First of all, of course, you need to have enthusiasm. A quest for ultimate of substance and universe, a great discovery like Einstein --- everyone is apt to have great hope, respectively. However, you must realize that you can waik into a pitfall by contraries. Particle physics has completely changed from Einstein's days. The number of researchers has increased, and vast basic knowledge has become neccessary. If you hope for particle physics excessively, you will be completely exhausted before you acquire basic knowledge. Of course, you will be required to have a long-range vision of realizing your big dream when you will acquire basic knowledge. But you cannot carry out any investigation without broad and profound special knowledge, and without sober observation.

More important things than enthusiasm are coolness to face reality and broad interests in the whole physics. Particle physics is physical science as its name indicates. Even if you have enthusiasm to understand roots of substance and universe, you cannot carry on the investigation of particle physics without interests in physics. In the KEK theory group we investigate widespread research field --- phenomenological particle physics, supersymmetric unified theory, superstring theory and numerical simulation of lattice gauge theory. These subjects are closely related to each other. We are looking for the applicant who can soak up extensive knowledge while having one's own interest.

Finally we itemize more concretely the minimal requirements for admission to the particle physics group in the department of particle and nuclear physics in SOKENDAI.

1. The basic knowledge of physics, which undergraduate students learn in the physics department, such as (analytical) mechanics, electro-magnetics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and relativity.
   
   
2. Interests in the whole particle physics.
   You need to have interests in the whole particle physics. It is difficult for a person of narrow interests to acquire basic knowledge of particle physics. You also need to understand particle physics correctly.
3. Basic knowledge of field theory (3-year PhD course)
   Field theory is the basis of particle physics, and it is indispensable for investigation. Therefore, basic knowledge of field theory is neccesarry for admission to the 3-year PhD course in principle.