Drawn to its technological capabilities and people, she joins Hitachi. Taking care of the very first phase of monozukuri, or making things.

At graduate school, the subject of her research was the efficacy of treatment that used particle beams concomitantly with anticancer drugs. Ito, who wanted to continue working with particle therapy even at her place of employment, began looking for a job by narrowing down companies in Japan that deal with particle therapy system. She says, “At the time, a report came out that a company in Japan was the first in the world to commercialize a device that used a new irradiation method in particle therapy. That company was making breakthroughs in the research that we were struggling with at the lab, which I thought was wonderful. That company was Hitachi.” Drawn to the personalities of the human resources officer who interviewed her and employees who joined the company before her, she decided to join the company without hesitation. Just as she wanted, she was assigned to the design and development of particle therapy system. Her job was to create a device's design specifications; and her role was to take care of the very first phase of monozukuri, or making things, by asking the requirements of hospitals that want to adopt the device. She says, “Even though particle therapy system are already in use, the reality is it's still uncommon around the world. As it utilizes cutting-edge technology, the bar is quite high in terms of cost and other things for hospitals to start using it. Moreover, the performance level and functions required differ according to each customer or hospital, so it is often necessary to a detailed design of the device for each customer, almost semi-custom made, rather than mass-produce. In order to deliver a device that exceeds customers’ expectations, I always work hard to understand the customers’ needs, and I feel it's important to work with them as closely as possible.”

Safety, first and foremost. Rewarding life of working as a technician.

Ito's thoughts are centered on breaking new ground with cutting-edge technology, the hospitals that use the devices, and the patients undergoing treatment. She feels the weight of such responsibilities, and she continues to take up the challenge of designing and developing particle therapy system. She says, “Hundreds of people within the company are involved in completing one device. In order to deliver a product, people create blueprints, manufacture parts, assemble those parts, inspect the device, all while managing the entire production process. It's often said that engineering is all about monozukuri, and it really is a huge process.” In manufacturing devices, safety is first and foremost for her. With the advancement of machine automation nowadays, the particle therapy system are also increasingly automated. However, it goes without saying that the performance and accuracy of the device need to be high in relation to the decreased burden on the person operating the device. She explains, “Above all else, we emphasize safely controlling the particle beam used in cancer treatment. We also receive feedback about improvements from hospitals we've delivered devices to, and we analyze those to produce devices with even more value. Moreover, “particle beam standards” are finally being established recently.” A rewarding job working as a technician is probably Ito's calling. Hearing her speak about her job, we felt the pride and confidence she has in her work.

Engineering makes possible things we haven't even imagined. With the goal of improving patients' QOL after treatment.

Ito’s goal is clear: to make it possible for cancer to be completely cured on an outpatient basis, while not having to give up on the joys of working, child-rearing, and living daily lives. “I want to make particle therapy available to those who need it. I fervently hope that this technology will be more widely available. Specifically, I would like to see an increase in the number of hospitals that use this technology and in the number of patients receiving this treatment, which in turn can widen the scope of treatment covered by insurance. This way, it will be easier for hospitals to consider adopting these devices, and for patients who pay to choose this treatment. I hope that particle therapy becomes the standard choice for cancer treatment as early as possible, not in the distant future. I’m glad to note that we've recently been receiving more inquiries and orders from all over the world, especially from emerging countries,” she says. By reducing the burden of cancer treatment on the mind and body, the patient's quality of life (QOL) after treatment can be increased. Even if cancer is diagnosed, patients will not despair and are able to lead hopeful lives. It makes you wonder just how much this treatment can brighten people's futures.

Lastly, we asked Ito to look back on the path she has taken and the choices she has made. She says, “Actually, there was a time when I felt that choosing my path meant narrowing down my future. But ever since I entered Tohoku University, I realized that a choice I made opened up other choices for me. Engineering makes possible things we haven't even imagined. I would like to bring to realization things that were inconceivable up until today in the field of particle beams, and spread them all over the world.”