AGU RESEARCH

Columns that reveal the world
- Getting up close and personal with the researchers -

In the world we live in,
From issues close to us to issues that affect all of humanity,
There are many different problems.
The current situation and truth that are surprisingly unknown,
Our proud faculty members offer interesting insights
We will reveal it.

※ Video markItems marked with include video content.

  • School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, Department of International Economics
    ​
  • What impact do differences in living environments have on children's development?
    Contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through both education and research
  • Associate Professor Seung-Gyu Sim
  • Associate Professor Seung-Gyu Sim has been researching the impact of differences in living environments on development through surveys and analysis of children who live in environments other than the home they were born into. He says that empathy for others, a positive way of thinking, and the ability to see things from a broad perspective are all essential elements for realizing a sustainable society, and are fostered through good relationships with those around us and education. He himself aims to make further contributions to society through his daily guidance of students and specialized research into child development.
    (Released in 2023)

  • School of Business, Department of Business Administration
  • Turning expertise into social benefit.
    Exploring data science to create more value
  • Associate Professor Ibuki Hoshina
  • Statistical modeling is a method of deriving mathematical models from data that represent the structure behind the data, which can be used to predict and interpret various phenomena. Associate Professor Hoshina is working on developing new methods that apply existing theories, aiming for more accurate predictions and more versatile models. By taking advantage of the strengths of theoretical research and introducing methods to society that allow for error-free data analysis even without specialized knowledge, he looks toward a future in which anyone can make the most of the benefits that data science brings.
    (Released in 2023)

  • College of Community Studies,
    Department of Community Studies
  • From "sensitivity" and "intuition"
    We aim to unravel the state of education and society and resolve issues.
  • Professor Hiroshi Nishijima
  • Sociology of education considers education in society. By considering the relationship between education and society through themes such as music education, the approach spreads beyond time and region, and how we should approach academic studies. The attitude also emerges.
    (Released in 2023)

  • College of Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biological Science
  • Challenging the unknown
    Adaptation strategies for high water pressure environments learned from yeast
  • Professor Fumiyoshi Abe
  • "I don't want to do the same thing as other people." This desire led him to study microorganisms that have adapted to high water pressure. He comes up with his own research methods and pioneers research from his own unique perspective, which sometimes leads to discoveries that astound the world. With his originality and daily diligent efforts, he takes on basic research to discover something from nothing. (Released in 2022)

  • College of Economics, Department of Economics
  • Statistics and today's data science are rapidly spreading in modern society.
    Statistical literacy required
  • Associate Professor Tamae Kawasaki
  • The vast amounts of data that can now be collected with the evolution of ICT will be analyzed using statistical methods such as multivariate analysis to gain new perspectives that were previously invisible. Data science based on statistics is an extremely powerful tool in modern society, but it can be difficult to use correctly without statistical literacy. Looking ahead to the coming data era with Associate Professor Kawasaki's research, we will consider what kind of statistics and statistical literacy underpin data science. (Published in 2022)

  • Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Physical Sciences
  • Understanding the mechanisms of life at the molecular level
    Unraveling these mysteries leads to the discovery of new physical laws
  • Professor Michio Tomishige
  • When we look inside the cells of living organisms at the molecular level, we find a world in which various molecular machines (nanomachines) operate under physical laws that are completely different from the macroscopic world we see with our eyes. We aim to use physics to decipher the mysteries of living organisms and establish new physical laws. This is the image of such research.
    (Released in 2022)

  • College of Literature, Department of Japanese Language and Literature
  • Utilizing cutting-edge computer technology
    Understanding with Data Science
    The mysterious world of classical languages
  • Professor Yasuhiro Kondo
  • The idea of "integration of humanities and sciences," which transcends the boundaries between the humanities and sciences and involves learning across both academic fields, is now becoming more widespread in the field of education. Professor Yasuhiro Kondo of the Department of Japanese Literature, Faculty of Letters, was one of the earliest researchers to focus on computer-based research into Japanese language since the 1970s, and has truly put the integration of humanities and sciences into practice. He has continued his research to unravel the mysteries of the oldest classical languages using cutting-edge computer technology. What kind of talent and creativity does Professor Kondo envision as being required for humanities research in the future? (Published in 2022)

  • School of Global Studies and Collaboration, Department of Global Studies and Collaboration
  • Mexico's economy falls into the "middle-income trap."
    We will consider the regional disparities and poverty issues.
  • Associate Professor Kaoko Sakikawa
  • Associate Professor Kaoko Sakikawa encountered Spanish language and development economics during her undergraduate years, and began researching development issues in Latin America at our graduate school. After studying abroad at the Mexican Graduate School, she developed a strong interest in the issues of inequality and poverty in the Mexican economy, and has been working on research based on three pillars: economic theory, empirical evidence, and national characteristics. Looking back on her own journey, in which she has continued to take on challenges driven by curiosity and energy, she offers her support to all students with promising futures.
    (Published in 2022)

