longer like them. I prefer like, ah, classic without any words, the classic music piece without any words.Its – its because nowadays, ah, I don’t just sit and listen to a piece of music, but I use it

you know, I - I play in the background while I am reading or I am doing some other therefore if there are words it will be very distracting.And also if, ah, the music itself you know gets took much attention from me again it

distracts my attention from my job. So I like classic music now.

Cleaned up transcriptWhen I was younger I preferred rock music with some violent lyrics but I no longer

like them. I prefer like classic without any words, the classic music piece without any words.Its because nowadays, I don’t just sit and listen to a piece of music, but I play in the

background while I am reading or I am doing some other therefore if there are words it will be very distracting.And also if the music itself gets took much attention from me again it distracts my

attention from my job. So I like classic music now.

84. What is your ambition? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy ambition is to ah, to conduct sufficient research on human brain and to elucidate,

to find out the structure and functions of the human brain.Now, I often talk about learning enough about the human brains so I can help my

students learn English – but English better.But you know once this world becomes like almost monolingual in terms of the lingual

lingo franca which is English, ah, that kind of research may lose its importance.But if you actually understood the human brain itself you know the legacy of my work

will – will keep living on, ah, because it can be applied to many other things.

Cleaned up transcriptMy ambition is to conduct sufficient research on human brain and to elucidate, to find

out the structure and functions of the human brain.Now, I often talk about learning enough about the human brains so I can help my

students learn English better.But once this world becomes like almost monolingual in terms of the lingual lingo

franca which is English that kind of research may lose its importance.But if you actually understood the human brain itself you know the legacy of my work

will keep living on, ah, because it can be applied to many other things.

85. Who do you consider your positive role model? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, my role model is Professor Robertson ah, who is my – my advisor – academic

advisor, ah, who was my academic advisor at UC Berkeley.Ah, he is my role model because ah, first of all he is a great mathematician and ah, he

works hard and he is smart and his achievements, mathematical achievements are great. But ah, just as important is the fact that he is a great teacher and he has a very likeable

personality.Now sometimes a great scholar like him you know put on airs and ah, it maybe

difficult to talk to a guy like that but he is quite unassuming and very approachable.So ah, that’s why he is my role model. By the way I am not doing very well in my

copying effort.

Cleaned up transcriptMy role model is Professor Robertson who was my academic advisor at UC Berkeley.He is my role model because first of all he is a great mathematician and he works hard

and he is smart and his achievements, mathematical achievements are great. But just as important is the fact that he is a great teacher and he has a very likeable

personality.Now sometimes a great scholar like him put on airs and it maybe difficult to talk to a

guy like that but he is quite unassuming and very approachable.So that’s why he is my role model. By the way I am not doing very well in my

copying effort.

86. What kind of holiday resort would satisfy you most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, I would like to visit a resort that is physically relaxing, ah, and as well as exciting

and ah, intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. So that resort should have a nice spa and it should be surrounded by plenty of nature

and its – it should be located in the quite area.Also it should have ah, nice library and a complete access – fast access to the internet. And – and also it should have a training facilities that would be my physical and

mental vacation.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to visit a resort that is physically relaxing and as well as exciting and

intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. So that resort should have a nice spa and it should be surrounded by plenty of nature

and it should be located in the quite area.Also it should have ah, nice library and a complete fast access to the internet. And also it should have a training facilities that would be my physical and mental

vacation.

87. What do you expect in your parents? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptNeedless to say in the first part of my life I want my parents to support me, ah, both

mentally and financially.And also I want my parents to be a good teacher. That’s like say through college

maybe that would be the case.But once I become independent you know the role of my parents play becomes like

that of an advisor. And ah, so I want my parents to be standing by the side line and sort of cheering for me.And much later in life, ah, they can even be my advisor. So I expect them to be just a

cheerleaders, giving me a plenty of moral support.But that is very important because however old you get, you know, your parents are

very special.

So they are great cheerleaders for me.

Cleaned up transcriptNeedless to say in the first part of my life I want my parents to support me, both

mentally and financially.And also I want my parents to be a good teacher. That’s like say through college

maybe that would be the case.But once I become independent the role of my parents play becomes like that of an

advisor. And so I want my parents to be standing by the side line and sort of cheering for me.And much later in life, they can even be my advisor. So I expect them to be just a

cheerleaders, giving me a plenty of moral support.But that is very important because however old you get your parents are very special.So they are great cheerleaders for me.

88. If you can change one thing in your university, what would you change? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to change our instructions and improve it. When I say improve the

instructions I – I ah, wanted to happen ah, you know both in terms of the, ah, the faculty and ah, on the students side as well.Ah, Kyoto University faculty as good – they are good researchers but their – they

don’t take teaching very seriously. And their instructions you know their teaching leaves a lot be desired.On the other hand students don’t take classes very seriously. They work so hard to get

into Kyoto University but once you are there in, ah, they stop working hard.So I want to change their attitude and ah, keep them from wasting this great human

and otherwise resources we have.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to change our instructions and improve it. When I say improve the

instructions, I wanted to happen both in terms of the faculty and on the students side as well.Kyoto University faculty, they are good researchers but they don’t take teaching very

seriously. And their instructions their teaching leaves a lot be desired.

On the other hand students don’t take classes very seriously. They work so hard to get into Kyoto University but once you are there in, ah, they stop working hard.So I want to change their attitude and keep them from wasting this great human and

otherwise resources we have.

89. Describe a person who was exceptionally kind to you. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThere was this old professor I met at the City College of New York. Ah, and he was

exceptionally kind to me.Ah, as follows, ah, I took his class and I did very well, I was obviously – clearly I was

the top student and ah, it’s natural that he liked me on that account.But I think being an immigrant himself, ah; he understood the difficulties I was facing

as an international student.And also ah, he started his career quite late and I was also an - ah, I was an old student

and he, ah, he in the good way he sympathized with me and he took a pity on me.So he took me under his wings and he gave me reading classes and he wrote nice

letters of recommendation. And he did all those things just for me.

Cleaned up transcriptThere was this old professor I met at the City College of New York. And he was

exceptionally kind to me.As follows, I took his class and I did very well, clearly I was the top student and it’s

natural that he liked me on that account.But I think being an immigrant himself, he understood the difficulties I was facing as

an international student.And also he started his career quite late and I was an old student and he in the good

way he sympathized with me and he took a pity on me.So he took me under his wings and he gave me reading classes and he wrote nice

letters of recommendation. And he did all those things just for me.

90. Describe the person you like best. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

Ah, the person I like best that’s an easy choice, it should be my mother. Ah, you know I started my life being physically connected to her, I mean by an umbilical cord. And I still feel that we are even physically connected.You see the difference between your – my mother and other people who are nice to me

or who can give advice to me is that, ah, you know with other people they are there and ah, I am here and ah, you know there is clear ah, separation between us.But that’s not the case with my mother. Ah, there is no bother between us and a

sometimes I feel like you know she is living inside me and I am part of her.So she is that kind of a special person for me.

Cleaned up transcriptThe person I like best that’s an easy choice, it should be my mother. I started my life

being physically connected to her, I mean by an umbilical cord. And I still feel that we are even physically connected.You see the difference between my mother and other people who are nice to me or

who can give advice to me is that, with other people they are there and I am here and there is clear separation between us.But that’s not the case with my mother. There is no bother between us and a

sometimes I feel like she is living inside me and I am part of her.So she is that kind of a special person for me.

91. What is your favorite day of the year? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIt is not just one day but ah, it is the days I spend, ah, in Berkeley, California. I have a

chance to visit that city about three times a year and ah; my summer visit is the longest and I like it best.Ah, first of all I fell in love with the city long ago and I am still in love with the city

therefore just being there is exciting. And also ah, when I visit there in summer ah, you know the – the air is very crisp and cool and so nice it’s not sticky and humid like where I am now.Ah, and in addition while I am there ah, I have all the time to myself and I can get my

research done and get some reading done and have a nice dinner, it’s a great ah, few days I spend in Berkeley.

Cleaned up transcriptIt is not just one day but it is the days I spend, in Berkeley, California. I have a chance

to visit that city about three times a year and my summer visit is the longest and I like it best.First of all I fell in love with the city long ago and I am still in love with the city

therefore just being there is exciting. And also when I visit there in summer the air is very crisp and cool and so nice it’s not sticky and humid like where I am now.And in addition while I am there I have all the time to myself and I can get my

research done and get some reading done and have a nice dinner, it’s a great few days I spend in Berkeley.

92. Describe your unforgettable day. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIt was a day when my grandfather – my paternal grandfather died. Ah, he loved me so

much and I – we were so close to each other so when he – he developed cancer and ah, you know when he was dying, I was very afraid that ah, I would be so sad, I wouldn’t be even able to operate, ah, when he dies.But somehow ah, when he died as sad as I was, I felt that ah, he was still with me and

ah, living inside me.And ah, I it was a very strange feeling but by dying on my birthday he gave me a

determination to do my best following his teaching ah, for the rest of my life.

Cleaned up transcriptIt was a day when my paternal grandfather died. He loved me so much and we were

so close to each other so when he developed cancer and when he was dying, I was very afraid that I would be so sad, I wouldn’t be even able to operate when he dies.But somehow when he died as sad as I was, I felt that he was still with me and living

inside me.And it was a very strange feeling but by dying on my birthday he gave me a

determination to do my best following his teaching for the rest of my life.

