ポスター発表や口頭発表でも、顔見知り同士だけが話したり、議論したりしていては、この学問自体が発展しないわけです。そんなわけで、私自身も、今まで知らない人となるべく話すように、そして、学生たちもそのような活動をして、視野を広げてほしい、と感じています。学会とはそういう場所であるからです。

　土や農業の分野は、まだまだ研究が未発達です。どんどん若い人がチャレンジするべき分野なのですが、学会が「初めてきた人にとって楽しい」というのは非常に大切なことだと思っています。今回、私は微生物の部門で座長を務めさせていただいたこともあり、新たなコネクションがたくさんできました。名刺を見返して、連絡を取って共同研究などを進めたいと考えているところです。

　写真は仙台で見た、滝、です。

   We had a soil science and plant nutrition conference, at Sendai. I was basically dragged into this conference by my previous boss but it has been 7 years since then. My students regularly attend the conference and am very happy about it. I am wondering how can I make this conference more appealing. I am afraid whether first timers enjoy this conference or not. Of course, it is nice that we can catch up with our supervisors and friends through this conference, however, if that is the main purpose of this conference, the first timers think that this conference is conservative and not enjoyable. This is not what I want. 

   During the oral and poster sessions, if we are only talking or discussing with somebody we already know, it does not develop this scientific area. I often try to meet somebody who I do not know throughout this conference and I want my students to do the same. This is what the conferences are for. 

   Soil and agricultural science is still developing. More and more young ones are needed in this area. Thus, this conference has to be 'fun' for them. I was one of the chairs for the microbial sessions, for the first time. I met a lot of new people in this session and am trying to start some interesting collaborations with them. 

   I also managed to see some beautiful spots during my stay at Sendai (like the photo).