Taizo Uchida

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This transcript is based on a video-recorded interview deposited at MarE3, JAMSTEC (Yokosuka, Japan).

The transcripts of the research project Oral Histories of Scientific Ocean Drilling are polished representations of oral conversations, and are intended solely for the purpose of preserving and documenting personal accounts and memories. They are not a literary product, and are not intended to exhibit literary qualities.

The primary goal of this transcript is to capture the spoken words and memories of the interviewee as accurately as possible. Minor editing and polishing works have been performed to enhance clarity and readability while maintaining the authenticity of spoken discourse, including non-standard grammar, inconsistencies, repetitions, and pauses. The interviewee has been allowed to review and edit the transcript, and they have approved the publication of this version before posting it.

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Please cite the interview as:

Interview of Taizo Uchida by Beatriz Martinez-Rius on 2024 November 23, D/V Chikyu (Japan). [link]

Beatriz Martinez-Rius (BMR): Today’s 23 of November of 2024. I’m Beatriz Martinez-Rius from JAMSTEC and I’m onboard Chikyu, in IODP Expedition 405. Can you say your name, your affiliation and your position?

Taizo Uchida (TU): My name is Taizo Uchida, and I am in Kochi University. I am a first year PhD student.

BMR: When did you start your PhD?

TU: This April.

BMR: Oh, so quite recently. So, what is your research topic?

TU: My topics in PhD is to establish the fault geothermometer using the paleomagnetic method. This expedition is part of my PhD studies.

BMR: It’s very good that you are able to start off your PhD in a very sort of unique expedition. We can talk later about that. But first, let me ask you where are you from, in Japan?

TU: I’m from Nagoya, in the middle of Japan. And I moved to Kochi for my master degree.

BMR: Why did you decide to move to Kochi?

TU: Because my undergraduate university doesn’t have master courses. So, I must move to Kochi University.

BMR: And why did you decided to go into Earth sciences?

TU: Actually, I wanted to be a school teacher. So, I was in the university which is to learn about education. But then, my supervisor in the undergrad was a very, very, very great geologist. So, I became interested in geology, and I wanted to learn more and more.

BMR: So, having a professor who knew about geology kind of inspired you or attracted you about the scientific career.

TU: Yes, because I wanted to know the geology by myself. That’s the main reason.

BMR: What attracted you about being a teacher, in first place?

TU: When I was an elementary school student, my teacher at that time told me that, “You should become a teacher”. I also like helping kids to grow, because it’s interesting, to look at the growth of kids. But, as I said before, my mind changed.

BMR: From teaching to geology. That’s great. So how did you learn about scientific ocean drilling?

TU: My current supervisor has also joined the IODP project a few times, and through him I heard about the scientific ocean drilling projects.

BMR: Why did you decided to become involved in scientific ocean drilling?

TU: I just wanted to know the geological information from various kinds of lithology, to obtain that information.

BMR: But why doing it at sea, and not just from on land?

TU: Because this is fresh (laughs), it’s studying ongoing processes over the accretionary prism. Although it’s important to compare active events with past events.

BMR: Another question about your studies. How did you become interested in paleomagnetism?

TU: Just because my previous supervisor is a paleomagnetist.

BMR: What do you like about paleomagnetism?

TU: Because with paleomagnetic studies, I can obtain quantified information. Paleomagnetism is a kind of physics, so I can obtain clear information about the geological events. That is the charm of paleomagnetism.

Taizo working onboard Chikyu, in the paleomagnetism lab. JAMSTEC/IODP.

BMR: You mentioned that being in this expedition is part of your PhD, but did you still had to write a proposal and apply?

TU: Yes. So, from my master studies, I’m studying the fault zone. I found this expedition on the internet, and I got interested on it. So, I just applied.

BMR: I think many people applied, and not so many of them got onboard. So, why do you think your application was selected, or why it was interesting for the organizers?

TU: I think that paleomagnetism, the fault thermometer of paleomagnetism, is kind of cutting-edge. So, it’s challenging. But, as I said before, paleomagnetism is quantified information. It’s a specific feature, compared with other measurements. So, maybe that was a strong point. I’m not sure.

BMR: Do you mean that with paleomagnetism you quantify something that the other teams don’t quantify?

TU: I mean… they are also quantifying. But paleomagnetism is focused in rock magnetic properties, which change almost simultaneously with the heating event, and have wider range of detectible temperature than the other geothermometer.

BMR: When you arrived on Chikyu, what was the thing that impressed you the most?

TU: That it is super integrated (laughs). Also, in the laboratory, we can discuss immediately when we find interesting information. And also, we can spend time in the mess room, or the laboratory, together. Also, of course, we are in the ocean. That’s so interesting.

BMR: I also wanted to ask you an example of something that you had to learn in order to do your job here, in Chikyu.

TU: Actually, what I am doing in Chikyu is what I am doing onshore. It’s the same work.

BMR: That’s good (both laugh), that makes it easier for you.

TU: Yes, so easy.

BMR: What is the think you enjoy the most of being on Chikyu, and the most challenging?

TU: Scientific, the most interesting is, that this is the first time for me to study continuous geological formations. This is so fresh, for me. I can obtain a continuous p-mag signature. This is so interesting! Then, I can find the tectonic information and chronological information. So, actually, I’ve never done such a kind of study. It’s very interesting.

BMR: It’s great to hear that you are enjoying it, and that you find science that is exciting for you. And how about life on Chikyu?

TU: Life? Life is so good! (laughs). After working, I always spend time with my good friends. It’s a good opportunity to take a rest, and I can work genki [with energy] every day.

BMR: And what has been the most challenging part?

TU: Uhm… Challenging… Everything is good. I have to wake up at… Well, the sleeping time is short – but that is not so much challenging. Uhm… I can’t find challenging stuff, because I’m a positive guy (both laugh).

BMR: I know, you are very positive (laughs). So, now you are starting your research, and I wanted to ask you if after this experience, do you think you will continue to work in relation to scientific ocean drilling? And how?

TU: Yeah. Of course, I want to apply to the next expedition. Then, I also have a personal interest in the ocean. So, I would like to participate in a other expeditions other than scientific ocean drilling; I mean, including smaller expeditions.

BMR: you mean, in marine geological expeditions, not only scientific ocean drilling but with other techniques.

TU: Yeah, probably.

BMR: I hope you’ll have the chance. Another question I have for you. Did you know someone in this expedition, before coming onboard?

TU: Yeah, a lot of people. Those who are from Kochi. There are a lot of people from the institutes in Kochi, like Ishikawa-san, Hamada-san, Iwai-san, Okuda-san, Morono-san, me…

BMR: Yes, there’s a big team from Kochi. It’s a good opportunity for Japanese scientists to collaborate with experts from other countries. So now, the difficult question. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

TU: In ten years… I guess I will be working in some institute as a scientist. In ten years… I will be 34. So… I hope I will be working as a scientist.

BMR: I’m sure you’ll make it.

TU: Thanks.

BMR: Is there something you’d like to add that I haven’t as you?

TU: Mm… no. Thank you.

BMR: Thank you very much.