Message from a Graduate Student of the Graduate School of Economics

<Daily Life>

I am currently conducting research focusing on consumer behavior and statistical theory at the Keio University Graduate School of Economics. On weekdays, I attend a few classes a week, and on other days, I often work on data analysis or writing papers at the Mita Campus library, laboratory, or at home. In my classes, I take courses such as econometrics and industrial organization, systematically learning the theories and techniques necessary for my research.

<About My Research>

My research theme is to estimate consumer decision-making mechanisms by integrating different data such as purchase logs, survey data, and advertisement viewing history. Recently, I have been focusing on research that captures real consumer behavior, such as "shrinkflation" (the impact of changes in product content volume on consumer behavior), in-store purchase data from smart carts, and demand analysis using large-scale panel data from the United States. Since entering graduate school, I have been routinely exposed to advanced statistical methods such as Bayesian SEM and BLP models, as well as machine learning methods such as the use of large-scale language models.

<Reasons for Entering Graduate School>

After graduating from my undergraduate program, I joined an IT company, but I felt a sense of discomfort that decision-making based on data and academic knowledge was not being sufficiently practiced in the field. Additionally, because it was a foreign-affiliated company, a degree was necessary for promotion, and I also wanted to pursue a career that utilized my strengths in mathematics and economics, so I enrolled in the Graduate School of Economics. Regarding my research field, I became interested in consumer behavior and statistics because I wanted to conduct research on data and decision-making, and I have been researching them to this day.

<Impressions of Graduate School>

Before entering, I had the image that "graduate school is a place where you conduct research in isolation," but in reality, it is a very open atmosphere where both faculty and students can discuss things across specialized fields. Rigorous discussions take place in the laboratory, but at the same time, there is an atmosphere of mutual respect for each other's opinions, which has been a great support in advancing my research. There are also opportunities to participate in research projects inside and outside the university and joint research with companies, allowing for the actual connection of academic knowledge with companies and government administration.

<After Completing Graduate School>

I feel that while some choose to proceed to Doctoral Programs and work at universities or research institutions, many others find employment as data scientists or consultants, utilizing their ability to statistically analyze data and rigorously understand causal relationships.

<A Message to Prospective Graduate Students>

Research is by no means easy, but the process of facing your own questions head-on and trying to understand the world through data is very exciting. The graduate school of Keio University is a place where you can deeply explore your interests and hone your expertise while connecting with a wide range of academic fields. For those who want to take research seriously, I believe it will surely be a time of rich learning.