Symposium entitled “Regional Studies Based on Data Science” was held by the 3rd Committee (Humanities and Social Science) of the Council for Research Institutes and Centers of Japanese National Universities on October 23, 2020

Symposium entitled “Regional Studies Based on Data Science” was held by the 3rd Committee (Humanities and Social Science) of the Council for Research Institutes and Centers of Japanese National Universities on October 23, 2020.

Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC) hosted the meeting and Prof. Nobuhiro Tokitoh (Director & Vice President of Kyoto University, in charge of research, evaluation, and industry-government-academia collaboration) gave an opening address.

Under the theme of regional studies, three speakers reported on how data science using “Big Data” and “AI” is used from different perspectives.

In Report #1, Yuji Yoshimura (Project Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo) gave a report entitled “Potential of AI and Big Data in Architecture and Cities.” He introduced the machine-based automatic estimation of green spaces in the city using deep learning technology, and its application in a search app that suggests shady walking routes, and discussed how data science can contribute to architecture and city planning.

Yuji Yoshimura (Project Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo)

In Report #2, Yukiko Uchida (Professor, KRC) gave a report entitled “Research on Social Capital and Social Norms of Local Communities.” She introduced a study that demonstrated the function of collective activities, namely transmitting social norms, using a questionnaire survey conducted on over 7000 people in more than 400 local communities. Thereby, how data science can contribute to clarifying the formation and transmission of local culture as well as the nature of happiness in a region was discussed.

Yukiko Uchida (Professor, KRC)

In Report #3, Masaaki Okamoto (Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University) gave a report entitled “Twitter Analysis of Indonesia’s Presidential Election and Local Governance.” He presented a fieldwork survey on how campaigns used Twitter’s big data in Indonesia’s 2019 presidential election, along with an analysis of the actual big data. He also discussed how big data can be used to manipulate people and how the future of society will be.

Masaaki Okamoto (Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University)

As the discussant, Prof. Yoshinori Hiroi (Vice Director, KRC) commented on each report and made suggestions for future directions.

Prof. Yoshinori Hiroi (Vice Director, KRC)

Every report presented specific suggestions from different perspectives on how data science can contribute to regional studies, the humanities and social science, and how these fields should interact with big data and data science. Results from an online participant post-symposium survey showed high satisfaction with the presentations.

The video of this symposium will be uploaded to YouTube at a later date and it will be announced on KRC’s website.

[DATA]
▽Dates & Time
　October 23 (Friday), 13:00-15:00, held online (Zoom)

▽Attendee: 143

▽Program
13:00-13:05 Opening Remarks
Prof. Nobuhiro Tokitoh (Director & Vice President of Kyoto University, in charge of research, evaluation, and industry-government-academia collaboration)
13:05-13:35 Report #1: “Potential of AI and Big Data in Architecture and Cities”
Yuji Yoshimura (Project Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo)
13:35-14:05 Report #2: “Research on Social Capital and Social Norms of Local Communities”
Yukiko Uchida (Professor, KRC)
14:05-14:35 Report #3: “Twitter Analysis of Indonesia’s Presidential Election and Local Governance”
Masaaki Okamoto (Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University)
14:35-14:55 Discussant
Prof. Yoshinori Hiroi (Vice Director, KRC)　

Moderator: Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC)

2020/12/08