The Social Computational Linguistics Group in the Graduate School of Social Data Science at Hitotsubashi University conducts research in natural language processing (computational linguistics).
Our main research theme is the data-driven analysis of how language influences society and how society, in turn, influences language. We also pursue fundamental research into the principles that make linguistic communication possible and the mechanisms by which language is understood. In addition, we continuously work on the construction, development, and evaluation of datasets and toolkits for natural language processing.
We welcome students who are interested in studying and conducting research in natural language processing.
Exchange students: Contact mamoru.komachi@r.hit-u.ac.jp first. You can register for a seminar (semester-long) if you wish to do project-based research here.
Degree-seeking students: Apply to the Master's/Ph.D. programs in Social Data Science.
Internships / Visiting Students: We do not accept short-term research interns or visiting students, except for official exchange students from partner institutions under academic exchange agreements or applicants with a direct recommendation from my close academic collaborators/acquaintances.
Research Students (研究生): We accept non-degree research students only if you are a recipient of the MEXT Scholarship. We do not accept self-funded research students under any circumstances.
Exchange students: Japanese proficiency is not required (though speaking Japanese will definitely make your interactions with domestic students more enjoyable!).
Master's program: Submitting a JLPT N2 score is required at the time of application. While your research, advising, and thesis writing can be conducted entirely in English, and core courses are available in English, some coursework is taught exclusively in Japanese. Therefore, Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 is essential by the time of graduation, even if you have not formally passed the N2 exam prior to application. If you do not currently have a JLPT score sheet, please make sure to take the exam before applying.
Doctoral (Ph.D.) program: Japanese language proficiency is not required (JLPT score is not required for application or admission). Research, supervision, and degree completion can be conducted entirely in English.
Our graduate school does not offer autumn enrollment; new students are admitted only in April.
Master's Applicants: The entrance examination takes place in August–September. While the exam can be taken in English, please note that online examinations are not supported, so you will need to take it in person. The written exam covers Social Sciences and Statistics or Informatics. Note that Social Sciences is a mandatory requirement—you must choose and answer questions from one Social Science subject (Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, or Law), in addition to either Statistics or Informatics. Please prepare accordingly.
Ph.D. Applicants: The entrance examination takes place in February. There is no written exam. Selection is conducted via an interview based on your research proposal. The interview is held entirely in English and can be done online.
In Japan, graduate programs do not typically offer automatic full funding or living stipends upon admission. However, our lab plans to provide a Research Assistantship (RA) that roughly covers your tuition fees. For living expenses and other costs, securing external scholarships (e.g., JSPS Research Fellowships (DC) for Ph.D. students or private foundations) is highly competitive, so prospective students are expected to be financially prepared or have secured independent funding prior to enrollment.
The MEXT Scholarship via University Recommendation is strictly available only to students from partner institutions that have an official academic exchange agreement with Hitotsubashi University.
If you are selected through the MEXT Embassy Recommendation pathway, I can issue a Letter of Provisional Acceptance (内諾書). Since the selection process and timelines for Embassy Recommendation vary by country, please check the specific details and guidelines provided by the Embassy of Japan in your home country.