For prospective students

For prospective students applying for the MEXT scholarship at Embassies of Japan:

I have received many e-mails asking me to write a provisional acceptance letter to apply for the MEXT scholarship, just by sending CVs. But without a detailed research proposal, I cannot judge if you are prepared enough to start your academic journey.

I will give an acceptance letter only to those whose academic record (transcript) and detailed research proposal meet the standard I require for my regular students. If you are applying for the Ph.D. program, you should also send me a writing sample, such as your master's thesis or term paper, to demonstrate your qualifications.

Students are required to have a strong knowledge of math and statistics. The prerequisite knowledge for the Ph.D. course 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)

- Good programming skills for data management, statistical analysis, and numerical analysis (such as Stata, Python, R, ...)

In the proposal, you (especially students applying for the Ph.D. course) are expected to clearly states

- What are your research questions, and why are they important;

- What is known in the literature relating to your research questions, and what remains unknown/unsolved (this may justify your research question);

- What will be the academic contribution of your research, or in other words, what will be the innovation in your research;

Some bad examples I have often encountered:

• • Literature found X. But no study in this country/region/group.

    • There are so many countries, regions, and groups in the world! No need to cover all the countries/regions/groups for a specific topic.

    • You can do this only when the country/region/group has some important characteristics that can significantly change the results of previous studies.

- Methodology (how you will answer your research questions in a credible way). If your research is empirical, you are expected to mention a concrete identification strategy, i.e., how to overcome the "selection bias" or "endogeneity bias." 

This is your opportunity to show your knowledge and creativity. As this is the process of selection, I do not answer ANY questions nor give ANY comments relating to the research proposal. I am quite selective in order to avoid unfortunate mismatches, which could harm your career. Failing in getting my acceptance does not mean that you are not talented. You will be able to find some professors else who can identify and develop your talent.

For applicants to our EA course:

Read carefully the application process: https://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/application/

I require students to have strong knowledge of math and statistics. The prerequisite knowledge for the Ph.D. course 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)

- Good programming skills for data management, statistical analysis, and numerical analysis (such as Stata, Python, R, ...)

while the prerequisites for the Master's course are:

- Advanced undergraduate microeconomics and macroeconomics

- Advanced undergraduate econometrics (e.g. Stock & Watson)

- Good programming skills for data management and statistical analysis are preferred (such as Stata, Python, R, ...)

In the proposal, you (especially students applying for the Ph.D. course) are expected to clearly states

- What are your research questions, and why are they important;

- What is known in the literature relating to your research questions, and what remains unknown/unsolved (this may justify your research question);

- What will be the academic contribution of your research, or in other words, what will be the innovation in your research;

- Methodology (how you will answer your research questions in a credible way). If your research is empirical, you are expected to mention a concrete identification strategy, i.e., how to overcome the "selection bias" or "endogeneity bias." 

This is your opportunity to show your knowledge and creativity. As this is the process of selection, I do not answer ANY questions nor give ANY comments relating to the research proposal. After the submission of the application documents, I will give comments only one time for further revision for short-listed applicants before the interview.

I am quite selective in order to avoid unfortunate mismatches, which could harm your career. Failing in getting my acceptance does not mean that you are not talented. You will be able to find some professors else who can identify and develop your talent.

Applicanttionto research student (研究生):

** Currently, I am not accepting new research students as I am supervising many graduate students.

I only accept research students who have strong motivation to proceed to our Ph.D. program after obtaining the master's degree. For fairness, however, I do not provide any support or consultation on the entrance exam for our postgraduate programs.

First complete the AAO (Admissions Assistance Office) review process: https://www.aao.opir.kyoto-u.ac.jp/