In continuation of our series of interviews with the various ambassadors of Women in Geothermal (WING), we here feature an interview with Kasumi Yasukawa from the Geological Survey of Japan (AIST) and the Principal Research Manager of the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute. She has been doing geothermal research her whole career and has worked in the USA, Italy, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, etc. in addition to her homeland of Japan. Kasumi is also an active member of the international geothermal community, and is involved in geothermal educational outreach activities in Japan and through the International Geothermal Association and IEA-Geothermal Implemening Agreement.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist (painter or music composer) or an explorer (to visit jungles and deserts)
What motivates you?
To live in Tsukuba Science City (a new city made by the government for science and technology) looked so interesting that I got a job in Geological Survey of Japan after graduation of university and was put into geothermal research section.
To be a research scientist in a national lab looked fancy for me: since I have never met real woman science in my country, my role-models were woman scientists in Hollywood movies who even lecture government high officers and politicians without afraid.
Then I fell in love with geothermal energy. Visiting geothermal prospects is just like exploring, and I can draw pictures of beautiful natures.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well, it is not only my achievement, but I am proud that I was one of the people who moved the Japanese government to support geothermal development after the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. Another thing I am proud of is that I could serve for IGA-BoD for two terms and now I am alternate member of IEA Geothermal, through which I can contribute to international geothermal growth, I believe.
What do you believe has been the key to your success?
- Stay in a field of work (geothermal study), which I believe in, even in bad times
- Be creative and do the things other people don’t, especially when economically tight
- Make good friends all around the world
Many other researchers moved out of geothermal study when the government support for R&D on high temperature geothermal energy was drastically cut-off around 2001. But I stayed in geothermal research, and started the first research on ground source heat pump (GSHP) in our country with very limited budget. It made me “all round” geothermal specialist. Later on, the colleagues who stayed in geothermal business in bad times became really close no matter he/she is a company or university and we could do quick action toward the government after the crises of nuclear power in 2011. Throughout the hard time for geothermists in Japan, international friends always encouraged and inspired me mentally and technically.
What do you believe are the personality traits of great leaders?
Listen carefully to other people’s opinions no matter he/she is in higher or lower position. Make solid decision by her/his own (listening to other people is another thing)
What do you think is the biggest obstacle for women in the geothermal sector?
I don’t think there is an obstacle for women specifically in the geothermal sector. There might be obstacles for women, but it may be common to other sectors.
Why do you think it is important for women in geothermal to join forces?
Networking is important. (But it is not necessarily for/among woman, but everyone.)
What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
Through your work, you may experience much more interesting things than you could imagine during school days. Through such experiences, you may find yourself having much more potential than you could ever thought.
Stay in a same company/institute especially as a specialist doesn’t mean you are doing the same job throughout your life. With your career, your job naturally changes from learning phase to teaching phase; given phase to giving phase, that is more challenging and interesting.
Kasumi may be contacted regarding WinG and her activities in Japan and internationally at at kasumi-yasukawa@aist.go.jp
We would like to think Laura Garchar a WING member in the U.S. and Staff Geoscientist with Geologica Geothermal Group Inc. who helped make this interview possible.