In recent years, the advancement of computer-based natural language processing technology has been remarkable. For instance, in machine translation, more than 100 languages can now be translated instantly and quite accurately. According to some sources, this level of translation ability is said to exceed a TOEIC score of 900. The development of such technology relies heavily on linguistic data (corpora). Corpora are also used in linguistics. For example, by using corpora that compile English from newspapers and the internet, researchers can examine conventional usages of English. By using corpora that focus on the English of infants and second-language learners, the English acquisition process can be studied. To conduct such corpus-based research, one must first understand the linguistic features of English—such as the basic principles of language function and cognitive ability, various usages of the language, and the culture and society surrounding it. I look forward to exploring the linguistic features of English through corpus-based research together with all of you.

I am conducting research on English grammar using corpus data and gathering information from informants. Why is that people can freely manipulate language? While this is a significant issue in linguistics, with various opinions put forth, I believe a satisfactory answer has yet to be found. I don't have an answer yet myself, but since language exists for people to communicate messages to others, it must, at the very least, be a reflection of how people view the world and interpret reality.

If the content of a message differs, this will naturally result in a change in the form through which it is expressed, and if the form differs, there must also be a difference in the meaning behind it.

Grounded in the age-old (perhaps old-fashioned) idea that "If the form is different, the meaning is different," I believe that observing and studying the nature of language is sure to be useful in the context of teaching English as a foreign language.

Reflecting on how differences in form and meaning affect English expressions can provide us with key insights for grammar learning and English education. It is from this approach that I would like to explore language with you.

I specialize in Spanish linguistics, with a primary focus on trends in tense and mood forms. While much of my recent work centers on modern Spanish, I also study earlier periods.

Here's one research example. You've likely learned that there are two types of the past subjunctive in Spanish—the -ra form and the -se form. Investigating how these two forms differ in usage and in which region they are used is one issue in modern Spanish. However, to explore why they came to have the same semantic function, one must examine older Spanish both semantically and statistically. Simply following the forms alone could lead us to make spurious correlations. For example, while the statistical claim that "drowning accidents increase as ice cream sales go up" is factually accurate, if we take this at face value, we might wrongly assume that ice cream causes drowning. In the same way, to determine the true cause behind the coexistence of these two forms, it's necessary to systematically examine not only the forms themselves but also their surrounding elements—like how "había + past participle" came to assume the indicative pluperfect function once held by -ra, the morphological and syntactic shifts in "haber + past participle," and semantic changes in haber and tener. Though it can be a meticulous and painstaking process, finally realizing that "the cause isn't the ice cream, but the temperature" can bring a great sense of accomplishment.

Most people probably have at least one painting they are inexplicably drawn to, regardless of what happens to be popular at the time—something that they could look at every day without growing tired of. Coming across such a painting is likely nothing more than coincidence. Research, too, begins with simple motivation. Wondering how something works, how it comes to be, or whether it might happen in a certain way—research is shaped through an accumulation of years of continually asking such questions. The driving force behind it is none other than curiosity and a desire to explore the subject. I focus on the indigenous people of colonial Mexico in my research. By carefully piecing together the fragments of what I've come to understand, I hope to present a fresh, fuller view of their world that leads to a more complete understanding of colonial society. The ever-changing perspectives at each stage of research are part of what makes it exciting. If there is something you're truly curious about, something you want to explore and develop, then I encourage you to keep pursuing it.

Researching Japanese linguistics sounds a bit difficult, does it not? However, we study not only classical texts but also modern Japanese grammar, honorifics, as well as Japanese used by the youth and in text messages. Japanese linguistics is a discipline that involves introspection into one's own native language. Of course, to write an original thesis grounded in prior research, constant self-improvement in day-to-day research is essential. For international students, studying Japanese as a foreign language might seem even more difficult, but there's no need to worry. Each student receives personalized support from both a primary and secondary advisor. When you finally understand a theoretical aspect of Japanese that had long puzzled you, the joy is indescribable. Personally, I became truly fascinated with the current focuses of my research—"sociolinguistics" and the "history of Japanese linguistics"—during my doctoral program. Thoroughly pursuing a single research topic and mastering a discipline leads to personal intellectual growth. I invite you to join us in sharing the joy of academic exploration here at Kansai Gaidai University Graduate School.

The world is currently entering a period of great upheaval, including the state of affairs in Ukraine, and we must pay close attention to how events will unfold. To work in such a complex international society, one must adopt a perspective grounded in respect for diverse values through understanding the cultures and societies of other countries. To achieve this, it is crucial to first understand one's own culture and society, and to objectively grasp the similarities and differences that exist with other countries.

This course offers all necessary lectures in English, enabling students to expand their global outlook. Moreover, the close proximity with instructors enables highly engaging lectures through active Q&A sessions. In addition, you can develop the skill of persuasively expressing your own views in English—an indispensable asset for working in international settings. My area of expertise is the Japanese economy. Japan's economy has faced numerous risks, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spread of COVID-19, and has remained stagnant. My research focuses on using data to conduct objective analysis of the causes behind this long-term economic stagnation. This course features a diverse faculty specializing not only in the Japanese economy but also in global political and economic analysis and the economic development of developing countries. If you are interested in analyzing complex global trends and want to play an active role in the international community, I invite you to join us in this course.

International relations today are shaped by a complex interplay of politics, economics, society, culture, religion, and technology. In the 21st century, the cross-border movement of people, goods, and money has increased dramatically, giving rise to the concept of a "borderless world." However, national borders have not truly disappeared, with conflicts over them still happening today. The Russia–Ukraine war and the Israel–Hamas conflict are clear examples. The complete abolition of nuclear weapons, which pose a threat to global security, remains a distant reality. Moreover, China's challenge to American hegemony is evident to all. As a scholar of international politics, I have focused on the U.S.–Japan alliance and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Looking ahead, as the decline of the United States becomes increasingly apparent, I believe Japan's position—caught between a waning America and a rising China—will be critically important.

Even seemingly chaotic political phenomena can be significantly better understood through the use of theory. This process can be likened to untangling, cutting, or reconnecting intricately intertwined threads. I invite you to aim to become someone able to study the dynamics of international relations and analyze contemporary issues in international politics here at Kansai Gaidai University Graduate School.