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As a super-aging society, health promotion activities in local Japanese communities are increasingly essential. Developing the health-promotion programs must include the perspective of older people residing in these communities and what they believe to be their regional strengths. This study aimed to clarify the elements of regional strengths perceived by older people living in local Japanese communities from the literature review. Using the internet edition of the Japan Medical Abstracts Society (Ichu-shi), the authors examined papers on Japanese regional residents using relevant keywords. Of 342 considered papers, 14 papers were extracted in this study. As a result, the contents related to the regional strengths perceived by the older people living in the local Japanese community were extracted, classified based on the similarity of the meanings and contents, and then summarized into the elements of the strengths. As the regional strengths, three categories were cited for individual elements: "Actions or behaviors underpinned by experience," "Continuing to live with positivity and vigor," and "Extensive support for the subject and their family." Three categories were cited for environmental elements: "A comfortable environment," "Maintaining intimate and friendly interpersonal relations," and "Support that meets the regional characteristics." Along with individual and environmental elements, support from experts in the region was cited. Hence, it was concluded that the active participation of experts is essential for promoting activities in local communities, and that deepening relationship with older people has the potential to improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of soft power has engendered lively discourse within the international community. The development of a nation's soft power frequently hinges on cultural communication and the promotion of language. This manuscript concentrates on Japan as a case study and undertakes an investigation of the methods it has employed to cultivate its soft power. To accomplish this objective, Japan's strategies for cultural communication and the promotion of the Japanese language are comprehensively examined. From the perspective of language planning, prestige planning of language and culture constitutes a crucial mode of cultural communication, whereas language education planning (or acquisition planning) is the primary method of language promotion. Japan has adeptly disseminated its culture overseas through cultural communication and language promotion. On one hand, it fashions a "cool culture" embodied by anime and manga to augment cultural appeal and amplify national image. On the other hand, it advances the Japanese language abroad by establishing supportive institutions, dispatching experts and volunteers, and creating online teaching materials. Building on Japan, this paper establishes a theoretical framework for the construction of soft power, employing the aforementioned two approaches as valuable guides for research on soft power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childfree adults neither have nor want children, but estimates of their prevalence vary widely, leading to ambiguity about how common this family status actually is. The goal of this study is to examine the effects of sample composition, time, and question wording on estimates of the prevalence of childfree adults. We pool 83 nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of childfree adults in Japan since 2000 using meta-regression to identify the influence of sex, marital status, year, and survey question. Prevalence estimates are higher when computed from samples of women than men, from samples of singles than married people, from samples collected more recently, and from surveys asking questions about expectations than wants. Most of the variation in estimates of the prevalence of childfree adults can be attributed to differences in sample composition, time, and question wording. Taking these factors into account, we estimate that over 2.5 million Japanese adults age 18-50, or 5.64% of this population, were childfree in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acceptance of ethical literary criticism in Japan has gone through three stages: initial period, high period and falling period. The main reason for its decline lies in the prevalent misunderstanding in Japanese academia, simply equating ethical literary criticism with Chinese traditional ethical criticism or moral criticism. To dispel misunderstandings and deepen Japanese scholars' understanding of ethical literary criticism, it is necessary to emphasize the interdisciplinary characteristic of ethical literary criticism within the academic community in Japan. Taking into account the characteristics of Japanese literature and the research tradition of Japanese academia, this paper suggests three interdisciplinary approaches: 1) the interdisciplinary path of literature and psychology, which enjoys a broad research base in Japan; 2) the interdisciplinary path of literature and brain science, an area that has not gained substantial research in Japan; 3) the interdisciplinary path of literature and science and technology with significant development prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese children had to live with strict mitigation measures at school, such as eating school lunches silently and wearing masks during physical exercise classes, even after those mitigation measures have been relaxed worldwide. Excursions and other school events were frequently cancelled, especially in 2020 and 2021. This study conducts a retrospective survey on school experiences to understand how the strict mitigation measures were related to children's mental health and well-being. Results revealed school excursion cancellation to be associated with a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms {odds ratio [OR] 1.543 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.109–2.148]}, and high cancellation rate of other school events to be associated with dissatisfaction in school experience [OR 1.650 (95% CI 1.222–2.228)]. In the subsample analysis, we found that girls and children with no extracurricular activities tended to exhibit depressive symptoms due to the cancellation of school excursions. Overall, the study demonstrated that persistent strict mitigation measures at schools might be a key factor in understanding children's mental health and psychological well-being during a long-lasting pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physical Education Journal is the property of National Society of Physical Education of the Republic of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Public administration and governance must adapt to the changing socio-economic environment, improving quality, process efficiency, and collaboration. Hence, public administration and public governance models have been significantly modified multiple times, resulting in differences in public governance practices. This paper examines different public governance models' principles in Slovene and Japanese public administration. It quantifies elements based on the models' principles and applies them to an empirical case using a survey of 55 Slovene and 135 Japanese public managers. The independent samples t-test examines the differences in characteristics of public governance practices between state administration and local government in Slovenia and Japan. The results show that state administration institutions in both countries are strongly characterised by the (Neo)Weberian model's principles, while Slovenia's local government leans towards Digital-era governance (DEG) and good governance (GG) principles. Japan's state and local administrations show equal presence of New public management (NPM), DEG, and GG models. The study aims to bridge a research gap by providing new findings on how different public governance models can be found at various Slovene and Japanese public administration levels and offers insights for public managers and policymakers for future public administration reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few areas in our daily lives that have not been changed by the rapid growth of technology. Like many others, education has seen some of its effects and with other factors such as the Coronavirus, many teachers and institutions have been forced to