Message from Alumni & Faculty
*Affiliations and titles are current at the time of publication
OSHIMA Yuka
Since I was a child, I have loved looking up at the stars. As I learned more about space through a junior high school seminar, I became interested not only in observing stars but also in fundamental questions such as how the universe began. In high school, I took part in an astronomy program called “Galaxy School” at Kiso Observatory, the University of Tokyo, and my aspiration to pursue research on the universe grew even stronger.
During the first two years of university, I enjoyed studying a wide range of subjects in the liberal arts curriculum. These included Hindi and Mongolian, as well as field courses at the Misaki Marine Biological Station and the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest. When the time came to choose my major in my second year, I attended orientation sessions for various departments. Ultimately, I chose the Department of Physics because it would allow me both to gain a broad foundation in physics and to pursue research in astrophysics.
In graduate school, I worked on experiments to search for dark matter and on the development of a gravitational-wave telescope. After completing my Ph.D., I wanted to continue conducting space-related research, so I joined NTT R&D. I am now working toward the realization of space solar power systems. Although my research focus has changed since my student days, my desire to contribute to space research has remained constant.
I am only in my second year at the company and do not yet have as much life experience as the senior women whose messages appear here. Nevertheless, I would like to share what I have learned from the choices I have made along the way.
When I was in high school and unsure about my future, a teacher told me, “You do not need to worry too much about the distant future. It is enough to think about the next five years.” I still remember how relieved those words made me feel. At each major turning point—including applying to university, choosing a major, deciding to pursue graduate study, and searching for a job—I thought carefully about my options, sought advice from my family and friends, and chose the path that seemed best to me at the time. So far, I have no regrets about the choices I have made.
The number of young women researchers at NTT R&D is growing. Through my own job search, I came to realize firsthand that many career paths in the private sector across a wide range of fields are open to women, including those with Ph.D.s. I hope that you will keep your options open for the future, actively pursue what interests you, and choose a path that feels right for you.
Publication Date: 2026.9.10