Our group is new, and by definition we are not frequently asked any questions. But here are answers to some questions that you may have.
About the University
Q. What is a women's university? How does it work?
A. Only female students can enrol in. But postdocs can be males. Japan has several women's universities somehow. Please do not ask me why.
About the group
Q. Which organisms do you all work on?
A. It depends. We mainly & currently use Arabidopsis (including non-thaliana species), Callosobruchus seed beetles, and dandelions (Taraxacum). We also do some theory (simulation modelling). The seemingly random list of study organisms emerged because we are interested in conceptual aspects of evolutionary ecology. We choose organisms that are suitable for hypothesis testing. But this policy does not preclude projects on interesting natural histories of understudied species.
Q. Which conceptual aspects do you all work on?
A. We are interested in the causes and consequences of reproductive interactions, which is admittedly ambiguous. Specifically, for example, sexual conflict, sexual selection, reproductive interference, evolutionary and/or community dynamics driven by reproductive interference.
Q. なんでウェブサイトが英語なんですか？／英語は勉強しないとダメですか？
A. 英語は勉強してください。良くも悪くも、科学の世界の共通語は英語です。重要な論文の多くは英語ですし、英語でしか読めない教科書もあります。AIの翻訳はこの10年で飛躍的に向上しましたが、それでも完ぺきではありません。実用に耐えるリアルタイムで使える翻訳機は今のところありませんので、英語で学会発表（質疑応答を含む）をしようとすると、訓練された人間の脳を超えるデバイスはありません。研究室配属のときに英語がすごくできる必要はありませんが、勉強する気が無いのは困ります。勉強のための手伝いはします。
Q. How do students choose their research projects?
A. Kyogoku first offers several potential research projects. Students will decide their projects through discussions with Kyogoku. If you can negotiate Kyogoku successfully, you may work on your own ideas. If you are a PhD student, Kyogoku expects you to come up with research ideas at some point, so that you can formalize research questions on your own after defending the thesis.
Q. What kind of techniques do you use?/Which techniques can I acquire if I join the group?
A. We do not rely on a particular technique, and different group members use different techniques. We use statistical analyses, programming, (relatively simple) DNA experiments, 3D printing, experimental evolution, artificial selection, field experiments, etc.
Q. I am currently based outside Japan. How can I join your group?
A. There are several options. If you are seeking a graduate student position, MEXT scholarship may be an option (https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1373897.htm). If you are seeking a postdoc position, JSPS offers fellowships (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/). If you are lucky, there could be temporarily available options (e.g., SPRING/grant-funded postdocs).