From Joachim Schultz

During the decades our group was working with Paramecium, Yutaka’s pet creature, it was always a pleasure and a scientific highlight to meet Yutaka, have discussions and, concomitantly, learn something about Japanese culture which made us curious to learn more.

While he was sort of a scientific ambassador for Japan in Bonn he had a chance to visit us in Tübingen, give a talk to the local protozoological community and he stayed with us.

We have a guest book in our house and below is, in Yutakas handwriting, what he wrote in the booklet. To this day, this was never translated to us. But is remains a constant reminder of Yutaka and his most pleasant personality in our house.

Another anecdote which we joyfully remember often to this day is a meeting with him in Honolulu. For a number of years Yutaka was working there, separated by several hours by plane from Japan. He was alone in Honolulu, his family was back in Japan. So we asked him whether he is comforable without his family and his wife. His memorable answer:

We share the same sun.

This is a remark which has taken root in our family. Yutaka is quoted often and remembered!