I study differential geometry of statistical manifolds.  Roughly speaking, in the world depicted by Riemannian geometry, in order to represent a space, for a curve the concept of straightness (connection, Levi-Civita connection) is derived from the concept of length (Riemannian metric). In other words, Riemannian geometry is a world in which connection is completely governed by Riemannian metric. The geometry of statistical manifolds explores how the world appears when these two concepts stand on more equal footing. If we do not set a single foundation, we will be faced with accepting things that we would not evaluate according to conventional standards of value. We wish to discover “beautiful discrepancies” through fresh perspectives.

I can’t say it was a turning point, but I think that I met many outstanding mathematicians during my time as a graduate student. If I had taken only one sample and assumed that I had to be as brilliant as Professor X to become a researcher, I might have given up on being a researcher as a career. Learning that fascinating mentors come in all types—that each possesses a different kind of brilliance—allowed me to think casually: perhaps somewhere within me, too, lies a small part that could contribute to the advancement of mathematical research.

My dream is proposing new values. I feel that increasing the number of results based on established, widely accepted standards can be left to capable people or AI. In science and art, what is important is whether it emanates from a deep part of the human spirit, and whether it is truly novel.