change their pedagogical methodologies. A combination of the technological advances and the new methodologies has been reflected in the use of video games as educational tools across the world. This text will try to explore the question of adopting gaming into education in Japan. Explore its possible benefits by measuring the test results of students in different stages of their educational lives from primary to tertiary education. The goals of this paper are to try to find if there is a noticeable difference and benefit from this new type of pedagogical approach. How does Japan compare to other countries regarding the adoption of gaming as an educational tool? What are the student's opinions and sentiments towards it with the objective of providing the best possible result in students' motivation? The results found through observational data show some promising prospects in the adoption of gaming as an educational tool, but also some of the lack of technology adoption and the negative image that gaming has in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cognitive distortion scale (CDS) is a self-rated measure to assess the degree of cognitive distortion which is 10 thinking errors commonly seen in depression. However, there is no scale to measure 10 types cognitive distortions specific to depression in Japan. Therefore, this study translated the CDS into Japanese (CDS-J), and examined its factor structure, validity, and reliability in a Japanese population. A total of 237 healthy individuals and 39 individuals with depression participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the appropriateness of the CDS-J's 10-factor structure. Regarding convergent validity, CDS-J was significantly correlated with dysfunctional attitudes, negative automatic thoughts, and depression. Regarding discriminant validity, the CDS-J showed no significant correlation with positive automatic thoughts. The total CDS-J scores of the healthy participants and of those with major depression were compared. The results showed significant differences between groups. Finally, the CDS-J was found to have a high test--retest reliability. Therefore, the CDS-J is a valid and reliable tool for assessing cognitive distortions in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A decrease in populations could affect healthcare access and systems, particularly in medically underserved areas (MUAs) where depopulation is becoming more prevalent. This study aimed to simulate the future population and land areas of MUAs in Japan. Methods: This study covered 380,948 1 km meshes, 87,942 clinics, and 8354 hospitals throughout Japan as of 2020. The areas outside a 4 km radius of medical institutions were considered as MUAs, based on the measure of areas in the current Japanese Medical Care Act. Based on the population estimate for a 1 km mesh, the population of mesh numbers of MUAs was predicted for every 10 years from 2020 to 2050 using geographic information system analysis. If the population within a 4 km radius from a medical institution fell below 1000, the institution was operationally assumed to be closed. Results: The number of MUAs was predicted to decrease from 964,310 (0.77% of the total Japanese population) in 2020 to 763,410 (0.75%) by 2050. By 2050, 48,105 meshes (13% of the total meshes in Japan) were predicted to be new MUAs, indicating a 31% increase in MUAs from 2020 to 2050. By 2050, 1601 medical institutions were tentatively estimated to be in close proximity. Conclusions: In Japan, the population of MUAs will decrease, while the land area of MUAs will increase. Such changes may reform rural healthcare policy and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors have been increasingly used in ovarian cancer treatment. However, the real-world safety data of these drugs in Japanese patients are limited. This retrospective study included 181 patients with ovarian cancer who received olaparib or niraparib at two independent hospitals in Japan between May 2018 and December 2022. Clinical information and blood sampling data were collected. Regarding patient backgrounds, the olaparib group had higher proportions of patients with serous carcinoma, BRCA positivity, homologous recombination deficiency, and those receiving maintenance therapy after recurrence treatment than the niraparib group. Regarding toxicity properties, the most common reasons for discontinuation in the olaparib group were anemia, fatigue, and nausea, while the reason in the niraparib was thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia caused by niraparib treatment occurred earlier than anemia caused by olaparib treatment. Patients with a low body mass index or who had undergone several previous treatment regimens were more likely to discontinue treatment within the first 3 months. Although we analyzed blood collection data, predicting treatment interruptions due to blood toxicity was challenging. In this study, we revealed the characteristics of patients and the timing of interruptions for each drug, highlighting the importance of carefully managing adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: As part of the Toon Health Study, which is an ongoing population‐based cohort study, we aimed to develop a prediction model for N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in a general Japanese population. We sought to explore the influence of various demographic and clinical factors on NT‐proBNP levels and assess the model's performance. In addition, our objectives included internal validation and investigation of the diagnostic potential of the observed‐to‐predicted NT‐proBNP ratio (OPR) at baseline for predicting the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results: In this prospective cohort study, participants were recruited from Toon City, Japan, as part of the larger Toon Health Study, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors. We measured the NT‐proBNP levels and used linear regression with penalization (ridge regression) to develop the model. The model incorporated 10 prespecified predictors (age, gender, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, haemoglobin, albumin, total cholesterol, haemoglobin A1c, and estimated glomerular filtration rate) and underwent assessment using R2 and root mean squared error (RMSE). Internal validation was conducted through bootstrapping. In a post hoc analysis, we explored the OPR's diagnostic potential using 5 year follow‐up data (n = 636) to predict the elevation of NT‐proBNP > 125 pg/mL at the 5 year follow‐up as the risk of HFpEF. A total of 2505 participants (age: 60.4 ± 12.9 years, men: 35%) were enrolled in this study. There was a linear relationship between the observed and predicted values of NT‐proBNP in which the logarithm of observed NT‐proBNP was <6, which corresponds to 403 pg/mL in NT‐proBNP. The prediction model demonstrated satisfactory performance (R2: 0.291, RMSE: 0.688), with age identified as a dominant predictor. The stability of the model was underscored by the internal validation. The OPR at baseline predicted NT‐proBNP > 125 pg/mL at the 5 year follow‐up with an area under the curve of 0.793. Conclusions: This study introduces the first prediction model for NT‐proBNP in a general Japanese population. Although the model has acceptable performance, ongoing refinement is essential. Our transparent approach to model development, alongside a web‐based interactive tool, lays the groundwork for further improvements and external validation. The OPR holds potential for predicting the future risk of HFpEF. This research contributes to understanding the nuanced influence of patient backgrounds on levels of NT‐proBNP in asymptomatic individuals within the context of a broader population‐based cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life. Herein, we aimed to determine the association between Internet use among older individuals and locomotive syndrome (LS), frailty, and sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study conducted between July 2022 and March 2023, we recruited 105 community-dwelling older Japanese adults who participated in a care prevention project called "Kayoi-no-ba". All participants were divided into Internet and non-Internet user groups according to the classification of a previous study. We assessed LS (standing test, two-step test, and five-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale), frailty (through the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old), and sarcopenia (grip strength, normal walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass index) and made group comparisons between Internet users and non-users. Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed with Internet use as the independent variable and sarcopenia or LS as the dependent variables. The Internet and non-Internet user groups had 69 and 36 participants, respectively. The Internet user group comprised 65.7% of all participants, which was similar to that reported in a previous study of the same age group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in sarcopenia and LS items, whereas adjusted binomial logistic analysis showed a significant association between sarcopenia and Internet use. In summary, among LS, frailty, and sarcopenia, sarcopenia showed the highest association with Internet use. Older adults without sarcopenia having good physical functions, such as grip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle index, more likely used the Internet; while older adults with sarcopenia were less likely to use the Internet. This implied that Internet use may be associated with physical function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a Western diet has been identified as a risk factor for Crohn's disease (CD), there is still controversy surrounding the specific foods that may contribute to the development of the disease. In this study, we examined the association between food intake and the prevalence of CD in Japan, as Japanese patients with CD are known to have limited genetic involvement. We identified changes in food intake associated with an increase in the number of patients with CD by analyzing the per capita consumption of food types from 1981 to 2014. Additionally, we examined the association between CD prevalence and food intake in each prefecture. Finally, the relationship between food intake and estimated age at CD onset was also investigated. Between 1981 and 2014, we observed Increased consumption of meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, oil, and potatoes and decreased consumption of grains, beans, vegetables, fruit, fish, sugar, and seaweed. The annual incidence of CD increased by 1388% over the same period. We found that meat consumption was significantly associated with CD prevalence (β = 0.503, p = 0.0003), while a significant negative correlation was observed between CD prevalence and fruit and vegetable consumption (fruit, β = 0.464, p = 0.0012; vegetables, β = 0.404, p = 0.0023). Furthermore, we estimated that the peak consumption of more meat and less fruit and vegetables and the peak age of CD onset occurred within the age range of 20–24 years. Our study identified a clear correlation between the consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables and the prevalence of CD in Japan. Additionally, we found an association between meat, fruit, and vegetable consumption and the age at CD onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age-standardized incidence of head trauma in 2016 was 369 per 100,000 people worldwide. The Western Pacific region, including Japan, had the highest incidence. This study aimed to extract ICD-10 code data for intracranial injury (S06) and external causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y89), analyze their characteristics and interrelationships, and contribute to these diseases' prevention, treatment, and prognosis. The number of deaths according to injury type and external cause type of intracranial injury published by the Japanese government was statistically analyzed using JoinPoint, and univariate distribution and multivariate correlation were conducted using JMP Software. From 1999–2021, there was a downward trend in the number of deaths because of intracranial injuries: mortality from intracranial injuries was higher among those aged ≥65 years. Conversely, mortality from intracranial injuries was lower among those aged ≤14 years. Among deaths from intracranial injury, mortality from diffuse brain injury and traumatic subdural hemorrhage was more common. Among deaths from external causes of intracranial injury, mortality from falls, transport accidents, and other unforeseen accidents was more common. Mortality because of intracranial injuries increased significantly during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. For some age groups and sexes, there were significant inverse correlations of mortality with traumatic subdural hemorrhage and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage for transport accidents, intentional self-harm and assault, and diffuse brain injury and focal brain injury for falls. We believe that the data presented in this study will be useful for preventing and treating intracranial injuries and for developing administrative measures to reduce intracranial injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the patterns of educational attainment and first employment among young Japanese, and their effects on the likelihood of first marriage, using micro-level data drawn from a national family survey in 2004 and its follow-up in 2007. Attainment of higher education increased dramatically in postwar Japan, and such gains were especially notable for women. Meanwhile, regular employment has decreased, and temporary employment has risen rapidly among young Japanese since the 1990s. The study reveals that obtaining regular employment as the first job strongly enhances the likelihood of first marriage for both genders although the marriage-enhancing effect is stronger for men than for women. First entry to the labor market as a temporary worker also significantly diminishes the likelihood of first marriage for men. Like other industrialized economies in Asia, improving educational attainment is found to be a factor causing declining first marriage among young Japanese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite encouraging multi-generational cohabitation, the population of Japanese people living alone has increased. However, little is known about the association between health and multigenerational cohabitation. This study examined the relationship between self-rated health and living arrangements among Japanese adults using data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (2013-2017). The analysis employed multivariate logistic regression to examine the associations. Our results showed no association between living arrangements and self-rated health when stratified by gender. Living alone was found to be associated with poor self-rated health among women aged 65 and above. A similar association may exist among men in the same age group. Among women aged < 65 years, two-generation cohabitation was associated with a good self-rated health, similar to those living alone. Among men aged < 65 years, neither living alone nor two-generation cohabitation was significantly associated with good self-rated health. We found no association between three- or plus-generation cohabitation and self-rated health. Therefore, our findings indicate associations between multigenerational cohabitation and self-rated health, but they vary by gender and age. Invested stakeholders in the public health field should consider the potential impact of living arrangements on health based on gender and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is widespread concern about declining literacy skills in recent young Japanese. The present study investigated how higher-level reading and writing proficiencies are underpinned by basic literacy skills in Japanese adolescents. From a large database of the most popular literacy exams in Japan, we retrospectively analyzed word- and text-level data for middle and high school students who had taken the exams during the same period in the 2019 academic year using structural equation modeling. We extracted main data for 161 students as well as six independent datasets for validation. Our results validated the three-dimensional view of word-level literacy (reading accuracy, writing accuracy, and semantic comprehension) and demonstrated that writing and semantic skills underpinned text writing and reading, respectively. The semantic comprehension of words affected text writing indirectly via text reading; however, it could not replace the direct effect of word writing accuracy. These findings, which were robustly replicated with multiple independent datasets, provided new evidence of dimension-specific relationships between word- and text-level literacy skills and confirmed the unique contribution of word handwriting acquisition to text literacy proficiency. The replacement of handwriting by digital writing (e.g., typing) is a global trend. However, the dual-pathway model of literacy development identified in this study suggests there are advantages in sustaining early literacy education by handwriting for the growth of higher-level language skills in future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed S-268019-b, a recombinant spike protein vaccine with a squalene-based adjuvant, for superiority in its immunogenicity over ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine among adults in Japan. In this multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded, phase 3 study, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–naïve participants (aged ≥ 18 years, without prior infection or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2) were randomized (1:1) to receive either S-268019-b or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 as two intramuscular injections given 28 days apart. Participants who provided consent for a booster administration received S-268019-b at Day 211. The primary endpoint was SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) titer on Day 57; the key secondary endpoint was the seroconversion rate for SARS-CoV-2 NAb titer on Day 57. Other endpoints included anti–SARS-CoV-2 S-protein immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody titer and safety. The demographic and baseline characteristics were generally comparable between S-268019-b (n = 611) and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (n = 610) groups. S-268019-b showed superior immunogenicity over ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, based on their geometric mean titers (GMTs) and GMT ratios of SARS-CoV-2 NAb on Day 57 by cytopathic effect assay (GMT [95% confidence interval {CI}] 19.92 [18.68, 21.23] versus 3.63 [3.41, 3.87]; GMT ratio [95% CI] 5.48 [5.01, 6.00], respectively; two-sided p-values < 0.0001). Additionally, NAb measured using a cell viability assay also showed similar results (GMT [95% CI] 183.25 [168.04, 199.84] versus 24.79 [22.77, 27.00]; GMT ratio [95% CI] 7.39 [6.55, 8.35] for S-268019-b versus ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, respectively; p < 0.0001). The GMT of anti–SARS-CoV-2 S-protein IgG antibody was 370.05 for S-268019-b versus 77.92 for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 on Day 57 (GMT ratio [95% CI] 4.75 [4.34, 5.20]). Notably, immune responses were durable through the end of the study. S-268019-b elicited T-helper 1 skewed T-cell response, comparable to that of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. After the first dose, the incidence of solicited systemic treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was higher in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, but after the second dose, the incidence was higher in the S-268019-b group. Headache, fatigue, and myalgia were the most commonly reported solicited systemic TRAEs, while pain at the injection site was the most frequently reported solicited local TRAE following both doses in both groups. No serious treatment-related adverse serious TRAEs events were reported in the two groups. S-268019-b was more immunogenic than ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and was well tolerated (jRCT2051210151). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth loss is prevalent in older adults and associated with functional capacity decline. Studies on the susceptibility of some individuals to the effects of tooth loss are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of the association between tooth loss and higher-level functional capacity in older Japanese individuals employing a machine learning approach. This is a prospective cohort study using the data of adults aged ≥65 y in Japan (N = 16,553). Higher-level functional capacity, comprising instrumental independence, intellectual activity, and social role, was evaluated using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC). The scale ranged from 0 (lowest function) to 13 (highest function). Doubly robust targeted maximum likelihood estimation was used to estimate the population-average association between tooth loss (having <20 natural teeth) and TMIG-IC total score after 6 y. The heterogeneity of the association was evaluated by estimating conditional average treatment effects (CATEs) using the causal forest algorithm. The result showed that tooth loss was statistically significantly associated with lower TMIG-IC total scores (population-average effect: −0.14; 95% confidence interval, −0.18 to −0.09). The causal forest analysis revealed the heterogeneous associations between tooth loss and lower TMIG-IC total score after 6 y (median of estimated CATEs = −0.13; interquartile range = 0.12). The high-impact subgroup (i.e., individuals with estimated CATEs of the bottom 10%) were significantly more likely to be older and male, had a lower socioeconomic status, did not have a partner, and had poor health conditions compared with the low-impact subgroup (i.e., individuals with estimated CATEs of the top 10%). This study found that heterogeneity exists in the association between tooth loss and lower scores on functional capacity. Implementing tooth loss prevention policy and clinical measures, especially among vulnerable subpopulations significantly affected by tooth loss, may reduce its burden more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a highly urbanized country, Japan is facing the phenomenon of a continuous migration of young people from rural areas to cities, leading to an aging and decreasing population in rural communities. Influenced by the pandemic, people began to reconsider the issue of population concentration in large cities, causing urban residents to become interested in returning to rural areas. The focus of this study is on the perceptions and relocation intentions of Japanese youth towards rural areas, particularly in Hanyu-shi, Saitama Prefecture. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 urban university students who live in urban areas, this study explores the factors that attract or hinder them from having rural lives. The survey results show that childhood experiences and current lifestyle preferences have influenced their views on rural areas. The main hindering factors include backwards infrastructure, communication difficulties, and limited job prospects. This study reveals a significant cognitive gap in urban youth's attitudes towards rural life in Japan. The study emphasizes the need to eliminate these hindrances and enhance the attractiveness of rural areas to promote reverse urban migration. This study provides important insights for policymakers and urban planners, highlighting the necessity of formulating development strategies that meet the needs of urban youth residents, which is crucial for the sustainable revitalization of rural Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have been increasingly used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, with BRCA positivity and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) being common biomarkers used for predicting their efficacy. However, given the limitations of these biomarkers, new ones need to be explored. Methods: This retrospective study included 181 ovarian cancer patients who received olaparib or niraparib at two independent hospitals in Japan between May 2018 and December 2022. Clinical information and blood sampling data were collected. Patient characteristics, treatment history, and predictability of treatment duration based on blood data before treatment initiation were examined. Results: High‐grade serous carcinoma, BRCA positivity, HRD, and maintenance therapy after recurrence treatment were observed more frequently in the olaparib group than in the niraparib group. The most common reasons for treatment interruption were anemia, fatigue, and nausea in the olaparib group and thrombocytopenia in the niraparib group. Regarding response to olaparib treatment, complete response to the most recent treatment, maintenance therapy after the first chemotherapy, high‐grade serous carcinoma, and germline BRCA positivity were observed significantly more frequently among responders than among non‐responders. Furthermore, neutrophil counts