Akira Sasahara - Appointed in AY2020
Participant Profile
Akira Sasahara
International Trade, International Macroeconomics2009: Graduated from the Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University 2011: Completed the Master's Program at the Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University 2017: Completed the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) in the Department of Economics, University of California, Davis. After serving as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the College of Business and Economics, University of Idaho, he has held his current position since 2020. *Profile and position are as of the time of the interview.
Akira Sasahara
International Trade, International Macroeconomics2009: Graduated from the Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University 2011: Completed the Master's Program at the Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University 2017: Completed the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) in the Department of Economics, University of California, Davis. After serving as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the College of Business and Economics, University of Idaho, he has held his current position since 2020. *Profile and position are as of the time of the interview.
International Trade Is a Field with a Good Balance between Theory and Empirical Evidence
How I Encountered My Research Theme
During my university years, I was drawn to the sound of the word "international" and decided to study international economics. This was because I grew up in an environment far removed from words like "international" or "global," and I had a strong admiration for such things. As I continued my studies, I developed a desire to delve deeper into the subject. As an undergraduate, I first learned regression analysis and was captivated by how interesting it was. I felt a great sense of joy in being able to analyze data and write papers on my own. Afterward, I went on to a master's program in Japan and a doctoral program in the United States. Inspired by many people along the way, I gradually came to realize the academic appeal of the field.
The Appeal and Interest of My Research Theme
For me, the appeal of international trade lies in how it has developed as a field of study through the mutual stimulation of theoretical and empirical research. Empirical research is based on foundational theoretical models, and new theoretical models are developed, prompted by the results of empirical research. I think it is a field with a very good balance between theory and empirical evidence. It also deals with extremely important issues. When I first aspired to a career in academia, there was not as much skepticism about globalization as there is today. However, now, especially in Europe and the United States, the impact of globalization on employment and income has become a very significant social issue. I am conducting my research with the hope that it will help to understand such problems and the current situation.
A Message for Students
At university, you can invest an enormous amount of time in what you love to do. If you already know what you love, please polish that skill. If you don't know what it is yet, I hope you find it as soon as possible. If you can persevere with it over the long term, it will surely bear fruit someday.
(Interview conducted in December 2020)