OREANDA-NEWS. Kyushu University, Fujitsu Limited, and Fujitsu Laboratories Limited today announced that they have established the Fujitsu Social Mathematics Joint Research Unit. Operating from within Kyushu University's Institute of Mathematics for Industry, they will begin joint research on mathematical techniques for implementing social policies and programs that are fair and to which the public will be highly receptive.

In the past, there has been no way to appropriately take into account human behavior and psychology when designing public facilities, distribution systems, and other such policies and programs. This has sometimes led to poor user uptake, difficulties in use due to unexpected behaviors, and other problems. The new joint research department aims to solve these problems by conducting research that clarifies human behavior and psychology by bringing together social science research and mathematical techniques based on big data.

Positioning the joint research unit as a place for collaboration between industry and academia as well as for interdisciplinary academic research activities, Kyushu University, Fujitsu, and Fujitsu Laboratories seek to promote the development of methodologies and techniques for creating policies and programs to which the public will be highly receptive and that contribute to resolving social problems.