93. Who do you remember best among the classmates you have had? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

I remember Mr. Hirose [ph] best. We were classmates in the first year of, ah, senior high school.He was on the track and field team and I was on the baseball team. So our paths didn’t

cross that much on daily basis and ah, you know, but at little as our contact time was, ah, I – we got along so well each other.And ah, like during the summer vacation we would campaigning together and in

winter we would climb like snowy mountains.Ah, I – that’s what we both liked. So – and we still keep in touch with each other and I

meet him like three times a year. There and they are the some of the most exciting events on my calendar.

Cleaned up transcriptI remember Mr. Hirose [ph] best. We were classmates in the first year of senior high

school.He was on the track and field team and I was on the baseball team. So our paths didn’t

cross that much on daily basis and but at little as our contact time was we got along so well each other.And like during the summer vacation we would campaigning together and in winter

we would climb like snowy mountains.That’s what we both liked. And we still keep in touch with each other and I meet him

like three times a year. There and they are the some of the most exciting events on my calendar.

94. What movie gave you a lasting impression? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI actually don’t like movies so, I have to go – I don’t watch them often and I have to

go all the way back to my childhood when I watched on TV, it was ah, Seven Samurai and that was ah, you know, it did give me a lasting impression because the main character was very wild and weird.Ah, but he has a very strong personality and he dominated the entire movie. And ah,

later I learnt that he was one of the leading ah, actors in Japan. And ah, but even without knowing how famous he was, you know, his acting was so good even as a child I was able to tell it was good with knowing much about him.

Cleaned up transcriptI actually don’t like movies so, I don’t watch them often and I have to go all the way

back to my childhood when I watched on TV, it was Seven Samurai and that it did give me a lasting impression because the main character was very wild and weird.But he has a very strong personality and he dominated the entire movie. And later I

learnt that he was one of the leading actors in Japan. And but even without knowing how famous he was, his acting was so good even as a child I was able to tell it was good with knowing much about him.

95. Where do you go for relaxation? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI visit Kamagawa river for relaxation. Ah, it’s like 10 minutes away from my office.

And while I am strolling you know along the river ah, I don’t meet that many people.And ah, instead I meet birds and fishes and sometimes turtles and it’s very relaxing, I

can enjoy the nature there ah. I see many big white birds flying slowly over the river and the pace is you know, quite slow, the time flows very slowly along the river.So it seems anyways and ah, I can enjoy that change of pace.You know it’s ah, nice way to get way from my hectic daily schedule except that my

schedule doesn’t allow me to visits there often.

Cleaned up transcriptI visit Kamagawa river for relaxation. It’s like 10 minutes away from my office. And

while I am strolling along the river I don’t meet that many people.And instead I meet birds and fishes and sometimes turtles and it’s very relaxing, I can

enjoy the nature there. I see many big white birds flying slowly over the river and the pace is quite slow, the time flows very slowly along the river.So it seems anyways and I can enjoy that change of pace.It’s nice way to get way from my hectic daily schedule except that my schedule

doesn’t allow me to visits there often.

96. Describe the most unforgettable accident you have ever experienced or seen? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI – I indirectly I saw this most unforgettable accident in my life indirectly. Ah, I was a

few years ago I was hospitalized and ah, I was recovering you know it was too boring to stay in bed all day.So ah, it was late at night but I got out of my room, my bed and ah, walked around.

And when I was passing by the emergency room I saw two ladies and a nurse standing there and those two ladies were, ah, sobbing out of control.Ah, later I heard that ah, someone died in the traffic accident that evening. And I

gathered perhaps the nurse was telling the mother and the sister, the sister that their brother, their son just died.

Cleaned up transcriptI indirectly I saw this most unforgettable accident in my life indirectly. I was a few

years ago I was hospitalized and I was recovering, it was too boring to stay in bed all day.So it was late at night but I got out of my room, my bed and walked around. And

when I was passing by the emergency room I saw two ladies and a nurse standing there and those two ladies were sobbing out of control.Later I heard that someone died in the traffic accident that evening. And I gathered

perhaps the nurse was telling the mother and the sister, the sister that their brother, their son just died.

97. What fairy tale had the most impact on you? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIt is a tale of an oak tree and ah, and the reed, reed plant. Ah, after big storm the oak

tree fell down but, ah, reed survived that big storm.And it was because ah, seemingly week reed was actually more flexible and it was a

better, ah, it was better at surviving a big storm.And seemingly strong oak tree, ah, was not as strong. So this told me that appearance

is only one part of, ah, you know peoples trait and also it’s important to flexible and sometimes to go with the flow if you want to survive and you want to do well.And this lesson helped in life later.

Cleaned up transcriptIt is a tale of an oak tree and the reed plant. After big storm the oak tree fell down but

reed survived that big storm.

And it was because seemingly week reed was actually more flexible and it was better at surviving a big storm.And seemingly strong oak tree was not as strong. So this told me that appearance is

only one part of peoples trait and also it’s important to flexible and sometimes to go with the flow if you want to survive and you want to do well.And this lesson helped in life later.

98. Curiosity sometimes overcomes other basic human desires such as appetite or sex drive. Explain when this happens to you. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI can relate to this very easily because I get really excited when I see a rare insect or a

big fish.And ah, you know when that happens to me of course its easy for me to forget about

my lunch or dinner but also ah, I don’t even pay much attention to ah, my girlfriend like you know, we may be walking – walking together and you know if I – I find, ah, rare insect I would spend like 10-15 minutes just watching the infect – the insect.So ah, yes its true that, ah, when you encounter something you really like you curiosity

is stronger than anything else.

Cleaned up transcriptI can relate to this very easily because I get really excited when I see a rare insect or a

big fish.And when that happens to me of course it’s easy for me to forget about my lunch or

dinner but also I don’t even pay much attention to my girlfriend – like we may be walking together and if I find, rare insect I would spend like 10-15 minutes just watching the insect.So yes its true that when you encounter something you really like you curiosity is

stronger than anything else.

99. What good book have you read? Why do you think it is a good book? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI read the book about brain and language. Ah, in particular it was a book about, ah,

what kind of, ah, brain diseases is cause what kind of linguistic problems.And it was a good book because it explains that, ah, different modes [ph] like listening

speaking reading and writing they all require, ah, they are used different parts of the brain and different functions of the brain.And ah, there was a clear demonstration that integrative approach to learning English

is the most important, ah, is an important thing to keep in mind.So a, it was a approaching language teaching from brain science and it was very

valuable.

Cleaned up transcriptI read the book about brain and language. In particular it was a book about, what kind

of, brain diseases is cause what kind of linguistic problems.And it was a good book because it explains that different modes [ph] like listening

speaking reading and writing they all require they are used different parts of the brain and different functions of the brain.And there was a clear demonstration that integrative approach to learning English is

the most important is an important thing to keep in mind.So it was a approaching language teaching from brain science and it was very

valuable.

100. What kind of superhuman ability would you like to acquire? How would you use it? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to acquire an ability to live for ever without aging mentally or physically.

What it means that, ah, it means is that I would keep you know, ah, my mental and physical abilities and capacities, ah, as they are.And so what it means is that, ah, the longer I live the more I can achieve and the better

I get as a scientist.My big frustration is that, ah, a genius scientist you know, beat me handily, beat this

hard working scientist very handily and ah, one way to counter it, is you know to live forever. And ah, to catch up with them and surpass them eventually by living long.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to acquire an ability to live for ever without aging mentally or physically.

What it means is that I would keep my mental and physical abilities and capacities as

they are.And so what it means is that the longer I live the more I can achieve and the better I

get as a scientist.My big frustration is that a genius scientist beat me handily, beat this hard working

scientist very handily and one way to counter it, is to live forever. And to catch up with them and surpass them eventually by living long.

101. Describe a dream you want to realize in the next ten years and explain what you plan to do to make it happen. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIn ten years time ah, I wish I could come up with – I will be able to describe the

proficiency profile of Kyoto University students in terms of their English skills.What I mean by that is ah, what they are already good at describing, what they are

already good at and what ah, what kind of skills they still have to develop.Ah since I studied teaching only like to years ago ah, it will take a while before I have

enough data. So I have to keep teaching a lot of classes and accumulate enough data. And in ten years time I hope that ah, I will – I can begin to ah, analyze my data.And if I can leave that proficiency profile data for Kyoto University students it will be

a great contribution for all the other teachers.

Cleaned up transcriptIn ten years time I wish I will be able to describe the proficiency profile of Kyoto

University students in terms of their English skills.What I mean by that is, what they are already good at describing, what they are already

good at and what kind of skills they still have to develop.Since I studied teaching only like to years ago it will take a while before I have enough

data. So I have to keep teaching a lot of classes and accumulate enough data. And in ten years time I hope that I can begin to analyze my data.And if I can leave that proficiency profile data for Kyoto University students it will be

a great contribution for all the other teachers.

