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Japan exports sophisticated capital goods. Since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Japanese companies have offshored the production of lower-end goods and parts and components to Asian countries. Because of this, several researchers argued that a weaker yen no longer stimulates machinery exports much because an increase in Japanese exports increases parts and components imports from overseas Asian subsidiaries. This paper finds that, after the GFC, a weaker yen no longer increases Japanese machinery exports to Asia but continues to stimulate exports outside of Asia. Thus, the weaker yen since 2020 does not help Asian firms to import vital Japanese capital goods but does increase the profitability of Japanese manufacturers and their exports to non-Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Soil erosion after harvesting of forest plantations can create infertile colluvial soil, therefore, seedlings used for site reforestation should be equipped against nutrient-poor edaphic conditions. The oak genus is a suitable candidate for such reforestation efforts. Oak is an ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree genus known to grow under infertile environments. In this study, the initial stage of tree growth in three species of oak seedlings inoculated with a spore suspension of ECM fungus was monitored to evaluate the acceleration of seedling growth and nutrient uptake. I selected Quercus acuta Thunb., Quercus glauca Thunb., and Quercus salicina Blume, as these are common, evergreen, broad-leaved woody species commonly found in Southwestern Japan. The seedlings were inoculated with Boletus reticulatus and planted in infertile colluvial soils collected from a site that had undergone soil erosion. I also compared the ecophysiological characteristics of the potted seedlings planted in colluvial soil and normal forest soil. After six months of cultivation, Q. glauca with the ECM showed the highest growth rate in the fertile forest soil and had leaves with a higher nutrient content. In contrast, root dry mass increased slightly in Q. acuta and Q. salicina planted in colluvial soil. In all species, the seedling's ECM colonization rate in colluvial soil was lower than that in forest soil, yet the increase in nutrient uptake in the former was not obvious. The contents of K and Ca in the roots of Q. acuta and Q. salicina increased with B. reticulatus infection. I concluded that the inoculation with a B. reticulatus spore suspension effectively accelerated the growths in all three Quercus species. Q. glauca favored a fertile environment, and Q. acuta and Q. salicina suitably acclimated to both soil types. Thus, these species were selected as potential future candidates for reforestation in such eroded sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]