Dr. Petr StraumalA.A.Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences

Home
Voice of Fellows
Dr. Petr Straumal
A.A.Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences

Dr. Petr Straumal
A.A.Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences

2025
Russia

Long way to Japan

The way to my scholarship stay in Japan was a long one. My application was chosen in 2019, and the planned start of the stay should have been the September 2020. But in 2020, the global pandemic started, and the Matsumae International Foundation suggested postponing the trip. I was amazed by that fact. At the moment when many companies and foundations canceled their programs and operations, the MIF went on with their work and followed their mission. The next years did not give a chance to come to Japan, too, but the MIF still did not cancel their promise. So, in October 2025, I could finally come to Japan after 4 years of waiting.

That is why I can truly say that my trip is a symbol of the main goal of the Matsumae International Foundation to «endure peace and friendship among all nations of the world … by inviting overseas researchers of outstanding academic calibers, regardless of race, gender, religion, or ideology. » I have always believed that the personal contact between ordinary people, the horizontal connections, and cooperative projects can hold the world together and fight the hatred which divides countries and nations.

Because of that, my stay in Japan became especially precious to me. In my career, I spent a lot of time in research institutions in Germany. I like to go abroad for research trips. Usually, they motivate me, speed up the work, and bring new ideas from discussions with foreign colleagues. Unfortunately the last 4 years, I had no such possibilities.

But the trip to Japan was not exactly the same in my perspective since I don’t speak Japanese. I had, as many foreigners, an image of very strict rules and hierarchy in Japan. Luckily, all my concerns vanished when I came to my receiving laboratory of Prof. Kato, where I work under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Wada in the Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University. The attitude here is not different from that in European laboratories. The colleagues are friendly and helpful. I have great possibilities to conduct my research. And I hope for some future collaboration, when the global situation will allow, too.

For Japan itself, it pleased me with its convenience. I thought it would be complicated to get around, but with ample denotation and modern smartphone navigation and translation, anyone can easily get around, order food, and so on.

I am deeply grateful to the Matsumae Foundation team, who did not turn from their path towards a peaceful and united future.

January 2026

Senior Researcher, A.A.Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences