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This issue of "Working Papers in Educational Linguistics" begins with "Negative Evidence in Language Classroom Activities: A Study of Its Availability and Accessibility to Language Learners" (Teresa Pica and Gay N. Washburn), which revisits the issue of negative evidence in second language classrooms. The second paper, "Reassessing Parent Involvement: Involving Language Minority Parents in School Work at Home" (Kimberly Daniel-White), evaluates the theoretical stance of traditional parental involvement programs in the United States and implications for the involvement of language minority parents. The third paper, "What Is Missing in Interlanguage? Acquisition of Determiners by Korean Learners of English" (Hyun-Sook Kang), studies the acquisition of a new functional category in the interlanguage development of advanced Korean students. The fourth paper, "A Study on Closing Sections of Japanese Telephone Conversations" (Tomoko Takami), examines how closings are realized in Japanese telephone conversations between intimates. (Papers contain references.) (SM)

This article discusses the history of toilet paper, highlighting the controversy and skepticism surrounding its introduction in the 1850s. While Joseph C. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was the first commercial toilet paper in America, the Chinese had been using paper for this purpose since the 2nd century. The article also mentions the use of alternative materials such as sheep's wool, leaves, linen, and cloth in Western countries. Despite initial mockery from the medical establishment, toilet paper eventually gained popularity and spawned numerous copycat products. The article concludes by mentioning the modern advancements in toilet technology, such as the Washlet in Japan, which may potentially render traditional toilet paper obsolete. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights the revival of traditional Japanese papermaking techniques. Expansion of modern applications of washi; Citations on Japanese paper in Dard Hunter's books on the history of hand papermaking; Transmission of techniques on papermaking from China to Japan; Japanese modification of techniques; Reflection of aesthetic sense of the Japanese; Use of washi in sliding paper screens; Strength of mulberry fibers in paper.

Provides information on a smart paper developed by Japanese company Oji Paper used for currency, securities certificates and other documents. Description of the paper which contains a radio frequency identification chip; Features of the smart paper which can store the name of the payee of a check.

Reports on the development of a lightweight bicycle frame made out of paper by Japanese researchers. Weight of the bicycle; Use of fibers made from handmade paper and epoxy resin; Thin plastic coating to encase the paper to ensure that the bike does not collapse into a soggy heap in the rain; Comparison with other ordinary bicycles; Advantages and benefits for cyclists.

The purpose of this project is to contribute to the prevention of heart failure as well as overall cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia by providing health guidance according to the level of heart failure. Keywords: Asia; Blood Pressure; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Diseases and Conditions; Epidemiology; Health and Medicine; Heart Disease; Heart Disorders and Diseases; Heart Failure; Hemodynamics; Japan; Risk and Prevention EN Asia Blood Pressure Cardiology Cardiovascular Diseases and Conditions Epidemiology Health and Medicine Heart Disease Heart Disorders and Diseases Heart Failure Hemodynamics Japan Risk and Prevention 997 997 1 11/06/23 20231106 NES 231106 2023 NOV 6 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Hematology Week -- Data detailed on heart failure have been presented. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents information on the Japanese Paper Conservation Course to be held from September 11-30, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. The course will be organized by the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. The course offers people staying outside of Japan who are interested in Japanese paintings, calligraphic works and other paper-based artifacts, description of the materials and methods of the Japanese paper-mounting tradition. The course aims at building the gap between the Japanese and the Western paper conservation traditions.

Focuses on the participation of the commercial paper market in corporate fund raising in Japan. Reforms needed on the money market; Improvements in the electronic processing of securities in advanced nations; Purpose for creating an electronic commercial paper.

The article presents the views of Thomas Clephane of Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. regarding the linerboard acquisitions made by the paper industry in Japan. He cites the $160 million paid by Daishowa Paper Manufacturing Co. Ltd. for the linerboard operations of Louisiana-Pacific Inc. in the U.S. According to Clephane, Japanese are high cost producers of linerboard and suggest that the strength in linerboard should be viewed as part of a growth cycle.

