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Japan currently displays many signs of a second demographic transition, which is marked by subreplacement fertility, a focus on self-fulfillment, and changes in family, residence, and marriage patterns. Concurrently, increased pet-keeping and related spending have occurred. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether the emergence of pet parenting can be documented in Japan. Previously documented in the United States and India, pet parenting is defined as the human investment of money, emotion, and time in companion animals that is like parental investment in children. We collected 615 online survey responses from pet owners (female = 48.1%, male = 51.9%; parents = 39.0%, nonparents = 35.8%, future parents = 25.2%). In addition to demographic questions about respondents and their companion animal, each completed the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) and a series of questions regarding Affective Responsiveness, Training and Play, and General Care (collectively, CARES). Our results found clear, significant sex differences on all scales, including the total LAPS score, with women reporting more agreement on the attitudes or frequency of behaviors throughout. Nonparents and future parents reported significantly higher total LAPS scores, with the biggest difference compared with parents on the People Substituting scale. Nonparents were also found to report more frequent General Care and Affective Responsiveness on the CARES scales. We conclude that intuitive but novel differences in human-to-pet attachment and caregiving behavior demonstrate that pet-keeping practices can follow sex roles seen in parenting. Additionally, nonparents are more likely to invest in the direct care of companion animals in ways that mirror in adult-to-child parenting practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate speech-language pathologists' current perceptions, previous training experiences, resources, barriers, and training needs in terms of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in two Asian countries. Method: Their knowledge and attitudes about EBP were explored using an online questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was conducted with consideration of the effect of demographic variables on knowledge and attitudes about EBP. Result: Malaysian speech-language pathologists (n = 98) displayed more positive attitudes toward EBPs, with a significantly higher (t (143) = 5.91, p <.01) total mean score (Mean = 120.7, SD = 11) compared to the Japanese speech-language pathologists (n = 47, Mean = 107.8, SD = 13.5). Malaysian practitioners who were female, worked full-time, and worked in government settings reported higher motivation to develop EBP skills. Japanese practitioners who worked in private sectors reported higher EBPs training needs than those in government settings. In both countries, speech-language pathologists with higher education levels tended to express fewer perceived barriers towards EBP. Conclusion: Findings could help local governance and speech-language pathologist associations to understand the current practices and professional development needs of speech-language pathologists, leading to more effective training programs and educating employers and managers who can reinforce EBP among practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes theEmotional Solidarity Scale(ESS) to examine the relationship between ethnic majority (Japanese) and minority (Brazilian) residents living in Oizumi, Japan. Results revealed significant differences in nine of the 10 ESS items. Resulting ESS factors from confirmatory factor analysis were then found to predict six of the eight models among Japanese residents (versus only two among Brazilian residents) which explained perceptions of tourism focused on Brazilian culture. Results suggest emotional solidarity among disparate ethnic groups living in the community to be a key construct to consider when investigating residents’ support for ethnic enclave tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Disclosing illness-related problems is the first step in help-seeking. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore Japanese breast cancer (BC) survivors’ decision-making about disclosure of lymphoedema symptoms to people in their social networks. A total of ten women participated in group discussions in Japan. A dual analytic approach, thematic analysis and conceptual analysis, was applied to the transcripts. Two themes (perceived responsibility of social roles within the family and unsupportive reactions to BC from others) affected participants’ decision-making. Support programs for Japanese BC survivors who feel unable to disclose lymphoedema symptoms to family members are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Human–wildlife conflicts are common in agricultural communities and mountainous villages in Japan. Tochigi prefecture has one of the highest amounts of agricultural damage caused by wildlife in the country. To reduce conflicts, the Nature Preservation Division of Tochigi Prefecture launched a wildlife damage prevention program. We evaluated the effects of this program on residents’ attitudes and behavioral intentions by comparing a model district receiving the treatment program to a nearby control district. We conducted a survey of all households registered either in the residential organization or telephone book in each district (n = 423), with a 46% response rate. The model district did not differ from the control except for greater perceived behavioral control regarding wildlife damage among residents in the model district (F = 3.83, df = 1,p = 0.05). An unanticipated outcome was the development of a community-based wildlife group in the model district. In both model and control districts, subjective norm (perceived social pressure to engage or not to engage in a behavior) was the strongest predictor of behavioral intentions, unlike results of studies conducted in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]