102. What is the coolest thing you have ever said or heard? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think the coolest thing I, ah, I have every heard was, ah, was this. ‘Tomorrow begins

today’.Ah, I think it is, ah, cool and important because ah, first – first ah, it tells you the

importance of you know planning ahead and ah, always you know be try to ah, look ahead and try to work expecting ah, what it will lead you to.And another thing is ah, it – its – it tells you the importance of ah, you know of

working hard and not stopping, because if you don’t work today there will be no tomorrow.So in those two senses I think it is cool and useful.

Cleaned up transcriptI think the coolest thing I have every heard was this, ‘Tomorrow begins today’.I think it is cool and important because first, it tells you the importance of planning

ahead and always be try to look ahead and try to work expecting what it will lead you to.And another thing is it tells you the importance of working hard and not stopping,

because if you don’t work today there will be no tomorrow.So in those two senses I think it is cool and useful.

103. What made you choose the major in college? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIn college and also in graduate school I chose four majors, ah, in sequence. First since

I was very interested in insects and fish I choose biology.But then ah, I have told been told that – I was told that ah, chemistry was quite

important to really understand biological systems. So I went into chemistry.Then someone said ah, you should study physics to get the solid foundation. Ah, you

know for theoretical, ah, for the theoretical aspect of chemistry so I went into physics.Then one professor one day said, ah, while you are young you should study pure math

because it will prepare you well ah, for your later career.So I went onto mathematics. So ah, I wandered around in no sense but you know I

always had a clear purpose.

Cleaned up transcript

In college and also in graduate school I chose four majors, in sequence. First since I was very interested in insects and fish I choose biology.But then I have told been told that chemistry was quite important to really understand

biological systems. So I went into chemistry.Then someone said you should study physics to get the solid foundation, for

theoretical aspect of chemistry so I went into physics.Then one professor one day said, while you are young you should study pure math

because it will prepare you well for your later career.So I went onto mathematics. So I wandered around in no sense but I always had a

clear purpose.

104. What dream was the scariest in life? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe scariest dream I have had was dream in which I was teaching and my students

weren’t responding whatsoever.Ah, you know, since I am a disciplinarian and I am ah, I am pretty rigorous and strict,

students typically respond to me when I ask a question, because they know ah, I would get upset and ah, try to – if possible discipline them so to speak.Ah, but in that dream they weren’t talking to me at all and I – I thought about you

know the silent resistance Gandhi made famous. And ah, since I believe in my strict teaching, it was very scary.

Cleaned up transcriptThe scariest dream I have had was dream in which I was teaching and my students

weren’t responding whatsoever.Since I am a disciplinarian and I am pretty rigorous and strict, students typically

respond to me when I ask a question, because they know I would get upset and try to if possible discipline them so to speak.But in that dream they weren’t talking to me at all and I thought about the silent

resistance Gandhi made famous. And since I believe in my strict teaching, it was very scary.

105. Describe a person you admire and explain why you admire him or her. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI admire – I admire my grandfather. Ah he was studying physics in college and he

wanted to become a physicist.But when his father needed help ah, he abandoned his dream and became a Shinto

priest and helped – helped out his father.Now while a being a Shinto priest was not really the thing he wanted to do, ah, he

worked very hard and he did a very good job of being a Shinto priest.Ah, he was not just a trusted – well trusted as a Shinto priest, but people in the village

would come to him for various pieces of advice.

Cleaned up transcriptI admire my grandfather. He was studying physics in college and he wanted to

become a physicist.But when his father needed help, he abandoned his dream and became a Shinto priest

and helped out his father.Now while a being a Shinto priest was not really the thing he wanted to do he worked

very hard and he did a very good job of being a Shinto priest.He was not just a well trusted as a Shinto priest, but people in the village would come

to him for various pieces of advice.

106. What are you doing or do you like to start doing to slow down global warming? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to do two things, ah, to slow down global warming.Ah, one thing is, ah, my individual effort, in the other words, ah, by recycling and by

trying to reduce you know the amount of trash I put out to begin with ah, I would like to contribute to controlling global warming.The second thing I want to do is, ah, is to teach. I would like to – through teaching I

would like to instill in my students ah, you know, the spirit of ah, being ah environment friendly.And ah, by ah, I like to ask my students to join you know join me in the effort to

control global warming.

Cleaned up transcript

I would like to do two things to slow down global warming.One thing is, my individual effort, in the other words, by recycling and by trying to

reduce the amount of trash I put out to begin with, I would like to contribute to controlling global warming.The second thing I want to do is to teach. I would like to through teaching I would

like to instill in my students the spirit of being environment friendly.And I like to ask my students to join me in the effort to control global warming.

107. If you had to become a doctor, what specialty would you choose? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI want to study the human brain but if possible I don’t want to be brain surgeon

because I think it requires, ah, you know you have to be quite skillful and I am clumsy. So I don’t think I should do that.What I really want to do is to conduct research you know, ah, I want to conduct a

patient near [ph] research on brain malfunction and also normal functions of the brain because ah, there is a connection between that and my interest in, ah, biological systems in general and also ah, my desire it’s related to my desire to ah, study the language center and in the human brain. That’s what I want to do.

Cleaned up transcriptI want to study the human brain but if possible I don’t want to be brain surgeon

because I think it requires – you have to be quite skillful and I am clumsy. So I don’t think I should do that.What I really want to do is to conduct research I want to conduct a patient near [ph]

research on brain malfunction and also normal functions of the brain because there is a connection between that and my interest in biological systems in general and also my desire it’s related to my desire to study the language center and in the human brain. That’s what I want to do.

108. What food do you find is most delicious? What is the appeal? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI now like fruits and vegetables best, ah, and some fish perhaps. When I was much

younger I preferred beef and ah, you know other – like generally speaking I preferred red meat.Ah, but now I think ah, I have aged and my body requires something that's - that's

easier on the digestive system and on my – on my body in general.So I like fruits and vegetables and I like subtle taste and you know subtle flavors of

like cucumber ah, and I also enjoy the strong flavor of broccoli. And I like oranges and apples you all sorts of fruits.And I think that maybe a key to a long life. So ah, I like the way I prefer those. I like

the fact that I prefer those things.

Cleaned up transcriptI now like fruits and vegetables best and some fish perhaps. When I was much

younger I preferred beef and other – like generally speaking I preferred red meat.But now I think I have aged and my body requires something that's easier on the

digestive system and on my body in general.So I like fruits and vegetables and I like subtle taste and you know subtle flavors of

like cucumber and I also enjoy the strong flavor of broccoli. And I like oranges and apples you all sorts of fruits.And I think that maybe a key to a long life. So ah, I like the way I prefer those. I like

the fact that I prefer those things.

109. Pick a historical figure you respect and explain why. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI respect John Manjiro most. Ah, he was a fisherman like 300 years ago, he was a

fisherman in a small village – fishing village in Japan.And he was ship wrecked and he was picked by whaling fish [ph] ah, an American

whaling fish.Of course ah, he at that point he had no education, he didn’t know English. But ah,

somehow he managed to pick you know ah, enough English enough language skills.And ah, he later even successfully graduated from college in the United States.And he came back to Japan and made great contributions as a professor at Tokyo

University because of his efforts and his ability to over come those hardships I respect him.

Cleaned up transcriptI respect John Manjiro most. He was a fisherman like 300 years ago, he was a

fisherman in a small fishing village in Japan.And he was ship wrecked and he was picked by an American whaling fish [ph].Of course he at that point he had no education, he didn’t know English. But somehow

he managed to pick enough English enough language skills.And he later even successfully graduated from college in the United States.And he came back to Japan and made great contributions as a professor at Tokyo

University because of his efforts and his ability to over come those hardships I respect him.

110. Describe what you do that is good or bad for your health. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI walk a lot everyday; I take about 22,000 steps everyday. And that I think is very

good for my health.Ah, it’s easy on my knees since I injured ah, my knee – my right knee when young –

when I was young so ah, in that sense also it's a good ah, – it's a good exercise – good way to exercise.On the other hand I also do something that's potentially bad for my health and that's

not getting enough sleep. I get like five hours everyday and doctors say one should get ah, you know - one should get like eight hours everyday.Ah, and also my father told me that ah, he is so old and he can't sleep anymore and I

should enjoy sleeping while I am young.

Cleaned up transcriptI walk a lot everyday; I take about 22,000 steps everyday. And that I think is very

good for my health.It’s easy on my knees since I injured my right knee when I was young so in that sense

also it's a good way to exercise.On the other hand I also do something that's potentially bad for my health and that's

not getting enough sleep. I get like five hours everyday and doctors say one should get like eight hours everyday.And also my father told me that ah, he is so old and he can't sleep anymore and I

should enjoy sleeping while I am young.

111. In your opinion, what event you know is the best to entertain the general public? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think something like a carnival, ah, where there is a parade and there are rides and

shows different shows would be the best because if it’s a sporting event or ah, theater production something like that you know you only entertain, ah, you know just one segment of – of the population the general public who are interested in those things.But if this a carnival it’s like an omnibus of ah, you know entertainment different

things people can enjoy.And ah, in some carnivals you even have like a little amusement park ride. So ah and

because of that diversity ah, and the potential to entertain many people I think a carnival would be a good choice.

Cleaned up transcriptI think something like a carnival, where there is a parade and there are rides and shows

different shows would be the best because if it’s a sporting event or theater production something like that you only entertain just one segment of the population the general public who are interested in those things.But if this a carnival it’s like an omnibus of entertainment different things people can

enjoy.And in some carnivals you even have like a little amusement park ride. So and

because of that diversity and the potential to entertain many people I think a carnival would be a good choice.

