Masaki Kashiwara

Who is Masaki Kashiwara?

Masaki Kashiwara is a Japanese mathematician. He was a student of Mikio Sato at the University of Tokyo. Kashiwara made leading contributions towards algebraic analysis, microlocal analysis, D-module theory, Hodge theory, sheaf theory and representation theory.

Kashiwara and Sato established the foundations of the theory of systems of linear partial differential equations with analytic coefficients, introducing a cohomological approach that follows the spirit of Grothendieck theory of schemes. Bernstein introduced a similar approach in the polynomial coefficients case. Kashiwara's master thesis states the foundations of D-modules theory. His PhD thesis proves the rationality of the roots of b-functions, using D-module theory and resolution of singularities.

He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences and of the Japan Academy.