We developers take great pride in spearheading world-beating precision
The development and manufacture of key technology, key components and core production equipment should remain inside Nikon.
Here's a very tough question, if you'll allow me. Your designs for production equipment were customized for use at Nikon. You'll never have the chance to see your products go into markets worldwide and be appreciated by general consumers. Don't you regret this?
Not at all. It is always measuring equipment that determines the quality of products — the quality of projection lens performance, the power and precision of a product, and the advance of lens performance. No one can create superior quality products unless they use the best level of measurement equipment that determines the world standard. Our pride is that it is us, the Nikon developers of such equipment, who ensure the ultimate quality of some of the world's top products.
IC steppers and scanners, as well as camera lenses, require the very highest precision. In order to attain this level, measurement equipment is required that has a precision surpassing the product it tests.
Equipment that measures the performance of a projection lens is not effective unless it offers better quality by at least one digit. Likewise, our developers of production equipment take great pride in the fact that their products have higher performance quality than IC steppers and scanners.
Inspection and measuring facilities are crucial.
Yes, they are. I intend to design and develop key technologies, while producing key components and core production systems exclusively within the Nikon Group. I believe it is absolutely vital to reinforce these three factors, for only then can we maintain a Nikon that is stronger than the competition.
Do you have a special message for younger engineers?
I want them to establish solid expertise of their own. Then, I want them to keep digging deep into their particular subject as much as possible. At the same time, I want them to be extra-ambitious by also acquiring knowledge other than their own specialty. Here's a saying from Japan, "Explore a wide field of interest, but not so profoundly," with which I disagree. "Explore a wide field of interest, but extensively and profoundly, too," is the motto that I want to pass on to young engineers.
Isn't this too strong a demand?
In discussions among project teams, experts are varied, from mechanics, optics, etc., and they need to have certain knowledge of subjects other than their own fields of expertise. From this rich mixture one can gather hints for one's own business from other diverse areas of science.
Now, I can imagine how you tried hard when you were young to expand your knowledge and activities in various fields.
I was happy while I was at work. Working enjoyably encourages you to focus more on the study of a subject. A sense of obligation will never help you. So I hope all the youngsters enjoy their own work.
How do you like to relax, Mr. Nakamura?
By street watching. I like cycling around town with no particular purpose. My wife sometimes asks what's good about seeing the same corners of a town. But, what I like to see is the town changing very slowly, bit by bit. Also, in my college days, I was a member of an automobile engineering laboratory circle. I used to like dealing with mechanical parts. Cars are still my hobby, driving, tuning, etc.
Monaco: Nakamura stands at a vantage point overlooking the famous course of the F1 Grand Prix.
In your private time, do any ideas about your work occur to you?
Never even once. I've never brought work home since my very first day in the office. But what comes into your mind while asleep, no one can control. I make it a rule that I concentrate on my work only during office hours.
So only office hours are for work?
I never have flashes of genius. What's most important for a conventional engineer like me when involved in the development of a new product is to simply solve problems one at a time. Working in this way will enhance your pleasure as a developer.