  • College of Economics, Department of Economics
  • The impact of economic activity on the environment
    Combining engineering and economics perspectives
  • Professor Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Environmental economics is a field that analyzes economic activities, including their impact on the environment, and seeks to find viable measures to reduce environmental burdens. Professor Matsumoto Shigeru, who left a science faculty to study economics, approaches issues in this field from the dual perspectives of an engineer and an economist. He will introduce his research stance, as well as the basic ideas of environmental economics, which look at the choices and actions of both companies and consumers, and the results of his research on carbon pricing (a policy method that encourages behavioral change by putting a price on carbon and imposing a cost burden).
    (Published in 2022)

  • Faculty of Law, Department of Human Rights
  • Exploring LGBTQ human rights issues from the field of law, with a focus on legal interpretation.
    ​
  • Professor Hiroyuki Taniguchi
  • Serious discussions on LGBTQ human rights issues began in Europe in the 1980s and spread globally, but the situation in Japan is still far from ideal. Professor Hiroyuki Taniguchi is addressing this issue from the perspective of legal interpretation, conducting research on the influence of international human rights norms on Japanese legal interpretation, keeping in mind its historical and social connections. Not only for LGBTQ issues, but for human rights issues in general, viewing them solely from the perspective of individual awareness and feelings will lead us further away from fundamental solutions. What perspective should we adopt?
    (Published in 2022)

  • College of Community Studies
  • What is the purpose of a museum?
    Understanding from people, history and background
  • Associate Professor Masanori Oki
  • From around 2000, local governments began to merge and close public museums against the backdrop of worsening finances and other factors. This prompted people to question the purpose of museums and their significance. Associate Professor Oki Masanori, who specializes in museology, explains the importance of museums in discovering and evaluating cultural resources, and providing local residents with a place for intellectual activity. We will consider the value of museums in the present and future by unraveling the history of museums established by philanthropists in modern Japan and the aspirations and history that have been passed down to the present day. (Published in 2021)

  • School of Business
  • Visualizing service quality and exploring the future of "customer satisfaction"
  • Professor Joji Ono
  • The tertiary industry is an economic sector that accounts for over 70% of GDP, but the services it provides are intangible and invisible, and their quality cannot be measured by machines. The JCSI (Japanese Customer Satisfaction Index) survey is one of the largest customer surveys in Japan to visualize customer satisfaction in the service industry, and its results are widely used to encourage "competition across industries based on customer evaluations." Here, we would like to consider the state of service in Japan, looking at the relationship between customer psychology and customer satisfaction revealed by the survey. (Published in 2021)

  • College of Economics
  • Predicting population distribution for the next few decades by block and district
    Urban planning and disaster prevention planning
    Providing the underlying data
  • Professor Takashi Inoue
  • Foreseeing changes in the population structure over the long term is essential for national and local government policymaking. This is all the more true in Japan, where population decline is accelerating. However, detailed population estimates have been extremely difficult due to technical barriers. The smaller the estimated area, the more likely it is that numerical fluctuations will occur, and how can this be reduced? Professor Inoue applied a certain classical theory to devise a groundbreaking equation, enabling him to estimate future populations for each small region of the country. In this column, we will get to know the researcher better and explain the details of his new methodology.
    (Published in 2021)

  • College of Literature
  • The "SSARC model" leads
    Adapted to each individual's cognitive abilities
    A future where you can choose how you learn
  • Professor Robinson, P.J.
  • Professor Robinson, PJ is a pioneer of Task-Based Language Learning. He is also a leading authority in the field of language learning, and his papers are ranked in the top 1% worldwide in the fields of second language acquisition and applied linguistics in terms of the number of citations in Scopus (one of the world's largest abstract and citation databases). His scientifically-backed research is paving the way for the future of language learning, and the SSARC model theory he has established can be applied to a variety of studies outside of linguistics. (Published in 2021)

  • School of Global Studies and Collaboration
  • How will the Internet change language, opinion, and society?
  • Professor Eiichirou Kabashima
  • Printed communication, which first appeared in the late 1400s, has grown over the past 500 years alongside the major media in society, including newspapers, books, and magazines. However, with the rise of the Internet in the mid-1990s, a major change occurred. This was not just a shift in media, from paper to electronic, and from analog to digital, but a major change that shook up the words and thoughts we use. Here, we discuss with Professor Kabashima of the Faculty of Global Studies, who specializes in media industry theory, what this once-in-500-year change from print to the Internet was, and how it has changed our words and thoughts. (Published in 2021)