This paper examines student experiences of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in two distinct geographic and sociolinguistic contexts: Japan and Sweden. Interviews with 24 EMI students in both countries were conducted to better understand how sociolinguistic factors within each environment may impact student learning. These factors included the role of English in the surrounding society, national-level policies, second language English proficiency level, and views on the use of English in the EMI classroom. Student voices from both contexts articulated similar as well as divergent experiences. Despite clear socio-educational distinctions, students in both contexts had similar emotional responses and observations during their EMI experiences. However, they displayed different purposes for enrolling in EMI programs and distinctive attitudes toward the use of their first language. They also provided insights into EMI's role in relation to broader internationalization efforts. On the basis of the interview analysis, the paper closes with a discussion of EMI implementation in Japan in terms of insights from a Swedish-based model at micro and macro levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As many students at international universities in Japan find it difficult to make friends outside of their own linguistic groups, this paper discusses a project involving two linked initiatives with different approaches to using social media to encourage connections between international and domestic students. It describes the impetus behind the project, the rationales for each of the two approaches, the methods that each used, and their results. Although it was beyond the scope of this project to determine whether it led to any improvement in connections, several positive outcomes emerged. These included student validation of the need for such interventions, the creation of engaging content, and valuable insights into the effectiveness of different strategies for conducting such a project. The paper concludes with practical suggestions for future efforts to foster connections between international and domestic students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses Japan's paper industry, which is beset by high prices for inputs, notably energy, and low prices for paper, which are kept down by foreign competition, chiefly from China. A merger was proposed between Japan's biggest paper company, Oji Paper, and Hokuetsu Paper Mills. Oji sees a merger as a chance to cut the industry's oversupply by allowing it to scrap its older papermaking machines and use Hokuetsu's newer ones, which not only also coat paper for items like tissue boxes.

Reports that Oji Paper Co., a major domestic paper manufacturer in Japan, has developed a genetially modified (GM) eucalyptus that can grow in acidic soil. Plan of the company for commercial GM eucalyptus plantation; Environmental impact studies that will be made for the GM eucalyptus; Background of the company; Further plans of the company on GM plants.

MINO-WASHI MUSEUM Exhibits highlight the paper's versatility and detail the washi-making process, while workshops offer short, hands-on lessons in the craft. Visitors can attend washi-making workshops and tour a small museum. ARTIST YAYOI KUSAMA'S fantastical Mount Fuji scenes are printed on it, designer Yumi Katsura makes bridal gowns from it, and film director David Lynch creates lithographs with it. [Extracted from the article]

Contends that Japan's struggling paper industry is as bloated and overmanned as any in America or Europe. Predictions from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); The number of new paper plants that have come on line just as demand has slumped.

Reports on the invention of a paper bicycle by Yoshifumi Kato of the Japan Bicycle Technical Center. Difference in weight and flexibility from typical carbon racing bike; Durability; Price.

The article reports on a experiment in which paper airplanes will be thrown to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The highly durable paper from which the paper airplanes are made is the focus of the experiment, the article indicates. The reasons for this experiment, the paper's Japanese manufacturer, and the paper's characteristics are discussed. Recovery of the paper airplanes is also discussed.

Describes a method for producing wood ceramics from paper waste, developed by a team of researchers at the Industrial Research Institute of Aomori Prefecture in Japan. Development of materials to replace metals, plastics and fine ceramics; Overview of the recycling procedure.

Focuses on the growth of demand for Japanese convertible bonds in the Euromarket in 2004. Views of Christopher Mothersill, managing director at Morgan Stanley in Tokyo, on the growth; Information on the bond with a soft mandatory conversion provision issued by Japanese camera manufacturer Nikon in February 2004; Prices of bonds sold by Toshiba.

Reports on two leaked government documents showing a low percentage of computer use in Japan. Gap between computer use in Japan and United States; Overregulation and government bureaucracy as the causes of the slow pace of computerization in Japan; Cultural significance of the use of paper; Conservatism within the government.

The article presents an outlook for the impact of a new preliminary draft on corporate foreign exchange operations to be released by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). It is expected that corporations that have been showing gains in their quarterly income statements may see major losses under the new rules. Major upward revisions on the asset side of the balance sheets of the foreign subsidiaries of U.S. multinationals doing business in Europe and Japan.

The article reports on the decision of Bank of Japan to double interest rates from 25 basis points (bp) to 50bp in February 2007. The move made an impact on the yen commercial paper (CP) market and caused confusion on some investors. A dealer stated that German investors have been buying a lot of yen paper but were running out of names. According to some dealers, investors in euro-denominated CP were adopting a wait-and-see approach to interest rates.

Focuses on the papermaking industry in Japan. History; Techniques in papermaking; Efforts made by craftsman Yasuichi Kubota to preserve and promote his craft; Request made by the government of Bhutan to improve the quality of its own handmade papers.

This article presents the analytical findings of economists Jeffrey Frankel of the University of California and Shang-Jin Wei of Harvard University on Japan's plans for the creation of a de facto trade bloc in East Asia. These economists suggest that Americans and Europeans need not fear of Japan's economic supremacy in creating Wast Asia the world's fastest growing region by means of cementing trade ties. Their analysis, summarized in a recent issue of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's periodical "Weekly Letter," shows scant evidence of a developing Pacific economic bloc dominated by Japan. These economists found that from 1979 to mid-1992, the major East Asian countries all consistently assigned a heavy weight to the dollar in valuing their currencies.

The article presents information on the official Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Toilet Paper (TP) introduced by Microsoft Corp. This two-ply TP printed with texts, aids in the maintenance of the Windows Vista operating system. The company has launched this product to redress the complaints regarding its latest operating system Windows Vista. Now it is only available in Japan.

The article looks at the growth of Japan Finance Corp. for Municipal Enterprises (JFM) in the domestic and international bond markets. JFM does not borrow from the government and is considered the largest Japanese issuer in terms of outstanding paper. Part of its fundraising efforts are issuing bonds such as government guaranteed domestic bonds and private placement bonds. It provides loans to local governments specifically at fixed interest rates with a maximum maturity of 28 years and an average final maturity of 25 years.

Information about several papers discussed at various meetings in 2012 including a project meeting held on June 29-30, on the Japanese economy, growth research meeting on July 14, and a project meeting on household saving held on July 21, is presented. Meetings were organized by the periodical "NBER Reporter," the Center for Advanced Research in Finance and the Australia-Japan Research Centre. The meetings featured several researchers including Takeo Hoshi, David B. Hamao and Julian Franks.

The article reports that Fuji Photo Film Co., is the world's second-largest maker of photographic film and paper, known to Americans as the company that has given Eastman Kodak Co. a harrowing run for, its money. Fujifilm has staged a remarkable makeover on its home turf. But the world of digital photography is still new. So in the next two years, as Fujiffim courts Americans with a whole new bag of digital goodies, it will confront the most confusing obstacle course in its 65-year history. The global market for photo film and paper is a tidy duopoly with clearly defined rules.

This article presents news and events related to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The advance program for the International Conference on Software Engineering, September 13-16, 1982, in Tokyo, includes sessions on language processing; software configuration management; quantitative aspects of software; requirement techniques; programming environments; maintenance evaluation and tools; specification techniques; testing and tools; software notations; and program analysis. Up to two $1000 prizes for best submitted papers are to be awarded by the Technical Committee on Software Engineering. The Symposium on Programming Language Issues in Software Systems sponsored by ACM SIGPLAN, to be held during June 27-29, 1983 in San Francisco, California, is to focus on innovation in two major areas: new programming language constructs and abstraction mechanisms; and the application of programming language principles to the design of software systems. Relevant topics in the first area encompass languages or language constructs; abstraction techniques; specification methods; and techniques for supporting concurrency or exception handling. In the second area topics include the application of programming language principles and techniques to the design and organization of software systems.

The article reports on the significance and the efficacy of msx computers in the American market. The U.S. home computer makers appear unconcerned that such an invasion about to hit. Darrel E. Whitten, an analyst at Prudential-Bache Securities Ltd., says that msx is a difficult niche in Japan due to its higher price than the hot-selling Nintendo unit.

The article reports that a U.S.-Japan commercial treaty to internationalize the Japanese yen is not expected to strengthen the yen in foreign exchange markets and to alter international trade, balance of payments, and balance of trade patterns between the two countries. Measures to make the yen an international currency include the creation of a free Euroyen market and deregulation of Japanese capital markets.

Information about several papers discussed at a project meeting sponsored by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), together with the Center on the Japanese Economy and Business, and the Center for Advanced Research in Finance held in Tokyo, Japan on June 24-25, 2011 is presented. Topics include heterogeneity in general equilibrium, government debt, and status of the Japanese labor market. The meeting featured several speakers including Robert Dekle, Jess Diamond, and Ayako Kondo.