Academic Profile

Focusing on “space” as a key perspective, I examine socioeconomic issues faced by real-world cities and regions. My research utilizes geographic information systems (GIS). Ongoing advancements in GIS technologies and spatial data have been enhancing our ability to conduct detailed and sophisticated analyses of spatial challenges in urban and regional contexts. In addition, I have long been engaged in the development of GIS teaching materials and education. Through both the publication of GIS books, such as the Introduction to GIS for Economic and Policy Analysis series, and my teaching activities, I aim to foster the next generation of professionals in this field.

CV: k-ris  researchmap  Google Scholar Citation

My seminar

Online GIS Educational Materials (in Japanese)

Research Fields

Spatial Information Science, Economic Geography, Urban and Regional Policy

Education

1995   B.A.  Keio University (Economics)

1997   M.M.G.  Keio University (Media and Governance)

2002   Ph.D.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Urban and Regional Planning) 　(Dissertation Committee: Frank Levy (thesis supervisor), Joseph Ferreira, Qing Shen, Moshe Ben-Akiva)

Classes (2025/2026 Academic Year)

Keio University:

• Undergraduate: Economics and Environment, Economic Geography a, Economic Geography b, Seminar, Urban and Regional Mobility Industry

• Graduate: Seminar (Urban Economics/Microeconomics)

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies:

• Spatial Analysis of Urban Policy

The University of Tokyo:

• Graduate School of Public Policy & Graduate School of Economics: Urban and Regional Policy/ Urban Economic Policy

Note: I teach GIS basics and applications in most of the courses above.

Awards

2024 CSIS DAYS 2024 Best Presentation Award, Center for Spatial Information Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan (Mizuki Kawabata, Micho Naoi, and Shohei Yasuda)

2023 Geographic Information System Association Poster Session Award, Japan (Ren Maehira and Mizuki Kawabata)

2020 CSIS DAYS 2020 Excellent Joint Research Presentation, Center for Spatial Information Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan (Yukiko Abe, Mizuki Kawabata, and Yuki Shibatsuji)

2016 Geographic Information System Association Poster Session Award, Japan (Yuichi Kobayashi and Mizuki Kawabata)

2015 Best Paper Award, Applied Regional Science Conference, Japan

2006 Research Encouragement Award, GIS Association of Japan

2002 Barclay Gibbs Jones Award for Best Dissertation in Planning, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, U.S.

2002 Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT , U.S.

Qualification

GIS Professional certified by the U.S. GIS Certification Institute, 2005.09