112. What big city do you like best? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like – I like San Francisco and Osaka, Japan. Osaka is my hometown and ah, I lived

near San Francisco for 10 years. So I am very familiar with both cities.Both cities have a – they both boast rich tradition. But still ah, there are a lot of young

people there – and ah, both cities you know their culture is such that people there are not afraid to break the tradition.So they are original, creative and the atmosphere is quite vibrant and energetic and

also population wise, ethnically and otherwise they are quite diverse.So because of this mixture of tradition and new culture I like San Francisco and Osaka.

Cleaned up transcriptI like San Francisco and Osaka, Japan. Osaka is my hometown and I lived near San

Francisco for 10 years. So I am very familiar with both cities.Both cities boast rich tradition. But still ah, there are a lot of young people and both

cities their culture is such that people there are not afraid to break the tradition.So they are original, creative and the atmosphere is quite vibrant and energetic and

also population wise, ethnically and otherwise they are quite diverse.So because of this mixture of tradition and new culture I like San Francisco and Osaka.

113. Who is the most inspiring person to you? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptOn of the most inspiring person to me is actually my father, he is 81 years old, but he

is both physically and mentally quite active.Ah, he gets up early everyday and he exercises a bit and then ah, he was a, ah, teacher,

his specialty was classical Japanese and he keeps studying, you know, classical Japanese literature.So in the morning and in the afternoon, ah, something like three hours each everyday

he studies classical literature and Japanese literature.And he also is physically quite active. He is good at gardening and he like mountain

climbing and his appetite is still quite good. And I admire him so much for those reasons.

Cleaned up transcriptOn of the most inspiring person to me is actually my father, he is 81 years old, but he is both physically and mentally quite active.He gets up early everyday and he exercises a bit and then he was a teacher, his specialty was classical Japanese and he keeps studying, classical Japanese literature.So in the morning and in the afternoon something like three hours each everyday he studies classical literature and Japanese literature.And he also is physically quite active. He is good at gardening and he like mountain climbing and his appetite is still quite good. And I admire him so much for those

reasons.

114. If you can change one physical characteristic of your body, what would it be and why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptIf I can change ah, my physical characteristics I would like it be taller.My height is one – one physical characteristic I would like to change, because being

taller means being larger also. You know more height and more weight and you are bigger and if you are bigger you are physically stronger and being a man you feel good about yourself.I think, it affects your mental aspect as well if you are bigger and taller you will be

more confident I think.That’s one thing and ah, also it’s more convenient you know it’s not just limited to

when you change the light bulb but also say on crowded train ah, it feels good you know if you are taller and you are looking down literally looking down on other people and you will breathe easier too on the crowded train.

Cleaned up transcriptIf I can change my physical characteristics I would like it be taller.My height is one physical characteristic I would like to change, because being taller

means being larger also. More height and more weight and you are bigger and if you are bigger you are physically stronger and being a man you feel good about yourself.I think, it affects your mental aspect as well if you are bigger and taller you will be

more confident I think.That’s one thing and also it’s more convenient it’s not just limited to when you change

the light bulb but also say on crowded train it feels good if you are taller and you are looking down literally looking down on other people and you will breathe easier too on the crowded train.

115. Choose a TV personality you admire and explain why you admire that person. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptGenerally speaking I admire news anchors, ah, because they have to possess diverse

skills.

First off, they have to of course, speak well and clearly they have to be able to articulate.But also they have to have a broad knowledge base because you know a news program

– and they deal with, ah, a wide variety of issues.And they have to be quick minded because often times you know there is a – ah,

something happens suddenly and they have to report on it.So they need intelligence, they need mental agility, they have the ability to speak

clearly and they have to have a broad knowledge base so they are like a super beings.

Cleaned up transcriptGenerally speaking I admire news anchors because they have to possess diverse skills.First off, they have to of course, speak well and clearly they have to be able to

articulate.But also they have to have a broad knowledge base because news program deal with a

wide variety of issues.And they have to be quick minded because often times something happens suddenly

and they have to report on it.So they need intelligence, they need mental agility, they have the ability to speak

clearly and they have to have a broad knowledge base so they are like a super beings.

116. What insect do you like best or dislike most? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like dragonflies best ah, and especially I like – I like those big dragon files you know

that – that feeds on – prey on smaller insects like mosquitoes.I like dragon flies because you know those big dragon files look strong, they almost

look like a fighter jet plane and they move fast though the sky and ah, they project the image of you know freedom, and I like it very much.And also like flying over everything and looking down on you know on things in this

society makes you feel like you are a sublime being or something. I wish could become a dragon fly in my next incarnation.

Cleaned up transcriptI like dragonflies best and especially I like those big dragon files that prey on smaller

insects like mosquitoes.

I like dragon flies because those big dragon files look strong, they almost look like a fighter jet plane and they move fast though the sky and ah, they project the image of freedom, and I like it very much.And also like flying over everything and looking down on things in this society makes

you feel like you are a sublime being or something. I wish could become a dragon fly in my next incarnation.

117. What change would you like the government to make? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like the government to you know to overhaul the current educational system

and the society in general.First off, government officials I can’t say they are leading an honest – you know

honest life.And I want them to change that first and then, ah, change the moral and ethical you

know ethics education of the nation.So ah, and change the society and the education at the same time. So people are

educated to lead a honest and moral life and the society should be changed so that it actually pays to be honest and to be a good citizen. That’s the thing I want the government to do.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like the government to overhaul the current educational system and the society

in general.First off, government officials I can’t say they are leading an honest life.And I want them to change that first and then change the moral and ethics education of

the nation.So and change the society and the education at the same time. So people are educated

to lead a honest and moral life and the society should be changed so that it actually pays to be honest and to be a good citizen. That’s the thing I want the government to do.

118. What event did you enjoy most as a child? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

Ah I liked ah, what they called sports day and that’s a day when, ah, whole day you know they – they held ah, various athletic competitions, one event after another.And I liked that they very much because ah, when I was in grade school, I was very

fast, I could very fast and I could win many of the races, you know, I – I entered you know 50 meters race dash, 100 meter race dash, relays and things like that.And ah, I was academically quite strong also, so that – there was a good chance for me

to prove my friends that ah, I wasn’t, you know, just good at studying but I was also athletically talented.

Cleaned up transcriptI liked what they called sports day and that’s a day when whole day they held ah,

various athletic competitions, one event after another.And I liked that they very much because when I was in grade school, I was very fast, I

could very fast and I could win many of the races, I entered you know 50 meters race dash, 100 meter race dash, relays and things like that.And I was academically quite strong also, so there was a good chance for me to prove

my friends that I wasn’t just good at studying but I was also athletically talented.

119. What change would you like to make to this world? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to make this world a place where, ah, honesty sincerity and diligence are

valued and well rewarded, ah, because currently it almost seems as though being honest is you know, is a stupid thing to do, if you want to beat other and ah, you know, make money and be a winner in this society.But I don’t like the current state affairs and I want, ah, I want people to appreciate you

know the value of honesty.And I want honest people and those who makes sincere efforts, ah, to be valued more

and respected more. Ah, that would be my ideal society.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to make this world a place where honesty sincerity and diligence are

valued and well rewarded because currently it almost seems as though being honest is a stupid thing to do, if you want to beat other and make money and be a winner in this society.

But I don’t like the current state affairs and I want I want people to appreciate the value of honesty.And I want honest people and those who makes sincere efforts to be valued more and

respected more. That would be my ideal society.

120. Describe your room or your house. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI live in university owned residential unit. It – it’s basically an apartment.Ah, it has ah, two rooms and one dining – kitchen and ah, a bath and a toilet. The

toilet and the bath are separate that’s – that’s different from the western style.And ah, so I use one of the rooms as my bedroom and the other is right now used for

storage.And since I don’t really cook that much the kitchen is being wasted, but currently I am

using the kitchen as my, ah, training room.

Cleaned up transcriptI live in university owned residential unit. It’s basically an apartment.It has two rooms and one dining – kitchen and a bath and a toilet. The toilet and the

bath are separate that’s different from the western style.And so I use one of the rooms as my bedroom and the other is right now used for

storage.And since I don’t really cook that much the kitchen is being wasted, but currently I am

using the kitchen as my training room.

121. What is your reason for studying English? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI study English for too many reasons.The first reason is that I am in – I am in pure science and then in sciences ah, 95% of

the papers I have to read are English and ah, 99% of the important papers are English. So I need it for my research, I need English skills for my research.And the second reason is that I – on the job – I need to talk to international students

you know and provide them guidance, ah, and I also teach English to Japanese students.

So ah, I need you know good communicative English skills for – for those jobs and ah, I want to be a good role model in terms of English for the Japanese students.

Cleaned up transcriptI study English for too many reasons.The first reason is that I am in pure science and then in sciences ah, 95% of the papers

I have to read are English and 99% of the important papers are English. So I need it for my research, I need English skills for my research.And the second reason is that on the job I need to talk to international students you

know and provide them guidance and I also teach English to Japanese students.So I need good communicative English skills for those jobs and I want to be a good

role model in terms of English for the Japanese students.

