Supplement

Introduction to the Department of Statistical Science,
School of Multidisciplinary Sciences,
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies

"In Japan, inter-university research institutes have been established in various research fields as centers of advanced studies and large-scale joint researches since 1971 when National Laboratory for High Energy Physics was built as the first one. A novel idea of applying the excellent academic staff and facilities of inter-university research institutes to postgraduate education had been extensively discussed since 1982. Consequently it was decided to establish the Graduate University for Advanced Studies as a new postgraduate education system operated under close contact and tight cooperation with inter-university research institutes ("parent institutes"). The main purposes of the University are to cultivate young scientists of rich originality backed with wider vision and an international sense and also to promote fundamental research in the direction of opening up new scientific disciplines."

(from the President's Statement)

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies was thus established in October 1988 with seven institutes as parents. As of April 2004, the University has grown to have 18 parent institutes and 495 Ph.D. students. The organization is composed of 6 schools that comprise 22 departments and a center.

In the Department of Statistical Science, research and educational activities focus on the effective use of data for the realization of rational inferences or predictions, in the same way as in the construction and confirmation of scientific hypotheses. The subject area covers the theory and application of statistical science, such as fundamental statistical theory, statistical methodologies, and the theory of prediction and control.

Since its establishment, 48 Doctors of Philosophy have been conferred by the Department. As of April 2004, the Department has 23 students (normally regulated to 12 students per year).