Network functions of the Ricoh printer installed in my research laboratory at graduate school attracted my interest. It motivated me to join Ricoh.

For the first four and a half years I was with the company, I worked in a design department to develop an embedded OS and software for the data communication system for multifunction copiers and printers. I always felt a big sense of accomplishment whenever I saw test image data fed to and printed out from a prototype printer, run for the first time.

On the other hand, I continued to hope for a network related job, my primary interest from the beginning. My dream came true when I was transferred to my present position in 2000. The focus now is IPv6, which is attracting a lot of attention as the next generation network infrastructure technology; I am working to mount this technology on Ricoh products and apply it to the Ricoh in-house network. In addition to in-house solutions, I am actively engaged in industry-wide efforts to spread IPv6 to the public.

Let me briefly explain IPv6. When we use the Internet, the IP (Internet Protocol) infrastructure technology is used. The IP technology currently used is IPv4 (IP version 4), whose imminent demise is forecasted.

Personal computers and other equipment connected to the Internet for communication through IP must have individual identification numbers called IP addresses. IPv4 can only accommodate about 4,200 million IP addresses. Considering the world's population and the mass of equipment to be connected, the 4,200 million frame work will soon be filled.

If IP addresses run out it becomes impossible to connect new equipment to the network, thereby halting development of the network society. Enter IPv6. Since IPv6 can have almost infinite IP addresses, it will put us in a position to assign IP to everything. IPv6 not only increases capacity but also expands the variety of applications. Development of varied products and services, not possible with conventional IPv4, becomes reality.

We must adopt next generation technologies like IPv6 at appropriate timing to incorporate them into our products. To send better and better products to the market, I investigate leading-edge technologies while predicting their trends., I then provide product development engineers with the latest information and technology: what IPv6 technology is, when we should respond to that technology, what will happen to that technology, and what we should do to acquire that technology, and so on. I am engaged in collecting information and proposing responses.

Beyond that, I am actively promoting IPv6 activities outside the company. In fiscal year 2006, I had the chance to co-chair "IPv6 Terminal OS evaluation SWG" of the IPv6 Promotion Council. Together with other WG members, I was able to quantify the Windows Vista response to IPv6 and evaluate a proposal on issues related to mounting IPv6 terminals. Beyond technical problems, there were also difficulties related to the individual needs of participating companies. I learned a lot.

The work related to IPv6 infrastructure technology is not immediately connected with profits. In the long term, however, IPv6 will be the basis of product development of the future. It will eventually return big profits to the company as well as to society at large. In this sense, this is a very challenging job for me.

Beyond that, IPv6 is a technology that supports progress of the ubiquitous society itself and will change the world. It is a great joy for me as an engineer to play a role in such a leading-edge technology of the next-generation Internet.

I think that leading-edge technology is something that cannot be achieved without repeating arguments and investigation with researchers and engineers in and outside the company. Since the Internet system is not decided only in Japan, my activity also spreads abroad. It is an incomparably exciting experience to cultivate an untouched field of new technology like IPv6.

I am very satisfied with my present work environment, in which I work in and outside the company on new technology related to IPv6. Now that the in-house response to and understanding of IPv6 have spread, the approach to IPsec and its relevant and application technology has also started as another infrastructure technology. I'm looking forward to it with great expectations.

I guess I should also confess that I am so devoted to my job that I tend to be less conscious of my private life. I think I need to look for a work life balance.