  • School of Business
  • Exceeded the number
    Communication leads
    The present and future of accounting
  • Professor Kenichi Yazawa
  • When most people hear the word accounting, they probably think of "calculating." However, Professor Yazawa Kenichi of the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Administration, says, "In accounting, calculations are just one tool. What's important is how you communicate using those numbers." Since 2020, the impact of COVID-19 has created a balance between business activities for companies, but if you carefully analyze the data released by companies, such as financial statements, including not only the numbers but also the text information in reports, the true nature of the company becomes clear. Professor Yazawa looks at the present and future of accounting, making full use of the latest text mining techniques. (Published in 2021)

  • Faculty of Law
  • If we don't give up and take action, we can change the world - Gender and law in a time of rapid change
  • Associate Professor COOP, Stephanie L.
  • In recent years, issues of gender discrimination and gender violence have been brought to the forefront not only in the world but also in Japan. Associate Professor Koop has been researching gender and law, focusing mainly on international criminal law and international human rights law. International human rights law is a set of rules stipulated in human rights treaties such as the Convention against Torture, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as well as customary international law related to human rights, and stipulates the rights that countries must guarantee to those under their jurisdiction. International criminal law refers to international law that holds individuals directly criminally responsible for international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Based on her research on these issues, and including precedents from the International Criminal Court, she would like to consider what the law and we can and should do about discrimination, violence, and persecution against women and sexual minorities. (Published in 2021)

  • College of Science and Engineering
  • Using a laser
    Unraveling the "Molecular World"
  • Professor Tadashi Suzuki
  • Although the atoms and molecules that make up matter cannot be seen directly with the naked eye, it is possible to shine light on molecules and observe the "molecular world" from their response. While reactions that occur in response to light contribute to maintaining life and maintaining health, it has become clear that they can also be the cause of disease. Another theme of physical chemistry research is the development of analytical methods to capture molecular reactions. See what applications can be achieved by observing the molecular world and unraveling its complex and dynamic mechanisms. (Published in 2021)
※ Video markItems marked with include video content.

  • School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, Department of International Economics
    ​
  • What impact do differences in living environments have on children's development?
    Contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through both education and research
  • Associate Professor Seung-Gyu Sim

  • School of Business, Department of Business Administration
  • Turning expertise into social benefit.
    Exploring data science to create more value
  • Associate Professor Ibuki Hoshina

  • College of Community Studies,
    Department of Community Studies
  • From "sensitivity" and "intuition"
    We aim to unravel the state of education and society and resolve issues.
  • Professor Hiroshi Nishijima

  • College of Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biological Science
  • Challenging the unknown
    Adaptation strategies for high water pressure environments learned from yeast
  • Professor Fumiyoshi Abe

  • College of Economics, Department of Economics
  • Statistics and today's data science are rapidly spreading in modern society.
    Statistical literacy required
  • Associate Professor Tamae Kawasaki

  • Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Physical Sciences
  • Understanding the mechanisms of life at the molecular level
    Unraveling these mysteries leads to the discovery of new physical laws
  • Professor Michio Tomishige

  • College of Literature, Department of Japanese Language and Literature
  • Utilizing cutting-edge computer technology
    Understanding with Data Science
    The mysterious world of classical languages
  • Professor Yasuhiro Kondo

  • School of Global Studies and Collaboration, Department of Global Studies and Collaboration
  • Mexico's economy falls into the "middle-income trap."
    We will consider the regional disparities and poverty issues.
  • Associate Professor Kaoko Sakikawa

  • College of Economics, Department of Economics
  • The impact of economic activity on the environment
    Combining engineering and economics perspectives
  • Professor Shigeru Matsumoto

  • Faculty of Law, Department of Human Rights
  • Exploring LGBTQ human rights issues from the field of law, with a focus on legal interpretation.
    ​
  • Professor Hiroyuki Taniguchi

  • College of Community Studies
  • What is the purpose of a museum?
    Understanding from people, history and background
  • Associate Professor Masanori Oki

  • School of Business
  • Visualizing service quality and exploring the future of "customer satisfaction"
  • Professor Joji Ono

  • College of Economics
  • Predicting population distribution for the next few decades by block and district
    Urban planning and disaster prevention planning
    Providing the underlying data
  • Professor Takashi Inoue

  • College of Literature
  • The "SSARC model" leads
    Adapted to each individual's cognitive abilities
    A future where you can choose how you learn
  • Professor Robinson, P.J.

  • School of Global Studies and Collaboration
  • How will the Internet change language, opinion, and society?
  • Professor Eiichirou Kabashima

  • School of Business
  • Exceeded the number
    Communication leads
    The present and future of accounting
  • Professor Kenichi Yazawa

  • Faculty of Law
  • If we don't give up and take action, we can change the world - Gender and law in a time of rapid change
  • Associate Professor COOP, Stephanie L.

  • College of Science and Engineering
  • Using a laser
    Unraveling the "Molecular World"
  • Professor Tadashi Suzuki
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