[Japanese Interviews: Life in LA] Yuko Hamamoto, Sr. Applications Engineer

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■ Engineer in the Semiconductor World: Yuko Hamamoto

“I didn’t find research in graduate school interesting. I strongly felt I wanted to do work that connects directly to society, which led me to where I am today.” Asahi Kasei Electronics manufactures and sells semiconductor integrated circuits. Yuko Hamamoto joined the company fresh out of university and was later assigned to San Jose. Currently, she works as a Sr. Applications Engineer at its subsidiary, AKM Semiconductor, Inc., where she is responsible for opening new markets and supporting key customers. She has built her life alongside Asahi Kasei since graduation. What kind of path has she walked?

■ From Physics Major to Connecting with Society

Born in Fukuoka in 1976, Hamamoto grew up with two science researchers for parents. Perhaps due to their influence, she always preferred math and science over humanities. She vividly remembers being glued to the TV watching the NHK special The Universe Within. After high school, she moved to Tokyo to attend the University of Tokyo. “The University of Tokyo has a system where you choose your major based on grades. The Faculty of Science was very competitive, but the Faculty of Engineering accepted many students, so I went there.”

Her major in graduate school was Applied Physics. While unsure if she should pursue research as a lifelong career during her second year, she had the opportunity to tour Asahi Kasei’s semiconductor factory in Fuji City, Shizuoka. “When they told me, ‘The product we are making right now will be in next year’s mobile phones,’ I was moved by the realization that this work impacts society.” Impressed by the vibrant young engineers, she decided to join the company. Since then, she has consistently dealt with magnetic sensors called “Hall elements.” She held various positions, from factory development to customer support, marketing, and project management, traveling frequently to the U.S.

■ Becoming a Local in San Jose

In 2015, the order finally came. She was assigned to San Jose as a Technical Marketing Manager. It was supposed to be a 2-to-5-year stint, but life is unpredictable. Her return scheduled for 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic. During that time, she experienced pregnancy and childbirth in the U.S. Living with her child and husband, she naturally began to feel the desire to remain in San Jose.

After consulting with the company, she resigned from the Japanese entity and was rehired as a local employee by the U.S. branch—a sign that the company did not want to lose such a talented employee. “I think I was lucky. The mission the company gave me as a local employee was to approach work not from a Japanese perspective, but from a local one. I still keep that in mind today.” Based in San Jose, she is now expanding sales channels for semiconductors across North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.