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Kobayashi Lab
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A lab that solves decision-making problems with mathematical optimization and machine learning.
AboutAbout the lab
Better decisions through the power of mathematics.
The Kobayashi Lab studies operations research, mathematical optimization, and machine learning.
These fields are closely related to one another, and the lab pursues research across them.
While keeping applications to real-world problems in view, the lab also values the theoretical side of models and algorithms.
Recently, the lab has been working on how to solve a class of problems called mixed-integer semidefinite optimization, and on "counterfactual explanations," which explain the predictions of machine learning.
Key terms
- Operations research
- A research field that uses mathematical methods to find rational solutions to the many kinds of decision-making problems in society
- Mathematical optimization
- A general term for methods that search, among the answers that satisfy given conditions, for the one that makes a target value smallest (or largest)
- Counterfactual explanation
- A method that shows the reasons behind a prediction by determining how the input would need to change to obtain a desired prediction result
NewsLab news
Associate Professor Kobayashi and colleagues receive the Case Study Award from the Operations Research Society of Japan
Paper by master's students accepted at the international conference PRICAI 2026
Paper by a master's student accepted at an international conference workshop
The lab begins full-scale activities as a lab
ResearchResearch themes
The Kobayashi Lab's main research fields are operations research, mathematical optimization, and machine learning. These fields have always been closely related, and the lab pursues research across them.
*Illustrative imageOperations Research
This field uses mathematical methods to find rational solutions to the many kinds of decision-making problems that arise in society. It is now widely used in decision making by companies and public institutions.
*Illustrative imageMathematical Optimization
This is a method of finding, among the answers that satisfy given conditions, the one that minimizes or maximizes a target value. Searching for the shortest route when changing trains is one example. The lab aims to develop methods that solve a broader range of problems faster.
*Illustrative imageMachine Learning
This is a technology that has computers learn patterns and regularities from large amounts of data. Building a model that fits the data well is itself a matter of solving an optimization problem, so machine learning is deeply connected to mathematical optimization.
*Illustrative imageMixed-Integer Semidefinite Optimization
These are optimization problems that combine conditions requiring some variables to take integer values with conditions on matrices. The lab studies general-purpose solution methods and specialized methods for quickly solving financial portfolio optimization.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Kobayashi Lab consist of faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorKen KobayashiPublications ↗
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Aerial photograph of the Port of Miami Container Port” James R. Tourtellotte / Public domain (cropped)
- Operations Research: “Bayport Container Terminal Aerial - Near Houston ( )” formulanone / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Mathematical Optimization: “Aerial photograph of Clapham Junction railway station” Mertbiol / CC0 (cropped)
- Machine Learning: “Racks Amravati Data Center” PiDatacenters / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Mixed-Integer Semidefinite Optimization: “Outside Tokyo Stock Exchange (98572)” Syced / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (中田研究室): “Train headway diagram ja” Tam0031 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (松井研究室): “Simplex-method-3-dimensions” User:Sdo / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (塩浦研究室): “Container Stacking, Port Of Onehunga” Ingolfson / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (井上祐樹研究室): “Coworking Space in Columbus Ohio” Benlande / CC0 (cropped)
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