were significantly higher among responders than among non‐responders. Conclusions: Inflammation‐related blood data, such as neutrophil count, obtained at the initial pre‐treatment visit might serve as potential predictors for prolonged olaparib treatment. While this study offers valuable insights into potential indicators for prolonged olaparib treatment, it underscores the need for more expansive research to strengthen our understanding of PARP inhibitors and optimize treatment strategies in ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The association of physical activity with the risk of bladder cancer remains inconsistent among Asian populations. We aimed to examine the association in a large Japanese cohort. Materials and Methods In a population-based prospective cohort study, a total of 50,374 Japanese adults aged 40-79 years without a history of cancer or cardiovascular disease who had information on physical activity from self-administrated questionnaires were used for analysis. We performed Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident bladder cancer after adjusting for several potential confounders. Results During the median 17.5 years of follow-up, 153 incident bladder cancers (116 men and 37 women) were identified. After the multivariable adjustment, HRs (95% CI) of bladder cancer concerning those with recreational sports participation of 1-2 hr/wk, 3-4 hr/wk, and 5 hr/wk and more were 0.67 (0.38-1.20), 0.79 (0.36-1.74), and 0.28 (0.09-0.89), respectively (p for trend=0.017). Compared with mostly sitting at the workplace, occupational physical activity of standing and walking were associated with a lower risk of bladder cancer (HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.85]). Hours of daily walking were not associated with the risk. The lower risk of bladder cancer was more evident for recreational sports (HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.10 to 1.00]), and for occupational standing and walking activity at work (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.33 to 0.98]) among men. Conclusion Recreational sports participation and occupational physical activity were inversely associated with the risk of bladder cancer among Japanese, especially in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin and purpose of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution seem shrouded in secrecy. This paper places Article 9 in the context of the UN Charter and peace constitutions which were emerging globally that aimed to limit state sovereignty in favor of international organization and the renunciation of war in the aftermath of WWII (Schlichtmann 2009b). It is a provision the Japanese people have upheld for more than seventy years. With the gradual return of block confrontation during the 1990s and the revival of the 'balance of power' concept, however, Japan came under pressure to change its Constitution and participate in military defense alliances. This has led to a noticeable shift in policy. Although Shidehara Kijūrō (1872–1951) had been well-known and respected for his peace diplomacy as foreign minister during the interwar period, it soon became expedient to deny him any direct involvement in the drafting of Article 9 when he was Prime Minister after the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan formulated its first infrastructure export strategy in 2010. However, the outputs and effects of that strategy and its successive revisions over the preceding decade have not yet been extensively reviewed. Although infrastructure came to the fore of the international agenda over the past decade, existing research has mostly discussed individual infrastructure projects and accompanying signalling, sloganeering, and strategic communications in the geopolitical and geo-economic context. This paper therefore aims to make an empirical and interpretive contribution to existing scholarship by comprehensively reviewing Japan's infrastructure exports in 2010–19 and elucidating further its oft-disregarded commercial and developmental aspects. To do so, this article focuses on Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan projects, which count among the largest items of Japan's infrastructure exports. We introduce and analyse a previously unexamined dataset on infrastructure-related ODA loan projects and contract awards, while also showcasing the avoidance of zero-sum-game approaches in Japan's related strategy. We then discuss whether and how the changes of Japanese infrastructure export strategy affected the performance of Japan's infrastructure export through the ODA loan projects as well as Japan's relationship with the recipient countries, especially in the various parts of the Indo-Pacific region, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Suleyman Demirel University Institute of Social Sciences is the property of Suleyman Demirel University, Institute of Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting the small intestine that is caused by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The development of celiac disease is based on a complex immune response to gluten proteins. The global average prevalence in the general population is about 1%. In recent years, it has become clear that celiac disease is not less common in Asian countries than in Western countries but often remains undiagnosed. Although the number of patients with celiac disease in Asia is expected to increase with improving disease recognition and advances in diagnostic techniques, there remain few reports of celiac disease in the Far East region of Asia, especially in Japan. In this paper, we outline the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease. In addition, we summarize the reported Japanese cases of celiac disease with an overview in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As Japan has been slowly opening up to foreign workers to supplement its shrinking workforce, local employees have had to deal with increased diversity at work, owing to the presence of foreign coworkers. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between foreign coworkers' nationality (specifically Chinese, Korean and those from Western countries) and the perception of the benefits and threats of cultural diversity in the workplace by Japanese employees. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of Japanese employees working in Japan, half of which working with foreigners, was used, focusing on those Japanese employees who reported working with foreign coworkers of a single nationality. Findings: The authors found that Japanese workers' perceived benefits of cultural diversity at work, but not perceived threats, are significantly impacted by the unique nationality of their foreign coworkers. Specifically, the effect of coworker nationality is most apparent for the two benefits of "understanding of diverse groups in society" and "social environment," whereby cultural distance is significantly and positively related to these perceived benefits. And more benefits from cultural diversity at work are perceived by Japanese employees in the presence of Western or Chinese, rather than South Korean coworkers. Practical implications: In the Japanese context, hiring employees from certain distant and heterogeneous cultures and nationalities could increase the positive perception of multiculturalism at work, therefore facilitating diversity management and fostering inclusion in the culture of the firm. Originality/value: Very little research in Japan has examined perception biases among native employees based on the nationality of their foreign coworkers, which is critical as globally minded Japanese firms are trying to increase their level of internal internationalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Heterozygous dominant-negative (DN) STAT1 variants are responsible for autosomal dominant (AD) Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). In this paper, we describe eight MSMD cases from four kindreds in Japan. Methods: An inborn error of immunity-related gene panel sequencing was performed using genomic DNA extracted from whole blood samples. The identified variants were validated using Sanger sequencing. Functional analysis was evaluated with a luciferase reporter assay and co-transfection assay in STAT1-deficient cells. Results: Patient 1.1 was a 20-month-old boy with multifocal osteomyelitis and paravertebral abscesses caused by Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Although the paravertebral abscess was refractory to antimycobacterial drugs, the addition of IFN-γ and drainage of the abscess were effective. Intriguingly, his mother (patient 1.2) showed an uneventful clinical course except for treatment-responsive tuberculous spondylitis during adulthood. Patient 2.1 was an 8-month-old boy with lymphadenopathy and lung nodules caused by BCG. He responded well to antimycobacterial drugs. His mother (patient 2.2) was healthy. Patient 3.1 was a 11-year-old girl with suspected skin tuberculosis. Her brother (patient 3.2) had BCG-osis, but their mother (patient 3.3) was healthy. Patient 4 was an 8-month-old girl with left axillary and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy associated with BCG vaccination. Kindreds 1, 2, and 3 were shown to have novel heterozygous variants (V642F, R588C, and R649G) in STAT1, respectively. Kindred 4 had previously reported heterozygous variants (Q463H). A luciferase reporter assay in STAT1-deficient cells followed by IFN-γ stimulation confirmed that these variants are loss-of-function. In addition, with co-transfection assay, we confirmed all of these variants had DN effect on WT STAT1. Conclusion: Four kindred MSMD subjects with 3 novel variants and 1 known variant in STAT1 were identified in this study. AD STAT1 deficiency might be prevalent in Japanese patients with BCG-associated MSMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What shapes preferences for income redistribution? Studies find that social identification plays an important role. In this paper, I argue that in-group favoritism generated through income proximity and out-group discrimination stemming from a nation/foreigner cleavage affect redistribution preference. Using data from a survey experiment with 4,002 Japanese citizens, I examined whether priming the poor as recipients of public assistance (or Seikatsu Hogo) generates more (less) support for income redistribution among the poor (the wealthier) and whether priming foreigners as public assistance recipients decreases support for redistribution. Analyses reveal that respondents with annual household income of 5–10 million yen negatively respond to the treatment priming the poor as public assistance recipients. Results also indicate that priming foreigners as public assistance recipients decreases support for redistribution. These findings corroborate previous research that finds evidence from North America and Europe. Analyzing a sample from Japan offers the external validity because the recent rise in income disparity in Japan involves unique characteristics including pauperization of low-income groups without enriching the wealthy. A rapid increase in the inflow of immigrants to Japan necessitates the need to study how Japanese people shape their redistribution preference in response to a growing number of foreign residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bon, or more politely O-Bon, is the Japanese term for a regionally different midsummer festival celebrated not only throughout Japan but also in other Buddhist Asian countries. In Japan, it has changed over time and is essentially a mélange of ancestor worship, rural Thanksgiving customs, ghost beliefs, folk religion, superstitions and the Buddhist celebration of the temporary release of the spirits from hell. During the Edo period, O-Bon gained popularity, as it gave those employed in urban areas a rare chance to reunite with their families in the countryside, meet friends, revel, and pray for ancestral spirits and deceased loved ones. Celebrations differ from region to region, but they all include eating, drinking, and lots of merrymaking to entertain the living as well as the visiting spirits. Since the 7th century, O-Bon has been held on the full moon of the seventh lunar month, usually around the 15th day. The old calendar is still the basis for the calculations behind the traditional Chinese festival calendar used in both mainland China and Taiwan. However, since Japan adopted the solar Gregorian calendar in 1873, Japan became divided into different areas: some celebrating O-Bon in July (Shichigatsu-Bon, 七月盆), some regions sticking to the old lunar calendar with movable holidays, and some areas holding a Hachigatsu-Bon (八月盆) from August 13th to 15th. During the Edo period, Nagasaki's Japanese O-Bon and Chinese O-Bon fell on the same dates. Due to the calendar reform, they came to be held on separate days. As a result, Nagasaki now celebrates two festivals: 1. a movable lunar O-Bon in July, locally called Karadera-Bon (唐寺盆) or Achasan no Bon (アチャさんの盆or 阿爹さんの盆) with strong connections to the city's Chinese temples and traditions, where it is called Yúlánpén (盂蘭盆) and 2. a Hachigatsu-Bon, celebrated by Japanese citizens, which reflects Nagasaki's' unique culture, history and customs. In this paper, I would like to shed some light on the origins, religious aspects, traditions, practices, and social function of Nagasaki's' two O-Bon celebrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voice assistants (VAs) are becoming a feature of our everyday life. Yet, the user experience (UX) is often limited, leading to underuse, disengagement, and abandonment. Co-designing interactions for VAs with potential end-users can be useful. Crowdsourcing this process online and anonymously may add value. However, most work has been done in the English-speaking West on dialogue data sets. We must be sensitive to cultural differences in language, social interactions, and attitudes towards technology. Our aims were to explore the value of co-designing VAs in the non-Western context of Japan and demonstrate the necessity of cultural sensitivity. We conducted an online elicitation study (N = 135) where Americans (n = 64) and Japanese people (n = 71) imagined dialogues (N = 282) and activities (N = 73) with future VAs. We discuss the implications for coimagining interactions with future VAs, offer design guidelines for the Japanese and English-speaking US contexts, and suggest opportunities for cultural plurality in VA design and scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visits to the palace of the sea god are a recurring theme in premodern Japanese narratives, and comparing these stories across time periods reveals shifting perceptions of the supernatural world. The earliest sources for narratives of travel to the palace of the sea god in Japan date from the eighth century, most notably in the stories of Luck of the Mountain and Urashima Tarō. In these stories, the descriptions of the sea god's palace, the relationship of the sea god to the natural world, and even the location of the palace were tied to eighth-century understandings of kingship, weather, and geography. Later adaptations of these stories incorporate features of Buddhist geography, Chinese architecture, Buddhist narrative motifs, and even an alternative vision of supernatural time. These alterations occurred because the eighth-century narratives required adaptation to fit a new political, social, and religious reality. This comparison demonstrates that our vision of the supernatural world is inextricably tied to our understanding of the natural. When our fundamental grasp of the nature of reality changes, our imagination of the supernatural transforms in turn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The question remains to be elucidated: "Is treatment with antidepressants at doses approved in Japan effective for Japanese patients with MDD?" It is crucial to confirm this in order to provide appropriate treatments for Japanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and random‐effects pairwise meta‐analysis including these nine double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials. Methods: We calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Pooled newer antidepressants outperformed placebo regarding improvement of depressive symptom scale scores [SMD (95% CI) = −0.20 (−0.27, −0.12), p < 0.00001], response to treatment [RR (95% CI) = 1.23 (1.13, 1.32), p < 0.00001], and remission rate [RR (95% CI) = 1.30 (1.16, 1.45), p < 0.00001]. Although all‐cause discontinuation was not significantly different between the treatment groups, the pooled antidepressant group showed a higher discontinuation rate due to adverse event [RR (95% CI) = 1.60 (1.13, 2.26), p = 0.007] and a higher incidence of at least one adverse event than the placebo group [RR (95% CI) = 1.13 (1.08, 1.18), p < 0.00001]. Discussion: We concluded that newer antidepressants are effective for Japanese adults with MDD although the clinicians must monitor the health conditions of these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of diabetic symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes registered in the Japan Diabetes Complication and its Prevention Prospective study. In the study, 6,338 patients with diabetes who had been treated by diabetes specialists were registered in 2007–2009. Of these, patients with type 2 diabetes who could be evaluated for DSPN were analyzed using the t‐test, χ2‐test and logistic regression analyses. DSPN was diagnosed using the Simple Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetic Polyneuropathy proposed by the Diabetic Neuropathy Study Group in Japan. Of the total participants, 5,451 patients (mean age 61.4 years, duration of diabetes 10.8 years) were analyzed. Based on the criteria, 35.8% of patients were diagnosed with DSPN. The prevalence of sensory symptoms was 25.8%. The following factors increased the risk for DSPN: age (odds ratio [OR] 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–1.73), duration of diabetes (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.43), body mass index (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.10), hemoglobin A1c (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.22), biguanides (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.39) and insulin therapy (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.36–1.84). The following factors decreased the risk for DSPN: total cholesterol (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00) and exercise therapy (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73–0.98). The baseline survey clarified the prevalence and characteristics of DSPN in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. The survey also showed the risk factors of DSPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femoroacetabular impingement has increasingly been recognized as a cause of primary hip osteoarthritis; however, its epidemiological indications remain unclear. We aimed to clarify the epidemiological indications and factors associated with cam deformity in a large-scale population-based cohort in Japan. Overall, 1480 participants (2960 hips) (491 men, 989 women; mean age, 65.3 years) analyzed in the third survey of the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability study were included. The α angle and spinopelvic parameters (lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence) were radiographically measured. Cam deformity was defined as α angle ≥ 60°. Overall, the cam deformity prevalence was 147/2960 (5.0%). Cam deformity prevalence tended to increase with age; in the univariate analysis, a higher percentage of men was observed in the group with cam deformity than in the group without it. No relationship was observed between cam deformity and hip pain. Factors associated with α angle were examined via multiple regression analysis for each gender; α angle was significantly associated with age and BMI in each gender. The α angle and PT were correlated in women. Thus, α angle and cam deformity prevalence increase with age in Japanese individuals. Accordingly, cam deformity can be considered a developmental disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although small fish are an important source of micronutrients, the relationship between their intake and mortality remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association between intake of small fish and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Design: We used the data from a cohort study in Japan. The frequency of the intake of small fish was assessed using a validated FFQ. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality according to the frequency of the intake of small fish by sex were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model with adjustments for covariates. Setting: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. Participants: A total of 80 802 participants (34 555 males and 46 247 females), aged 35–69 years. Results: During a mean follow-up of 9·0 years, we identified 2482 deaths including 1495 cancer-related deaths. The intake of small fish was statistically significantly and inversely associated with the risk of all-cause and cancer mortality in females. The multivariable-adjusted HR (95 % CI) in females for all-cause mortality according to the intake were 0·68 (0·55, 0·85) for intakes 1–3 times/month, 0·72 (0·57, 0·90) for 1–2 times/week and 0·69 (0·54, 0·88) for ≥ 3 times/week, compared with the rare intake. The corresponding HR (95 % CI) in females for cancer mortality were 0·72 (0·54, 0·96), 0·71 (0·53, 0·96) and 0·64 (0·46, 0·89), respectively. No statistically significant association was observed in males. Conclusions: Intake of small fish may reduce the risk of all-cause and cancer mortality in Japanese females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Few studies have reported intakes of fermented foods with their clear definitions. This study aimed to identify fermented foods and beverages consumed in Japan based on international definitions and to estimate their intake and contribution to energy and nutrients. Design: Data from a 16-d (four non-consecutive days within each season at 3-month intervals) semi-weighted dietary records (DR) were used. To identify 'entirely fermented foods' and 'partially fermented foods', a literature search on food processing and ingredients was conducted for all foods that appeared in the DR. For 'partially fermented foods', only the weight of the fermented food component was included in the estimation of total fermented food intake. Setting: Four regions in Japan: Osaka, Nagano, Tottori and Okinawa. Participants: Two-hundred forty-two apparently healthy Japanese adults aged 31–81 years. Results: Of the 1396 kinds of unique foods that appeared in the DR, 101 were 'entirely fermented foods' and 104 were 'partially fermented foods'. The mean intake of fermented foods was 438 g/d per person (17 % of the total weight). They were mainly derived from beer, coffee, bread and yogurt. The mean contribution of fermented foods to the total energy intake was 18 %. For nutrients, the contribution to total intake was high to Na (46 %), Mg (22 %) and Ca (20 %). Conclusions: Fermented foods account for approximately one-fifth of the total weight and energy of dietary intake and are important contributors to some nutrients in Japanese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasons for sex-associated gut microbiota differences have not been determined, and although sex hormones, diet, and other factors are considered to contribute to them, many of these factors are age related. To shed light on this complex interplay, our study aimed to investigate and compare the gut microbial compositions of males and females across a broad range of ages, aiming to identify sex-associated disparities and potential causal factors. Our study encompassed a comprehensive analysis of gut microbiota data obtained from 444 Japanese individuals, ranging from newborns to centenarians, sourced from the DNA Data Bank of Japan. We categorized the subjects into 13 distinct age groups and examined their relative microbial abundances, as well as alpha and beta diversities, in relation to sex and age. No difference was observed between gut microbiota relative abundances or alpha diversities between men and women at any age. However, the study showed that the heterogeneity of gut microbiota among women in their 20s was greater than in men. To confirm the general occurrence of this difference, we conducted additional analyses using seven datasets: three from Japan and four from other countries. Interestingly, this variance was particularly noticeable within Japanese women. We also showed a potential link between the observed heterogeneity and dietary fiber intake. It is hoped this study will provide clues that aid in the identification of factors responsible for sex-associated differences in gut microbiota compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Malaya (then Malaysia). On 9 September 1957, nine days after Malaya achieved independence, Japan opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The introduction of the Look East Policy (LEP) in 1982 strengthened the existing Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations. The