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This essay considers the state of the contemporary Circumpolar World and provides a general overview of the way the various circumpolar jurisdictions are addressing the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-fi rst century. It considers how northern areas are attracting the resources necessary to lessen the socio-economic divide between northern and southern/urban areas. An overview of infrastructure, basic services, economic development, regional leadership, security, Indigenous governance, and plans for the future of the countries and regions that make up the Circumpolar North reveals signifi cant strengths and challenges. This examination focuses, in particular, on where Canada sits in comparison to its northern neighbours, a perspective that does not always put Canada in the best light. In many respects, Canada’s efforts in the North lag—sometimes considerably—behind circumpolar norms (aside from Russia). National and sub-national governments in Canada have not always attracted the funding, commitment, and vision needed to capitalize on the political, technological, and economic resources needed to better serve the peoples of the North; in recent years, some Arctic regions have done much better than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural decline has emerged as a major political and policy issue in many countries, including rapidly developing nations like Vietnam. National and local/regional governments are searching for policy solutions to rural depopulation, economic stagnation, and employment losses associated with rapid technological change. In some countries, particularly in the Western and industrial world, rural frustrations transformed into political unrest. Vietnam has a more complicated rural reality, marked by modest declines in population, the improvement of rural infrastructure, and significant advances in well-being. Rural conditions, however, have not improved as fast as in the country's major cities, which can add to a sense of rural unease and dissatisfaction even when material conditions are improving. This assessment, based on fifteen years of regular observation across rural Vietnam, highlights the difference between the situation in Vietnam and general patterns of rural decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments around the Circumpolar world are attempting to ensure the long-term viability of northern economies, generally by supporting the natural resource economy and seeking opportunities to promote "new economy" commercial development. The challenge is formidable, in large measure because few Arctic or sub-Arctic regions have the research capability, highly skilled personnel, venture capital, accessible markets and entrepreneurial drive necessary to compete in the global science and technology-based economy. Communities in Norrbotten County in Sweden have made significant efforts to develop contemporary economic opportunities. This essay considers efforts made by a series of northern centres--Arjeplog, Kiruna, Luleå, Skellefteå and Haparanda--to build jobs and businesses beyond traditional northern economic activities, demonstrating that creative and determined northern regions can compete successfully in the age of rapid technological transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Already leading the world in the development of consumer electronics, South Korea and Japan have been leading innovators in the creation of digital content economies. Both governments recognized both the commercial potential and the employment possibilities associated with the digital content industry. The sector, however, did not fit easily with existing industrial and technological models of economic development, particularly due to the small size of digital firms, the youth culture orientation of most products and services, and the antiestablishment ethos of the creative industries generally. In Japan, digital content firms created a robust domestic market but struggled to get international market share. Government policy, therefore, has focused on building international interest in digital products. Although South Korea has enjoyed considerable success through their K‐pop cultural exports, it has really capitalized on the country's highly successful online gaming industry. South Korean policy initiatives emphasize public promotion of Korean digital content with sizeable investments in creator and incubator spaces for start‐up firms. Together with initiatives in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, the Japanese and South Korean efforts demonstrate how Asian countries have sought to integrate the digital content sector into their national innovation strategies and to jump‐start a promising and potentially valuable economic sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments have attached a high priority to the commercialization of science and technology as a foundation for participation in the "new economy." Scientists typically view their work in less commercial terms and focus on making contributions to knowledge. When governments invest in large‐scale scientific infrastructure, like synchrotrons, they are increasingly concerned about the business and employment outcomes. This study examines the attitudes of synchrotron scientists at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan toward government expectations and programs supporting commercialization. The scientists are, as a group, ambivalent toward strong commercialization efforts and feel that the expectations of government are unrealistic. Many, however, appreciate the financial and political requirements to focus on commercial activities, and a significant number see both research and societal benefits in engaging actively with private sector partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over two decades, Japan has been a leading nation in the development of the digital economy. The country's business development in mobile computing, video games and animation led the world. While this prominent role continues, the country has struggled with a "digital island" reality in three areas: the wireless industry, which tried but failed to expand globally; an active but Japan-focused digital content sector; and digital services, which have not expanded as expected to non-Japanese markets. This article examines the evolution of Japan's digital media and digital content sector which has created significant global interest but less business development than expected. The article argues that Japan's "Galapagos" reality reflects the inherently (but not exclusively) culture and language-specific characteristics of the digital content economy and the country's largely inward-looking culture industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author reflects on the engagement of Japan with the North American Arctic. Topics discussed include opening of the Arctic Ocean for navigation, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and connection of Japanese for mineral development of the Arctic. Other topics include attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and oil pipeline built for Americans by Norman Wells, Northwest Territories.

Japan has been a key player in the global competition based on scientific and technological innovation. Through a series of Science and Technology Basic Plans, the national government sought to restructure the country's approach to scientific and technological development, with initiatives ranging from a fundamental restructuring of public universities to major investments in regional clusters. Collaboration with business has likewise been a centerpiece of the Japan strategy, as has high level political leadership of the broad initiative. This paper examines the international and national context of Japanese innovation, outlines the core elements of the Japanese innovation strategy, and provides preliminary observations about the first decade of the country's extensive efforts to establish Japan as a global leader in the commercialization of science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]