122. What do you think you should do to improve your proficiency in English? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, I think my English at this point, you know, my proficiency level is quite high, like

I have a perfect score on TOEFL IBT.But ah, I think of the four skills reading, writing, speaking, listening I think should

improve my listening – listening comprehension ah, a bit more and after I do that ah, I also want to improve my ah, skills at a casual conversation.It’s not just the you know the language – just the language skill but ah, I am not good

at casual conversation.And then ah, finally I would like to fine tune my English ability by ah, by learning you

know about articles and ah, a little more so I can – I can use proper articles and proper prepositions.

Cleaned up transcriptI think my English at this point my proficiency level is quite high, like I have a perfect

score on TOEFL IBT.But I think of the four skills reading, writing, speaking, listening I think should

improve my listening comprehension a bit more and after I do that I also want to improve my skills at a casual conversation.It’s not just the language skill but I am not good at casual conversation.And then finally I would like to fine tune my English ability by learning about articles

and a little more so I can use proper articles and proper prepositions.

123. Describe your favorite place on campus. Why is it your favorite? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, my favorite place on campus is the north campus area, that’s where the department

of pure science is. And I graduated with the degree from that department. So I feel very comfortable whenever I visit there, ah, it’s like a home coming for me.And ah, people there are like students in pure science and also ah, scholars you know,

in our sciences chemistry, physics, mathematics and so on.And ah, they are like my kind you know. So I feel comfortable and I feel that I can fit

right in. I teach there once a week and whenever I go there you know to teach ah, I feel very comfortable and very happy. So that’s my favorite place.

Cleaned up transcriptMy favorite place on campus is the north campus area, that’s where the department of

pure science is. And I graduated with the degree from that department. So I feel very comfortable whenever I visit there, it’s like a home coming for me.And people there are like students in pure science and also scholars in our sciences

chemistry, physics, mathematics and so on.And they are like my kind. So I feel comfortable and I feel that I can fit right in. I

teach there once a week and whenever I go there you know to teach I feel very comfortable and very happy. So that’s my favorite place.

124. How would you like to die? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptNaturally, I prefer a peaceful death but what I am more concerned about is how I

spend my time leading to my death.And what I would like to do it I would like to keep you know working hard and

conducting my research and teaching and ah, helping people and improving myself you know until the very end.And ah, what I like to do is, so to speak, to run through the goal line as opposed to you

know slowing down near the goal line.So ah, if I can do that and I can keep moving you know ah, quite fast and keep living

in so to speak in the fast lane ah, until I die.And eventually when I die if it’s a peaceful death that’s perfect.

Cleaned up transcriptNaturally, I prefer a peaceful death but what I am more concerned about is how I

spend my time leading to my death.And what I would like to do it I would like to keep working hard and conducting my

research and teaching and helping people and improving myself until the very end.And what I like to do is, so to speak, to run through the goal line as opposed to slowing

down near the goal line.So if I can do that and I can keep moving quite fast and keep living in so to speak in

the fast lane until I die.And eventually when I die if it’s a peaceful death that’s perfect.

125. What animal you know is most like you? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think dogs are most like me, because they are honest and ah, they are straightforward

and they seem sincere and faithful and they show their emotions very openly and clearly, it’s easy to tell when they are happy and also when they are sad or in pain.Ah, I am a lot like that its easy to read my mind, so my friends say. So I am like a dog

on that account.Also dogs are make their best effort you know when they are running toward food or

when they are chasing after something in play and ah, that’s what I do too. I go all out all the time and then honest and straightforward, I am like a dog.

Cleaned up transcriptI think dogs are most like me, because they are honest and they are straightforward and

they seem sincere and faithful and they show their emotions very openly and clearly, it’s easy to tell when they are happy and also when they are sad or in pain.I am a lot like that its easy to read my mind, so my friends say. So I am like a dog on

that account.Also dogs are make their best effort when they are running toward food or when they

are chasing after something in play and that’s what I do too. I go all out all the time and then honest and straightforward, I am like a dog.

126. Explain the characteristics of a good neighbor. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptA good neighbor is someone who is cheerful, so ah, you know, with his or her smile or

just meeting – meeting that person and greeting, ah, makes you happy that’s a good neighbor.And also a good a neighbor is willing to help the community, help the neighbors and

help the community to improve itself. Ah, so a good neighbor participates in those ah, community activities ah, quite actively. Also a good neighbor is someone who is responsible.Ah, a good neighbor is someone who abide by the rules and ah, who keeps his or her

words. So that’s the kind of neighbor I would like to have.

Cleaned up transcriptA good neighbor is someone who is cheerful, so with his or her smile or just meeting

that person and greeting, makes you happy that’s a good neighbor.And also a good a neighbor is willing to help the community, help the neighbors and

help the community to improve itself. So a good neighbor participates in those community activities quite actively. Also a good neighbor is someone who is responsible.A good neighbor is someone who abide by the rules and who keeps his or her words.

So that’s the kind of neighbor I would like to have.

127. If you could know one thing about your future, what would you like to know? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to know ah, what my – you know what my best life time achievement – in

what area it’s going to be and what is going to be because, if I know ah, in what I will do best, I can prepare for it now and try to learn you know accumulate enough knowledge and skills ah, I can prepare, ah, you know for that kind of future, for that kind of achievement.If I can do that I will be able to maximize you know the benefits this society received

from my effort and form my achievements.

And that will make me very happy and it will lead to a satisfying life and peaceful death.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to know what my best life time achievement – in what area it’s going to

be and what is going to be because, if I know in what I will do best, I can prepare for it now and try to learn accumulate enough knowledge and skills I can prepare for that kind of future, for that kind of achievement.If I can do that I will be able to maximize the benefits this society received from my

effort and form my achievements.And that will make me very happy and it will lead to a satisfying life and peaceful

death.

128. What family or local tradition still lives in you? When do you feel that way? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe tradition of diligence, ah, persistence and self-discipline they still live in me.Ah, I feel that when I encounter a hardship and I never give-up and keep going. And

especially when you know my persistence pays and when – when I finally achieve something such as passing a very a difficult examination, I feel that those family traditions are still quite alive in me.I also feel that way when I get very upset when my friends or my students are not

diligent they, ah, and they are lacking self-discipline and ah, when they are giving up easily.So you know in many sense those traditions are still pretty much – pretty much alive in

me.

Cleaned up transcriptThe tradition of diligence persistence and self-discipline they still live in me.I feel that when I encounter a hardship and I never give-up and keep going. And

especially when my persistence pays and when I finally achieve something such as passing a very a difficult examination, I feel that those family traditions are still quite alive in me.I also feel that way when I get very upset when my friends or my students are not

diligent they and they are lacking self-discipline and when they are giving up easily.

So in many sense those traditions are still pretty much alive in me.

129. Are you happy that you are a man/woman? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI am happy I am a man, because I think it’s easier to – to live and to be happy and to

achieve something in this world because it is still a male centered, if not male dominated.And another reason why I think it’s easier to be man is that I don’t have worry about

my appearance that much. I don’t have to wear makeup, I don’t have to worry about you know, ah, wearing nice clothes and being appealing.So ah, these things helps me because I can channel you know, the energy I would have

otherwise spent on my appearance, I can channel energy into achieving something I think is, ah, more important.

Cleaned up transcriptI am happy I am a man, because I think it’s easier to live and to be happy and to

achieve something in this world because it is still a male centered, if not male dominated.And another reason why I think it’s easier to be man is that I don’t have worry about

my appearance that much. I don’t have to wear makeup, I don’t have to worry about wearing nice clothes and being appealing.So these things helps me because I can channel you know, the energy I would have

otherwise spent on my appearance, I can channel energy into achieving something I think is more important.

130. After finishing a difficult job, what reward do you give to yourself? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI do two entirely different things to reward myself. The first thing I do is just to keep

ah, keep working you know because when I am successful and I am on the roll, I enjoy working and achieving more so much so just ah, you know to keep going itself is a great reward to myself.Ah, but I also do something that’s ah, you know that is diametrically opposite to that

and it is taking time off and enjoy the nature. I – especially I like catching fish in the near by river, so I take like the entire afternoon off and then enjoy the nature and enjoy catching fish. So I have two different types of rewards for myself

Cleaned up transcriptI do two entirely different things to reward myself. The first thing I do is just to keep

working you know because when I am successful and I am on the roll, I enjoy working and achieving more so much so just to keep going itself is a great reward to myself.But I also do something that’s diametrically opposite to that and it is taking time off

and enjoy the nature. Especially I like catching fish in the near by river, so I take like the entire afternoon off and then enjoy the nature and enjoy catching fish. So I have two different types of rewards for myself

131. What fruit do you like? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like bananas for – for several reasons. First bananas are easy to eat you know you

don’t need a knife or anything to peel off the skin and eat it.And the second reason is that it’s also easy to carry around you know so ah, when you

need a light snack bananas are quite good.Ah, they are cheap and ah, also they provide you know they are filing and they provide

ah, some essential nutrition. Among them is potassium, that’s a they aren’t many varieties of kinds of food that provide potassium.So bananas are useful for many purposes

Cleaned up transcriptI like bananas for several reasons. First bananas are easy to eat you know you don’t

need a knife or anything to peel off the skin and eat it.And the second reason is that it’s also easy to carry around, when you need a light

snack bananas are quite good.Ah, they are cheap and also they provide you know they are filing and they provide

some essential nutrition. Among them is potassium, that’s a they aren’t many varieties of kinds of food that provide potassium.So bananas are useful for many purposes

132. What one word describes you best? It can be either your personality or

appearance. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think that one word would be ‘discipline’.Because of my discipline, I can work hard and ah, I can be persistent and I see can

achieve a lot – a lot of things just by working hard and being persistent. That requires good discipline.Also good discipline helps me to stay healthy. Ah, I can – I can do the kind of things I

should be doing you know get sufficient amount of exercise and all that because of my discipline.And thirdly because of my discipline ah, – my discipline makes me a good citizen,

because ah, I do respect the rules and abide by the rules when I know it is a thing to do. My discipline helps me to do so.

