The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Osaka established the Research Center for Behavioral Economics in April 2004, building on its long-standing contributions to research in behavioral and experimental economics. The Center is the first research hub in Japan dedicated to behavioral economics.

In recent years, a growing body of empirical research has shown that human decision-making and behavior cannot be fully explained by the traditional assumptions about rationality in economics alone. In response to these developments, there is increasing recognition of the need to expand the range of analytical tools and data used in economics and to adopt diverse approaches in order to achieve a more systematic understanding of the mechanisms underlying human behavior.

To address social and economic issues that cannot be adequately analyzed using standard economic methods alone, the Center conducts interdisciplinary research on human behavior in collaboration with related fields, including sociology, law, psychology, and artificial intelligence. Through these efforts, the Center aims to contribute to the design of more effective economic policies and institutions.

The Center is staffed by full-time faculty members, international researchers, and specially appointed postdoctoral researchers, and is further supported by affiliated faculty from related departments within the University.