(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 Prospective Students Applying for the MEXT Scholarship:
I have received many emails requesting a provisional acceptance letter for the MEXT scholarship, often accompanied only by a CV. However, without a detailed research proposal, I cannot evaluate whether you are adequately prepared to begin graduate-level research.
Before contacting me, please first complete the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO) review process:
🔗 https://www.aao.opir.kyoto-u.ac.jp/
You are required to submit your research proposal through this system. For Ph.D. applicants, please also include a writing sample—such as your master’s thesis or a substantial term paper—to demonstrate your academic ability.
I will issue an acceptance letter only to applicants whose academic record (transcript) and research proposal meet the standards I expect from my regular students. Please refer to section (2) below for preparing your research proposal.
Note that University Recommendation MEXT Scholarship is quite competitive. Only a few candidates are selected from all departments of the University. Consequently, the standard I apply for issuing an acceptance letter is stricter for those applying through the University Recommendation route.
(1-3) For applicants to the EA course or the doctoral course:
Read carefully the application process:
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.
(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.