Cleaned up transcriptI think that one word would be ‘discipline’.Because of my discipline, I can work hard and ah, I can be persistent and I see can

achieve a lot of things just by working hard and being persistent. That requires good discipline.Also good discipline helps me to stay healthy. I can do the kind of things I should be

doing you know get sufficient amount of exercise and all that because of my discipline.And thirdly because of my discipline makes me a good citizen, because ah, I do

respect the rules and abide by the rules when I know it is a thing to do. My discipline helps me to do so.

133. If you could choose any job you like, what would you like to do? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think, I would like to play baseball professionally, because it was one of my

childhood dreams and ah, right now, all I do is like to sit, and read, and write, and teach you know and use my brain and conduct research.That’s a lot of fun but I think I would like to do something different which is like using

my body, you know my physical skills ah, to make a living. So I would like to play baseball professionally.Also if you are a baseball player you know in your thirties or forties at the latest you

will retire and you and have second career as a manager or ah, you know ah, as a say as a TV personality so you can enjoy a different career like that too.

Cleaned up transcriptI think, I would like to play baseball professionally, because it was one of my

childhood dreams and right now, all I do is like to sit, and read, and write, and teach and use my brain and conduct research.That’s a lot of fun but I think I would like to do something different which is like using

my body, my physical skills ah, to make a living. So I would like to play baseball professionally.Also if you are a baseball player you know in your thirties or forties at the latest you

will retire and you and have second career as a manager or as a say as a TV personality so you can enjoy a different career like that too.

134. What is the most frequent reason why you dislike someone? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI don’t like people who are – who are lazy and irresponsible.You know, if you are lazy ah, its like unfair to the hardworking people because they

make this – this society work and they you know they provide food and they try to improve the society and you aren’t participating and you are only enjoying, you know, what they produce what they generate.Also if you are irresponsible – irresponsible that’s – unfair to the responsible people

because you know you may be – you may not be punctual and you may not abide by the rules, and you make those responsible citizens suffer because of your attitude.

Cleaned up transcriptI don’t like people who are lazy and irresponsible.If you are lazy ah, its like unfair to the hardworking people because they make this

society work and they provide food and they try to improve the society and you aren’t participating and you are only enjoying, you know, what they produce what they generate.Also if you are irresponsible that’s unfair to the responsible people because you may

not be punctual and you may not abide by the rules, and you make those responsible citizens suffer because of your attitude.

135. Describe your dream house. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy dream house ah, I don’t require that much in terms of the building itself, the house

itself but the surrounding you know, the ah, what around the house including my yard and backyard and stuff they are more important to me.I like to have a house with a large yard and a large pond, with a stream feeding into the

pond and going out of the pond you know keeping the water in the pond quite clean.I like have carp and other fish I love in the pond.And I like to have lots of grass in the garden where grasshoppers and the crickets live.

I like these insects so much and I like to have some wooded area in the rear of the house where I see cicada’s and the other insects.So that’s the dream house.

Cleaned up transcriptMy dream house, I don’t require that much in terms of the building itself, the house

itself but the surrounding, around the house including my yard and backyard and stuff they are more important to me.I like to have a house with a large yard and a large pond, with a stream feeding into the

pond and going out of the pond keeping the water in the pond quite clean.I like have carp and other fish I love in the pond.And I like to have lots of grass in the garden where grasshoppers and the crickets live.

I like these insects so much and I like to have some wooded area in the rear of the house where I see cicada’s and the other insects.So that’s the dream house.

136. What training is most effective for you in preparing for the TOEFL test? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI think I already possess sufficient basis skills.So what helps – helps me to do well on TOEFL would be ah, fluency development

practices or trainings.Ah, for example, ah, doing a – like quantity reading, quantity listening, you know,

quantity writing, ah, extensive exercise of that kind, you know with the focus on quantity would be helpful.Also ah, repetition you know by repetition you can become more fluent and more

proficient.So repetitive work would be helpful and finally a time pressure ah, you know, try to do

the same thing in the shorter time that kind of practice is useful because for TOEFL is requires ah, efficient time management.

Cleaned up transcriptI think I already possess sufficient basis skills.So what helps me to do well on TOEFL would be fluency development practices or

trainings.For example, doing like quantity reading, quantity listening, quantity writing,

extensive exercise of that kind, with the focus on quantity would be helpful.Also repetition by repetition you can become more fluent and more proficient.So repetitive work would be helpful and finally a time pressure, try to do the same

thing in the shorter time that kind of practice is useful because for TOEFL is requires efficient time management.

137. Why are you studying English? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI am studying English for two simple reasons.Ah, first I – I teach English to my students. So I myself you know should be ah,

proficient in English and ah, especially since I like to be a role model – good role model for my students in terms of ah, English skills, that’s the first reason.And the second reason is that ah, I mean, I’m a scientist and ah, in sciences you always

write your papers in English and ah, almost all the important papers published, ah – they are in English.So English skills you know they are prerequisite for doing science research.

Cleaned up transcriptI am studying English for two simple reasons.First I teach English to my students. So I myself should be proficient in English and

especially since I like to be a good role model for my students in terms of English skills,

that’s the first reason.And the second reason is that I mean, I’m a scientist and in sciences you always write

your papers in English and almost all the important papers published they are in English.So English skills they are prerequisite for doing science research.

138. What was the worst injury you have had so far? How did it happen? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptThe worst injury – the worst injury happened when I was in, ah, in junior high school.I injured my right knee while playing baseball and ah, it was really bad because it took

like months you know to heal and ah, also the pain was ah, quite sharp.Now ah, it is – it is even bad now because at the age of 53, it’s coming back and every

winter my right knee, that the knee I injured ah, still bothers me.Since I am quite active – and I enjoy walking around and running around you know ah,

it is really bad that my mobility is suffering because of my bad knee.

Cleaned up transcriptThe worst injury happened when I was in junior high school.I injured my right knee while playing baseball and it was really bad because it took

like months to heal and also the pain was quite sharp.Now it is even bad now because at the age of 53, it’s coming back and every winter

my right knee, that the knee I injured till bothers me.Since I am quite active, and I enjoy walking around and running around it is really bad

that my mobility is suffering because of my bad knee.

139. What excuse do you give to your teacher when you have not done the homework? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, first off, I want to say that I always do my homework. I am a very conscious and

responsible type. And so its – it doesn’t happen that often.Especially there is no such thing for me as ah, not doing the homework – homework

because I am lazy or because I have something you know more interesting to do.However I have indeed you know forgotten to do the homework I mean it was just a

simple forgetfulness.And when it happens I just honestly tell my teacher what happened, ah, you know and

ah, so there is no excuse I have to come up with.And I am usually forgiven as I think I should.

Cleaned up transcriptFirst off, I want to say that I always do my homework. I am a very conscious and

responsible type. And so it doesn’t happen that often.Especially there is no such thing for me as ah, not doing the homework because I am

lazy or because I have something you know more interesting to do.However I have indeed you know forgotten to do the homework I mean it was just a

simple forgetfulness.And when it happens I just honestly tell my teacher what happened, ah, you know and

ah, so there is no excuse I have to come up with.And I am usually forgiven as I think I should.

140. What would you like to do after retirement? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, to tell you the truth I – I really don’t want to retire. Ah, but I guess legally I think

I will have to retire at the age of 63, because it is a mandatory retirement age.But even after that retirement, you know, I only want to formally retire and ah, I still

have to get going as I am now. In other words, I want to keep conducting research – you know my research and ah, I like to keep teaching ah, part-time.So that way I can remain active and you know I wouldn’t go – I wouldn’t go senile.And it’s a good social service too. So it’s a service to the community and the students

and this good for my health.

Cleaned up transcriptTo tell you the truth I really don’t want to retire. But I guess legally I think I will have

to retire at the age of 63, because it is a mandatory retirement age.But even after that retirement, you know, I only want to formally retire and I still have

to get going as I am now. In other words, I want to keep conducting my research and I like to keep teaching ah, part-time.So that way I can remain active and I wouldn’t go senile.

And it’s a good social service too. So it’s a service to the community and the students and this good for my health.

141. If any wish can come true, what would it be? Explain why. Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptOne thing I regret about my life or the way I am is that I am not as smart as I would

like to be.Ah, I was ah, until the age of 44, I had been trying very hard to become a good

mathematician. But I never really succeeded in doing so. I didn’t have a spectacular career as a mathematician.People often say like there are only ten good mathematicians in the world and my wish

to be one of them.You know ah, since I wasn’t smart myself, not that smart I – I never knew, I never

experienced what it’s like you know to be smart.And I would like to know what its like and how good you feel if you are super smart.That’s my wish.

