Nakatsuma Seminar『The Economics of Connection and Influence』
Please tell us about your specialty
I specialize in Bayesian Statistics. Bayesian Statistics is different from the statistics you learned
from Hiyoshi, but it is learned in the field of machine learning. I currently research the stock
market data analysis. We analyze the price formation mechanism of the stock market usingtransaction data that takes place in milliseconds.

『I wish I could convey to everyone the joy of research』
Please tell us about your student days
I was originally in engineering focusing on programming, mathematics, and conducting
fieldwork. Within engineering, I was very close to an area close to economics, and while taking
classes related to economics, I realized that economics is fun, and in my 3rd year of college I
decided to get my master’s degree. I especially studied econometrics and I found it very
interesting. I decided that I wanted to study more, so I attended Rutgers University to get myPhD.

『Economics is basically limitless. You can do anything!』
Tell us about your education philosophy
I want students that move voluntarily and with independence. If college students are only able tostudy when they are told to, there is no meaning in learning. So as my policy, I would likestudents to act voluntarily and independently. Borrowing Fukuzawa Sensei’s words, You musthave “independence and self-respect.”『Next time I think I’ll make something like a girls’ school』
What do you require from the incoming 2nd years?
Independence is a big part, but if you do not have skill, I will not accept you. The curriculum forthe faculty of Economics is very well structured. Everyone should have learned Statistics in yourfirst year. However, it would be even better if you have taken classes on Econometrics ormathematics in your second year. By taking this class, I want students to be well prepared. I
have always mentioned this in my information sessions and interviews.
One thing I am asking you for is to broaden your perspective. Today, you can collect a vast
amount of information through the internet. For example, you can take online seminars for free.
In such a way, I want students to look for a certain interest on fields and industries by browsing
through the internet.

『Putting all the useless things I did in my school days together makes me what I am today』
What do you look for during the application process?
I look for students that can voluntarily study with independence. To be able to do this, you needa couple of elements. First, as I mentioned earlier, you need to act independently and voluntarily.
You should be able to set your own goals and work towards it. I want students that aggressively
approach me and ask many questions. The second element is academic ability. Even if you get
accepted into the seminar, if you don’t have academic ability, you will be left behind. So, I lookat grade reports. In most cases the grade reports are good (Laugh). However, there are sometimes
students that are too focused on things they want to do rather than classes. Such students will
flourish once they join my seminar, so I also value interviews. I am not a complete GPA
supremacist. Overall, I like students that can independently work towards a goal.

What kind of activities do you do in your seminar?
As 3rd year students, I will group students to go in a rotation and read 1 academic paper andpresent about it in front of the class. The goal of our seminar is to write 1 academic research
paper per year. To be able to accomplish this, you need skills to write academic research papers
and knowledge on econometrics and finance. To be able to obtain this, you must read academic
research papers written by professionals. Through this process, you will learn what type ofknowledge you will need and what you are lacking to write an academic research paper. I will
have students realize what they are lacking and have them learn about the specific topic.
It is said that Nakatsuma Seminar is strong in the finding jobs, what is the secret?
Through the activities we do in my seminar, students can strengthen their presenting skills andtheir power to learn independently. Also, this year will be my 17th year having my seminar, soalumni’s that are working in fields especially in banking, have a high reputation and deepnetwork.
Final comments
Even during Covid, I want you to study properly and come to my seminar.
Sidenote:
This time we interviewed Nakatsuma seminar, which is known to be one of the hardest seminars
to enter. Through this interview, we found out that students in Nakatsuma seminar can learn
independently and have the academic ability to continue learning, so this is the reason whyNakatsuma Seminar is strong in job hunting. I hope this interview is helpful for students looking
to apply to Nakatsuma seminar and also use his words as guidance for your college life.
Thank you, Professor Nakatsuma, for the interview.