Student Spotlight: Motoyuki Yoshihara
November 10, 2025
Motoyuki Yoshihara is a doctoral student in applied economics and management from Boston, Massachusetts. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of California San Diego and now studies economics through the lens of housing under the guidance of Stuart Rosenthal at Cornell.
What is your area of research and why is it important?
I study economics through the lens of housing. While people often think economics is only about money, I believe it’s a broader study of human choice under finite resources. Investigating housing lets me look deeper into things such as the ecosystem of cities, real estate’s place in the macroeconomy, and my most recent work with how discrimination plays out alongside investor activity. Housing economics gives you a window into what people actually care about and how they behave when the stakes are real.
What are the larger implications of this research?
Housing is one of the most basic human needs, so its importance cuts across generations and borders. In the U.S., it’s the biggest asset most people own, which means it shapes major life decisions like when to retire or whether to move for a job. For young adults especially, its affordability has become a defining issue. We’ve already seen housing come up repeatedly in recent elections, and I can only see people’s concerns about it growing louder.
What branch of the military did you serve in?
I was in the Army throughout my career, having initially enlisted in high school as a way to pay for college. However, subsequent opportunities let me commission as an officer after college, as well as work with the Department of Defense during my study at Cornell. The military has a strong history of working alongside academia, such as the Statistical Research Group during World War II and RAND afterwards, and I am proud to help continue that tradition.
How has your military background influenced your experience at Cornell?
The Army has helped build good habits that get me through the ups and downs of the academic lifestyle. It has also helped me create a strong network of friends worldwide, and their perspectives help engage problems in a different light. In academia, it’s easy to get stuck in your own bubble, so having that broader view has been incredibly valuable.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of your research or scholarship?
Weightlifting is my daily routine to keep my body, along with my mind, moving and healthy. Between my work and school, I have opportunities to travel often, so I like engaging with local history and languages. But above all, I like spending my days with my corgi, Ringo!
Why did you choose Cornell to pursue your degree?
I chose Cornell because of the great researchers at the newly founded Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate. I can think of no better place to be the starting point of my academic career. Furthermore, I wanted to help construct its legacy by being one of the first students to graduate since its formation.