main objective of this study is to examine the nature of the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Japan during the implementation of the Look East Policy (LEP) and to identify the mutual benefits obtained by both countries in the implementation of LEP 2.0. This study adopted a qualitative analysis method by conducting intensive interviews and focus group discussion involving 13 informants who were directly involved with the implementation of LEP. The study found that, among other things, while LEP made the good practice of the Japanese people as the main driving factor, it also included the Japanese work culture, discipline, ethics, integrity, accountability, management and strategic partners. Three decades after the implementation of LEP in Malaysia, LEP took up a notch with the introduction of the Second Wave of LEP in 2012. Otherwise known as LEP 2.0, it prioritised new areas in line with technological developments in the millennial era. In line with that, LEP 2.0 also focused on the context of mutual benefit (common interest) for both countries especially in Halal hub industry and tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main research question addressed in this paper is the following: What are the consequences of the purge of the communists and their sympathizers for the development of postwar Japanese society during the Allied Occupation (known as the Red Purge)? According to conventional wisdom, the Red Purge was an illegal and unfair suppression regarding the freedom of speech and a threat to the very survival of democracy in Japan. Surveying previous works on the Red Purge demonstrates that not a single work discusses any constructive aspect of the Red Purge. Criticizing this trend in the historiography, Thomas French correctly pointed out that these previous works tended to neglect or undervalue violent and aggressive behaviors of the Japanese Communist Party and its militant policy after mid-1949. This paper goes a little further, trying to find, if any, constructive aspects of the Red Purge. My hypothesis is that the Red Purge had many destructive and biased measures, but it was paradoxically a necessary evil to help establish a law-abiding Japanese society. The architects of the Red Purge, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, the Japanese government, and corporate executives, were careful not to violate the constitution or labor laws when they executed the Red Purge. They established an important precedent that they had to act in accordance with the constitution and laws. In a paradoxical way, going through the Red Purge actually made Japan a law-abiding country in the long run. This paper tests the validity of this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, I appreciate the contribution by M. S. Mani to gall-midge studies in Japan. He described two Japanese pestiferous Cecidomyiidae in response to the request from Japanese entomologists. His book Ecology of Plant Galls encouraged young Japanese students, who just started to study gall-inducing insects. Secondly, the importance of genetic data is emphasized in this paper to support morphological identification of the Cecidomyiidae of the Oriental region. Species identification is essential to establish methods of control measures against invasive Cecidomyiidae. Thirdly, I expect young Indian entomologists to challenge via ecological investigations benefiting from the convenience of plentifully available Cecidomyiidae and the galls they induce in the Indian subcontinent. Ecological data on tropical and subtropical Cecidomyiidae is highly necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over time, Japan has seen an increase in non‐regular employment and a shift away from marriage. To uncover any link between these issues, this paper uses Japanese Labour Force Survey microdata to examine annual transitions between marital statuses and how such transitions vary across labour market statuses, in particular between male regular and non‐regular employees. We find, for different age groups, that the odds ratio of marriage for male non‐regular employees is 30% to 40% lower than that for male regular employees even after controlling for education. We also find that the odds ratio of divorce for married couples is twice as large when the husband is a non‐regular employee than when the husband is a regular employee. Our analysis sheds light on the challenges faced by Japanese males with non‐regular jobs in enjoying stable marital relationships and it reveals the regional heterogeneity of such challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lawyer regulatory system will usually include a mechanism to discipline lawyers who have committed misconduct. Such mechanism may have different objective(s) and function(s), which may vary from jurisdictions to jurisdictions. The Japanese system seemingly has, inter alia, deterrent and educational purposes: discouraging further misconduct and/or educating lawyers to reduce recurrence of similar misconduct. This paper focuses on the deterrent function on Japanese lawyers who have been disciplined. Through an empirical analysis of the cases of lawyers who have been disciplined more than once, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of the lawyer disciplinary system in Japan in discouraging the disciplined lawyers from committing misconduct again. It also hypothesises on some of the possible contributory factor(s) for the multiple violations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Review of Policy Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The beginning of the construction of Japan's first large-scale Buddhist temple, Asukadera 飛鳥寺, in 588, marks an important turning point in the ancient history of Japan. The construction of a Buddhist temple was a major event through which Japanese people, who had believed in traditional indigenous religion, came to embrace Buddhism, one of the major world religions. Inscribed śarīra reliquaries were discovered from the wooden pagoda site at the Wanghŭng-sa 王興寺 in Puyŏ. According to these inscriptions, Wanghŭng-sa was built in 577, 11 years before the establishment of Asukadera in 588. Based on this data, both Korean and Japanese academics have raised the possibility that Wanghŭng-sa might have provided inspiration or even a model for Asukadera in Japan. In this paper, I briefly examine reliquaries and roof tiles that have been excavated from the wooden pagoda site within the Wanghŭng-sa site and the arrangement and characteristics of the temple's building sites, including the sites of the main hall and corridors. Next, I discuss the similarities and differences between ancient Buddhist temples in Korea and Japan by comparing Wanghŭng-sa with ancient Japanese temples such as Asukadera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does the Japanese public consider shared ancestry the most essential condition for inclusion of an individual as a member of their country's citizenry? This paper empirically assesses how the public in the ethnic nation views citizenship acquisition criteria. The originally conducted survey based on a conjoint format in Japan (2015) displays interesting results. Overall, Japanese people most heavily rely on the nationalities of parents in judging who qualifies as 'Japanese', confirming the contentions of previous works that highlight Japanese people's belief in a mono-ethnic Japan. More detailed statistical analyses further reveal that Japanese people consider ethnic heritage through the father as the most essential criterion while the mother's nationality and country of upbringing are also relevant. These results seem to reflect Japan's long-lasting beliefs in cultural homogeneity as well as patriarchal values, which are reinforced by a patrilineal tradition of citizenship. This research advances the discussion on how to classify citizenship features by disaggregating ethnic lineage into paternal and maternal lines. Furthermore, it suggests a reevaluation of Japan's institutional and social attachment to patrilineal ethnic heritage in order to ease multiple layers of discrimination posed against (particularly female) migrants and to realize a sound multiethnic society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Social Sciences Research / Sosyal Bilimler Arastirmalari Dergisi is the property of ODU Journal of Social Sciences Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)