I came in contact with Professor Tokimatsu and his laboratory at a symposium at Uppsala University, where did my PhD in electrical engineering. I learned about an ongoing cooperation between Uppsala University and Tokyo Tech, and became interested in doing a post doc at Tokimatsu Laboratory. With an invitation from Professor Tokimatsu, I could apply for a 6 month fellowship from JSPS (Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science). I was very grateful for all the help with visa application, accommodation and such given to me by Ms. Sato at the laboratory.
Once I arrived in Tokyo, I got a warm welcome from the members of the lab. There were students from many different countries working with a variety of subjects. Working hours were flexible and many lab members worked partly from home. Being used to a Swedish work place with fixed lunch and coffee breaks, I was a bit confused by people having lunch at different hours, but I felt at home with the coffee-corner at the back of the office where I could get a coffee and a chat.
As a post doc at Tokimatsu laboratory I had a lot of freedom. My research project was about balancing challenges from large scale integration of renewable energy in the power system. I lived at the International House at the Ookayama campus and did much of my research at the Ookayama campus library, before the corona virus outbreak forced everyone to work from home. I mostly worked alone, but thanks to Professor Tokimatsu I got the opportunity to meet and present my work to some researchers in my field at another department, and also to go to a study visit at a cutting edge thermal power plant. There was also a weekly seminar at the lab, which unfortunately was cancelled during part of my stay due to the corona virus outbreak.
My time in Tokyo and at the laboratory turned out quite differently than I had expected due to the corona virus outbreak, but I am grateful for my time there and I take many happy memories with me.