(1-1) For students enrolling in the Academic Researcher Program (Master's program):
You are expected to decide your academic supervisor by July of your first year in the master's program.
Please make an appointment using the link below and visit my office (Room 716) with your PC and presentation slides outlining your research plan.
https://hisakikono.youcanbook.me/
For guidance on preparing your research plan, please refer to section (2) below.
(1-2) For applicants to the EA course or the doctoral course:
Read the application process carefully:
https://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/application/
https://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/examguide/doctoral-course-april-entry/
If you are applying for the master's program, you need not contact me in advance. Just write my name as your prospective supervisor in your application material.
If you are applying for the doctor's program, please first complete the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO) review process:
🔗 https://www.aao.opir.kyoto-u.ac.jp/
You will be required to submit your research proposal in this system. Please also include a writing sample—such as your master’s thesis or a substantial term paper—to demonstrate your academic ability.
(1-3) For Prospective Students Applying for the MEXT Scholarship:
I receive many inquiries from prospective applicants requesting a provisional acceptance letter for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, often with only a CV attached. However, I cannot assess an applicant’s readiness to undertake graduate-level research without a detailed research proposal.
First, please review the information on scholarship opportunities available through our program:
https://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/application/masters/
Each year, approximately three or four of the strongest applicants admitted to the Master’s Program in the East Asia Sustainable Economic Development Studies Course (EA Course) are recommended for the MEXT Scholarship. Therefore, applicants to the EA Course Master’s Program do not need to contact me in advance regarding scholarship nomination, and I do not issue provisional acceptance letters to such applicants before admission.
If the MEXT Scholarship through Embassy Recommendation is available in your country and you have passed the First Screening conducted by the Japanese embassy or consulate general, please complete Kyoto University’s Admissions Assistance Office (AAO) review process before contacting me (Please check the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate general in your country to confirm whether the Embassy Recommendation scheme is available and to obtain information about the application procedures and schedule.):
https://www.aao.opir.kyoto-u.ac.jp/
Applicants are required to submit a detailed research proposal through the AAO system. Ph.D. applicants must also submit a writing sample, such as a master’s thesis or a substantial research paper, to demonstrate their academic and research abilities.
I will issue a provisional acceptance letter only when both the applicant’s academic record, including the transcript, and research proposal meet the standards expected of students under my supervision. Please refer to Section (2) below for guidance on preparing the research proposal.
MEXT Scholarships are also available through University Recommendation. However, only a very limited number of candidates are selected from across all departments of Kyoto University. Accordingly, the standards I apply when considering applicants under the University Recommendation route are particularly rigorous. As noted above, outstanding applicants admitted to the EA Course Master’s Program are considered for MEXT Scholarship nomination through the program’s internal selection process. Therefore, applicants to the EA Course Master’s Program do not need to obtain a provisional acceptance letter in advance, and I do not issue such letters for the University Recommendation route before admission.
(2) Prerequisite knowledge and evaluation of your research proposal
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a strong foundation in economics, econometrics, mathematics and statistics. For econometrics, I expect knowledge at the level of Stock & Watson's Introduction to Econometrics, including an understanding of the concepts of selection bias and endogeneity, as well as some approaches to addressing these problems.
For the Ph.D. program, the expected background includes:
Graduate-level microeconomics (e.g., Mas-Colell, Whinston & Green, or Kreps)
Graduate-level econometrics (e.g., Wooldridge’s Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data, or Angrist & Pischke’s Mostly Harmless Econometrics)
Strong programming skills for data management, statistical, and numerical analysis (e.g., Stata, Python, R)
Research Proposal Expectations
Your proposal should clearly state:
Research questions and their importance
Existing literature and what remains unknown or unresolved
Expected academic contribution—that is, how your research will be innovative
Methodology—how you will credibly answer your research questions
For empirical research, you must describe a specific identification strategy—for example, how you will address selection bias or endogeneity. This should be concrete: if you plan to use an instrumental variable approach, specify which variables you intend to use and why they are appropriate instruments.
When evaluating the research contribution, I also place strong emphasis on creativity. A common weak justification I often encounter is: “Previous studies found X, but no research has been conducted in this country/region/group.” “Previous studies found X, but no research has been conducted in this country/region/group.” Such reasoning is only valid if your chosen setting has unique characteristics that, from the perspective of economic theory, could meaningfully change established findings—and you explain this clearly and persuasively.
In short, I value research proposals that address important questions in a scientifically credible way, so please prepare your plan accordingly.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate both your knowledge and creativity. Because this is part of a selection process, I do not answer questions or provide feedback on draft proposals. After the submission of application documents, I will provide one round of comments for shortlisted applicants before the final interview.
I am selective in order to avoid mismatches that may hinder your academic development. Failure to obtain my acceptance does not mean you lack ability—you may find another supervisor who is better aligned with your research interests and potential.