It's been a pretty long time since I last updated the blog, and as my time in Tokyo is slowly starting to run out, I believe it is time for a few more posts.
First of all, let me wish all of you a (belated) Happy New Year: 明けましておめでとうございます! I did not spend it in Japan however but was in Zurich for 10 days for the celebrations. I heard from other YSEPers that there were no fireworks in Tokyo, so I didn't miss out on that. Typically, in Japan, the first three days of the new year are important holidays, spent with family and friends and including visits of a shrine.
I brought back around one kg of chocolate from Switzerland to the lab, and it was gone in 3 days! Of course, with around 30 people in the lab, this isn't too surprising (and of course it was great chocolate ;) ).
Last weekend, there was the TISA sports festival, where I joined for futsal and table tennis. It was really nice, although it started pretty early on a Saturday, which meant no weekend sleep out. Still, totally worth it. The table tennis part was pretty much a fail for me, as I lost all my matches (yeah, I'm terrible at it). Actually, Jonas won the table tennis tournament, and was second place for the badminton tournament. Such Prizes! Many Talent! Wow!
Anyway, the futsal part was somewhat more victorious (we made 5th place, from 16). On the picture (official TokyoTech facebook page), you can see a tired me in front of another team of the tournament, which I decided to coach a bit (just for fun, although they will assure you it didn't sound like it). Unfortunately, our team-pic is not available yet, but I will add it once I get to see it! The futsal tourney was set up like in 4 groups of 4 teams, which played in the morning. In the afternoon, there was a final round (for all of the teams) and the ranking was determined (so there was a match for 5th place, but also for 15th place).
On a less amusing note, I actually broke my finger while playing. The so-called avulsion fracture isn't severe and all I got as treatment was a cream that is locally painkilling. My finger actually turned blue and was swollen to twice the normal diameter by Sunday. The doctor said that I can use the finger normally (so I can continue working) and today, the swelling is gone and the pain is minimal.This Wednesday, we had the opportunity to visit JFE Steel, one of Japan's largest steel businesses. We had a study tour at the Kawasaki factory, which is located on an artificial island in the Bay of Tokyo. The factory was pretty impressive (the island is 2 x 3 km) and the steel production was interesting to watch. As a part of the production process, after creating the raw iron (called pig iron), it is burned at 1500 degrees with a pure oxygen flame to remove most of the carbon that reduces the quality of the product. The liquid steel is then allowed to flow into large slabs, which are left to cool. In a next step, the slabs are reheated and then press rolled into long sheets. The heat of these sheets could be felt from 30 m away (where we were standing).
On the way home, we had a magnificent view on Fuji-san, which I tried to capture (sorry for the low quality).
And as a general thing, the air has been exceptionally clean and clear in the last days.In the lab, my research is slowly reaching an end. I have to present my work and finish a report by the 31.1., which means that all measurements need to be finished next week. I'll make a special blog entry on my research soon, when I have enough to make something interesting. On the 7th of February, the YSEP half-year completion ceremony will be held (they also want a presentation). And on the 15th, I'm heading back to Zurich.
I hope you enjoyed the post and stay tuned, 4 more weeks of Japan and a few posts are waiting for you!