Cleaned up transcriptOne thing I regret about my life or the way I am is that I am not as smart as I would

like to be.I was until the age of 44, I had been trying very hard to become a good mathematician.

But I never really succeeded in doing so. I didn’t have a spectacular career as a mathematician.People often say like there are only ten good mathematicians in the world and my wish

to be one of them.Since I wasn’t smart myself, not that smart I never knew, I never experienced what it’s

like you know to be smart.And I would like to know what its like and how good you feel if you are super smart.That’s my wish.

142. What would you do if you find 1000 yen on the sidewalk? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original Transcript

I can’t really explain why but if a find a wallet, you know, even though that wallet contained only 1000 yen I think I will – I will bring it, you know, take it to the police and ah, you know ask the police officer to find the person who dropped it.On the other hand if it is money like cash or 1000 yen bill, ah, somehow I don’t have

that – much—much hesitation in keeping it and I would probably keep it.I don’t how this habit started. And I don’t even know if it’s a ah, -- you know

prevalent habit in this society. But somehow if it money, if it cash is easier to keep and somehow I feel the finder should keep it if this cash.

Cleaned up transcriptI can’t really explain why but if a find a wallet, even though that wallet contained only

1000 yen I think I will take it to the police and ask the police officer to find the person who dropped it.On the other hand if it is money like cash or 1000 yen bill, somehow I don’t have that

much hesitation in keeping it and I would probably keep it.I don’t how this habit started. And I don’t even know if it’s a prevalent habit in this

society. But somehow if it money, if it cash is easier to keep and somehow I feel the finder should keep it if this cash.

143. What personal trait(s) of other people do you like best? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI like – I like honesty and diligence best. Ah, and they are traits I – I believe I posses

myself ah.I like honest people because when they say something you know, I want to be able to

believe and take what they are saying at face value, that’s very important to me.I am not good at reading peoples mind or reading between the lines so to speak.And ah, diligence is important ah, because when I work with them, since I am very

intelligent [ph], I don’t want to be the one who does most of the job.Ah, it is very important ah, you know diligence is important to create a nice

cooperating – cooperative atmosphere.

Cleaned up transcriptI like honesty and diligence best. And they are traits I believe I posses myself.I like honest people because when they say something, I want to be able to believe and

take what they are saying at face value, that’s very important to me.I am not good at reading peoples mind or reading between the lines so to speak.And diligence is important because when I work with them, since I am very intelligent

[ph], I don’t want to be the one who does most of the job.It is very important diligence is important to create a nice cooperative atmosphere.

144. Of all the things you have done so far, what do you regret most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI regret the decision I made when I was 44, to come back to Japan and work for my

alma mother – alma mater most.Ah, at that time I was an aging mathematician and it ah, it seemed like a very good

idea to come back to Japan and ah, you know ah, put my overseas experience in English skills as well as, my knowledge in science to good use.But as it turned out ah, this office is dominated by, ah, humanities and social sciences

people and I don’t feel comfortable working with those people being the only ah, scientist.So because of this fowl, bad environment I regret that move I made.

Cleaned up transcriptI regret the decision I made when I was 44, to come back to Japan and work for my

alma mater most.At that time I was an aging mathematician and it seemed like a very good idea to come

back to Japan and put my overseas experience in English skills as well as, my knowledge in science to good use.But as it turned out this office is dominated by, humanities and social sciences people

and I don’t feel comfortable working with those people being the only scientist.So because of this fowl, bad environment I regret that move I made.

145. Why do you or do you not perform better when there is an audience? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, it depends on the nature of the job. If it is something very simple then I think I

will probably perform better if there is an audience.

I – I think it’s called an audience effect. You know since I am being watched I – I just ah, go out and get a lot done. I will be effective and efficient.On the other hand though, if it is something ah, more sophisticated you know

something that requires deep thought or something that’s very difficult so you have to concentrate and you have to do it very carefully. And then when it is something like that an audience can be both distracting and ah, in some cases ah, an audience can make me nervous.So I would perform better without and audience. So it depends on the situation.

Cleaned up transcriptIt depends on the nature of the job. If it is something very simple then I think I will

probably perform better if there is an audience.I think it’s called an audience effect. Since I am being watched I just go out and get a

lot done. I will be effective and efficient.On the other hand though, if it is something more sophisticated something that requires

deep thought or something that’s very difficult so you have to concentrate and you have to do it very carefully. And then when it is something like that an audience can be both distracting and in some cases ah, an audience can make me nervous.So I would perform better without and audience. So it depends on the situation.

146. Which part of the world would you like to visit? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to visit Bay area, Bay Area means the San Francisco Bay area again. In

particular I would like to visit the city of Berkeley, California.Ah, I – I lived there for 10 years and ah, I attended University of California at

Berkeley getting my PhD there.And I would like to enjoy that academic environment again. and also the campus was

dominated by the Asian population. So in that sense also it was a comfortable place for me.And finally you can’t beat the weather the Berkeley. It’s warm in winter and ah, it’s

cold, nice – nice and cold and the air is crisp in summer. So ah, I would like to visit Berkeley again.

Cleaned up transcript

I would like to visit Bay area; Bay Area means the San Francisco Bay area again. In particular I would like to visit the city of Berkeley, California.I lived there for 10 years and I attended University of California at Berkeley getting

my PhD there.And I would like to enjoy that academic environment again. And also the campus was

dominated by the Asian population. So in that sense also it was a comfortable place for me.And finally you can’t beat the weather the Berkeley. It’s warm in winter and it’s cold,

nice, and cold and the air is crisp in summer. So I would like to visit Berkeley again.

147. When do you feel you are not alone? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, I want to say something weird. Ah you know, I feel I am not alone very late at

night, when I am alone in my room.Ah, what it is that ah, I was ah, granddaddies kid ah, grandpa’s kid and late at night

when I am studying hard and you know, ah, I feel that my grandfather is looking at me from behind or maybe from above.And I feel that ah, I am not alone. And I think the reason why I think, he will show up

at the time like that is that he always emphasized the important of studying hard and he studied a lot day and night. So that’s his image.

Cleaned up transcriptI want to say something weird. I feel I am not alone very late at night, when I am

alone in my room.What it is that – I was granddaddies kid, grandpa’s kid and late at night when I am

studying hard and I feel that my grandfather is looking at me from behind or maybe from above.And I feel that ah, I am not alone. And I think the reason why I think, he will show up

at the time like that is that he always emphasized the important of studying hard and he studied a lot day and night. So that’s his image.

148. What do you do when you have difficulty studying hard? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, since I have a very good self-discipline ah, I don’t have difficulty studying hard

just because the subject is boring.So if I – I can convince myself you know, it is important then I can study hard.Now though ah, even though it’s a case – I still have difficulty when I am tired either

mentally or physically.You know, and when I can’t study hard because I am mentally tired, what I do is to

take a walk around and try to relax just a bit and rewind – unwind you know.And when I am physically tired there is nothing I can do so I may try a cup of coffee

but ah, it’s – it’s better to stop right there.

Cleaned up transcriptSince I have a very good self-discipline I don’t have difficulty studying hard just

because the subject is boring.So if I can convince myself it is important then I can study hard.Now though even though I still have difficulty when I am tired either mentally or

physically.And when I can’t study hard because I am mentally tired, what I do is to take a walk

around and try to relax just a bit and unwind you know.And when I am physically tired there is nothing I can do so I may try a cup of coffee

but it’s better to stop right there.

149. Who is your role model? Why? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptMy role model is Professor William Robertson. He is professor of mathematics at UC

Berkeley and he was my academic advisor ah, for my PhD degree.Ah, I respect – respect him for two reasons both – both academic and ah, as a human

being I respect him both as an as a academic and as a human being.I respect him as an academic because ah, he takes both research teaching very

seriously and ah, he is not just well respected in the research community but he is also very respected and liked by the students.And the second reason is his personality. Ah, he is very easy to get along with and he

is caring and he helps students and people around him all the time.

Cleaned up transcriptMy role model is Professor William Robertson. He is professor of mathematics at UC

Berkeley and he was my academic advisor for my PhD degree.I respect him for two reasons both academic and as a human being I respect him both

as an as a academic and as a human being.I respect him as an academic because he takes both research teaching very seriously

and he is not just well respected in the research community but he is also very respected and liked by the students.And the second reason is his personality. He is very easy to get along with and he is

caring and he helps students and people around him all the time.

150. What technological innovation do you enjoy most? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptAh, I enjoy computers most, ah. Because of the computers, ah, it is now easy to enter

data or store data and retrieve them. It’s easy to search for the data you want as well.Ah, its much better system than a paper based system. Ah, that’s why I – I enjoy

computers so much.Ah, it is – it makes me more effective and efficient, ah, in particular nowadays ah,

most computers including mine are connected to the internet.And with internet is almost like your desktop suddenly became you know a part of the

entire world and became connected to the world and that’s great.

