My favorite phrase: One's course of action should be taken gracefully.

Q: Why did you choose this phrase?

In Eiji Yoshikawa's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," there is a scene in which Guan Yu, Liu Bei’s sworn brother, toughens because he lamenting that he is a wanderer despite his great ambitions. "Is it not difficult to not be too proud of your strengths when you are excelling, to not fall into despair when you are in the depths of despair, to not be moved or drowned by them, and to be able to move forward and backward with grace?" I want to be a person who embodies these words.

Q: What is your research topic?

I study a new interdisciplinary field called "computational social science," which uses big data and computational models to understand human behavior and social phenomena. In particular, I am working on a project about fake news, which is currently a serious social problem, and the echo chambers that serve as a breeding ground for it. I hope to develop information technology that facilitates diverse connections.

Q: How did you embark on your research?

I was inspired to work on the issue of fake news during my 2016 research abroad at Indiana University. I happened to be there when the US was divided and Trump was elected as President out of a storm of fake news. I wondered if it would be possible to scientifically understand how social fragmentation occurs and create technology to mitigate the spread of mis/disinformation.

Q: When do you realize that research is interesting or rewarding?

When the validity of my hypothesis is supported by computational models and data, I feel an irreplaceable joy. In addition, in computational social science, research is often conducted in a group, and I get excited when "sharp" ideas come about through discussions from various perspectives that I would not have come up with on my own. This is when I think, "Research is fun!"

Q: You have published a book, "The Science of Fake News (tentative translation)," and you have made numerous media appearances. What are some of the most memorable moments in your career?

When I appeared in the special feature on fake news for the Akira Ikegami Emergency Special, I was joined by comedian Teruyuki Tsuchida and rakugo storyteller Shiraku Tachikawa. When I saw how they ad-libbed and made appropriate comments at a good tempo in response to Mr. Ikegami's questions, I was impressed by their professionalism. It was also the moment I realized that I was not suited for TV.

Q: What do you do when you feel discouraged? How do you relieve stress?

I have a sensitive side, so I often feel discouraged. When that happens, I listen to "Tsuwamono, Hashiru" by the rock band B'z and inspire myself that “if the goal has not yet been met, it is not yet the end.” When I want to relieve stress, I go jogging while listening to my favorite songs, or go to my favorite coffee shop to relax because I like coffee.

Q: Please tell us about an experience that you can only talk about now.

When I was writing "The Science of Fake News" and received a second deadline prompt, I told the publisher, "I have almost finished it, but I need a little more time," and they agreed to extend the deadline. The truth is, I had not even written one chapter.

Q: What are your goals and ambitions for the future?

I would like to work harder on my research so that I can become one of the world's top researchers in computational social science. I would also like to challenge myself to collaborate not only with academic researchers but also with companies, and to try to link the results of basic research to innovation.