Cleaned up transcriptI enjoy computers most. Because of the computers, it is now easy to enter data or store

data and retrieve them. It’s easy to search for the data you want as well.It’s much better system than a paper based system. That’s why I enjoy computers so

much.It makes me more effective and efficient, in particular nowadays most computers

including mine are connected to the internet.And with internet is almost like your desktop suddenly became a part of the entire

world and became connected to the world and that’s great.

151. What place do you enjoy visiting with your friend(s) or what place would you

like to visit with your friend(s)? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI enjoy visiting a ball park with my friends. Ah, if you are with your friend especially

someone who is rooting for same team ah, you know just rooting together and ah, talking about the players [ph] on the field that makes ah, that – more than doubles the fun. So I like to visit the ball park with the friend.Also if you have someone to talk to when there isn’t much activity much going on in

the field you know, you can talk about the ball game or you can even talk about something else with your friend.So ah, it makes you know the – those inactive you know, periods on the field ah a lot

of fun.

Cleaned up transcriptI enjoy visiting a ball park with my friends. If you are with your friend especially

someone who is rooting for same team, just rooting together and talking about the players [ph] on the field that more than doubles the fun. So I like to visit the ball park with the friend.Also if you have someone to talk to when there isn’t much activity much going on in

the field you know, you can talk about the ball game or you can even talk about something else with your friend.So it makes those inactive periods on the field ah a lot of fun.

152. If you are asked to recommend a good place to visit by a foreign tourist, what place would you recommend? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI will recommend Kyoto to a foreign tourist because if you visit Kyoto you know

Kyoto is – is a big city. So you have the convince of you know easy shopping and ah, lodging ah, you know the big city offers.But at the same time its a ah, it’s a traditional place and you can visit shrines and

temples and ah, enjoy traditional Japanese culture.So it’s like ah, the best of the two worlds. You know, modern convenience and

traditional beauty.That’s why I recommend Kyoto.

Cleaned up transcriptI will recommend Kyoto to a foreign tourist because if you visit Kyoto you know

Kyoto is a big city. So you have the convince of easy shopping and lodging the big city offers.But at the same time it’s a traditional place and you can visit shrines and temples and

enjoy traditional Japanese culture.So it’s like the best of the two worlds. Modern convenience and traditional beauty.That’s why I recommend Kyoto.

153. If you became the head of a nation, what would be your top priority? Please include specific details in your explanation. You may assume it is your country if you wish.

Original TranscriptMy top priority would be education. People say tomorrow begins today, ah, and that

means in this case ah, you have to educate tomorrow’s adults to make this – this county to make your country better in the future.So ah, I like to emphasize education and also you know young peoples minds are still

malleable. And they can learn things quickly.Even though there maybe a problem with the citizens currently, it may be very difficult

– it might be very difficult to change them, because they are adults and their – their you know their brains – have stopped developing.So I would like to work on children rather than adults.

Cleaned up transcriptMy top priority would be education. People say tomorrow begins today and that

means in this case, you have to educate tomorrow’s adults to make this county to make your country better in the future.So I like to emphasize education and also young peoples minds are still malleable.

And they can learn things quickly.Even though there maybe a problem with the citizens currently, it may be very difficult

to change them, because they are adults and their brains have stopped developing.So I would like to work on children rather than adults.

154. If you could go back to your grade school days, what would you do? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to enjoy the genuine friendship you know genuine human relations, ah, in

my grade schools days. You know, I would like to enjoy ah, playing baseball with my friends maybe catching fish and catching insects with friends.Ah, the reason why I keep saying genuine is that once you become adults you know,

human relationships among adults they become too complicated.Ah, you may be trying to, ah, you know get introduced to a new customer you know,

through your friend ah, by your friends and you maybe trying to get a recommendation from your friend and you know, sometimes ah, you becomes friends with someone to make money, so I don’t like that and I miss the genuine friendship of my childhood – in my childhood.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to enjoy the genuine friendship genuine human relations, in my grade

schools days. I would like to enjoy playing baseball with my friends maybe catching fish and catching insects with friends.The reason why I keep saying genuine is that once you become adults you know,

human relationships among adults they become too complicated.You may be trying to get introduced to a new customer through your friend by your

friends and you maybe trying to get a recommendation from your friend and sometimes you becomes friends with someone to make money, so I don’t like that and I miss the genuine friendship in my childhood.

155. If your personal logo features an animal, what would it be? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI would like to use ah, a big catfish called [Unclear] on my logo. Ah, I want to use a

catfish because ever since my childhood days you know, when I was ah, chasing after this fish in nearby river, I have been fascinated by this fat headed fish. That’s why I want to choose a catfish.And the reason why it is [Unclear] a particular kind of catfish – big catfish is that it

keeps growing for life. Its growth hormone keeps working for life and it keeps growing.

And ah, I would like to be like that and I would like to keep growing mentally and physically for life.That’s why I chose that fish.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to use a big catfish called [Unclear] on my logo. I want to use a catfish

because ever since my childhood days when I was chasing after this fish in nearby river, I have been fascinated by this fat headed fish. That’s why I want to choose a catfish.And the reason why it is [Unclear] a particular kind of big catfish is that it keeps

growing for life. Its growth hormone keeps working for life and it keeps growing.And I would like to be like that and I would like to keep growing mentally and

physically for life.That’s why I chose that fish.

156. Can you or were you able to stay away from alcoholic beverages until you reach/reached the legal age? Why or why not? Please include specific details in your explanation.

Original TranscriptI was ah, – I was easily you know, able to stay away from alcoholic beverages because

I am allergic to alcohol.It actually runs in the family, my father, my mother, my younger brother we are all to a

different degrees allergic to alcohol.Ah, but even if I weren’t you know, even if ah, say I liked the taste I – I am pretty I

would have been able to stay away from alcoholic beverages until the legal age, because I strongly believe in law and order and you know ah, abiding by the law and respecting law are both its letters [ph] and the spirit it is at the core of modern society that’s my belief.

Cleaned up transcriptI was easily able to stay away from alcoholic beverages because I am allergic to

alcohol.It actually runs in the family, my father, my mother, my younger brother we are all to a

different degrees allergic to alcohol.But even if I weren’t you know, even if say I liked the taste I am pretty I would have

been able to stay away from alcoholic beverages until the legal age, because I strongly

believe in law and order and abiding by the law and respecting law are both its letters [ph] and the spirit it is at the core of modern society that’s my belief.

157. What festival do you like the best?

Original TranscriptI like Jidai festival in Kyoto the best. Ah, one of the reasons is that it is a very

interesting festival, while it doesn’t have a long history like many other festivals.In that festival you get to see people dressed in different costumes you know different

dresses, historical dresses.Ah, I think it dates back to 3rd or 4th century and ah, you know what Japanese people

have won in the past ah, 17 – 18 centuries you can see them.And another reason, the second reason is that I still remember my grandfather while he

was still alive ah, took me to the Jidai festival. And ah, it is one of my fond memories.

Cleaned up transcriptI like Jidai festival in Kyoto the best. One of the reasons is that it is a very interesting

festival, while it doesn’t have a long history like many other festivals.In that festival you get to see people dressed in different costumes, different dresses,

historical dresses.I think it dates back to 3rd or 4th century and what Japanese people have won in the

past 17 – 18 centuries you can see them.And another reason, the second reason is that I still remember my grandfather while he

was still alive took me to the Jidai festival. And it is one of my fond memories.

158. if you could be an animal other than the human being what would like to be? Why?

Original TranscriptI would like to be a tiger, because tigers have very few enemies.And it is great you know, at the top of the food chain and ah, you know, if you don’t

have worry about being eaten by a predator, it would be a great life I think.And another reason is tigers you know, they are solitary creatures and they have a huge

territory.You know, each animal, each individual tiger and that’s sort of life – the style I like.

I would like – I like – I like the independence and freedom and I like to, ah, rule a huge territory and I would like to lead my life the way I like in that huge territory.So that’s why I like – I would like to be tiger.

Cleaned up transcriptI would like to be a tiger, because tigers have very few enemies.And it is great you know, at the top of the food chain and if you don’t have worry

about being eaten by a predator, it would be a great life I think.And another reason is tigers is they are solitary creatures and they have a huge

territory. Each animal, each individual tiger and that’s sort of the style I like.I like the independence and freedom and I like to rule a huge territory and I would like

to lead my life the way I like in that huge territory.So that’s why I would like to be tiger.

159. If you had to become an animal other than the human being what animal would you like to avoid?

Original TranscriptI maybe prejudiced because – but I would like to avoid being a hyena, because they are

– I think you know, the – their lifestyle of stealing ah, food from other animals isn’t really like you know, the style I would like to – I would like to have.Ah, what annoys me is that it seems to me if they are strong enough to chase away you

know other predators to get their preys ah, they should be able to hunt you know, for themselves so they are fully capable. And yet they don’t you know get their hand dirty and try to get ah, their own prey.So I don’t like to be like that.

Cleaned up transcriptI maybe prejudiced but I would like to avoid being a hyena, because I think their

lifestyle of stealing food from other animals isn’t really the style I would like have.What annoys me is that it seems to me if they are strong enough to chase away you

know other predators to get their preys, they should be able to hunt for themselves so they are fully capable. And yet they don’t you know get their hand dirty and try to get ah, their own prey.So I don’t like to be like that.