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Since Marx reported on osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by the injectable bisphosphonates (BPs) pamidronate and zoledronate, there have been numerous reports not only in Western countries, but in Japan as well, of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) as a pathology similar to radiation-related osteonecrosis/osteomyelitis of the jaw, which is accompanied by exposure of the bone. Osteonecrosis of the jaw similar to that occurring with BPs is also produced with the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) antibody denosumab, a bone resorption inhibitor that has a different mode of action from BPs, and there is also a report of osteonecrosis of the jaw related to bevacizumab, an angiogenic inhibitor. Because of this, in its newest position paper (2014), the AAOMS changed the nomenclature from BRONJ to "medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw" (MRONJ). This article presents an overview of the position paper on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and the current status of the MRONJ in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper City (2021), directed by Adrian Francis, is a documentary film that highlights the 70th anniversary of the firebombing of Tokyo on March 10, 1945. The film presents three elderly survivors' oral accounts of the firebombing and observes their work as memory activists in a long campaign to compel the Japanese government to publicly memorialize the event in a way commensurate with its enormous devastation. Reflecting on issues of memory and forgetting, Francis intends the film as a way of passing survivors' experiences to audiences, who can help to transfer memory to others and to generations beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this case report is to describe a minimally invasive technique for non-vital tooth bleaching using traditional Japanese paper, known as washi. Non-vital tooth bleaching with a mixture of sodium perborate and 30% hydrogen peroxide rolled in Japanese paper for a traumatically injured tooth, and in-office vital-tooth bleaching for the upper front six teeth and first premolars, were performed. Five-year follow-up showed satisfactory stability in the bleaching effects and did not show any problems in the traumatically injured tooth. The use of Japanese paper for non-vital tooth bleaching may minimize damage to discolored non-vital teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the papers by Professors Kosoto and End&#x014D on the development of a number of important schools in Japanese "Kanp&#x014D" which is traditional Japanese medicine from ancient China. It describes relationship between different schools of medicine in Japan and between eastern and western medical arts on their development point to a common Japanese thinking. The importance of obtaining necessary foundation for understanding the papers is also included.

Abstract: Using the Kobe earthquake of 1995 and the Mid-Java earthquake of 2006 as case studies, this paper discusses the process of providing cultural recovery assistance; it also analyses the term ‘civil society’, a term that reflects efforts to make assistance activities sustainable. The Kobe earthquake should be seen as a point of departure for citizen activism by volunteers; because of it, cultural recovery support was vigorously provided. Since people influenced by those support efforts later became involved in providing Mid-Java earthquake recovery assistance, both earthquake recovery support initiatives can be seen as part of an ongoing chain of events. In analysing the Kobe earthquake, it becomes clear that while there are many semantic meanings for and usages of the term ‘civil society’, it was incorporated into policy guidelines for recovery during a period of low economic growth, and a new civil society was envisioned in this period of social transformation. Organisations participating in assistance efforts following the Mid-Java earthquake sought to make ‘civil society’ a reality; this continued after the earthquake recovery was complete, and it comprised an attempt to build the connections within a civil society by looking to overcome many persistent social problems. The power of communication that ‘culture’ holds plays a large role in this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite research suggesting that teachers highly influence their students' knowledge and use of language learning resources such as dictionaries (Loucky, 2005; Yamane, 2006), it appears that dictionary selection and use is considered something to be dealt with outside the classroom. As a result, many students receive too little advice to be able to make informed choices about which dictionary to use for which task. In particular, while teachers may recommend a few paper dictionaries, it appears that little thought is given to electronic and online alternatives. This article uses the case of (English) alphabet-background students of Japanese as an example, and discusses the pros and cons of computer versus non-computer dictionary tools, based on a survey of available resources, and making reference to empirical case studies of students and their dictionary use. The article concludes with recommendations for teachers and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many commentators have opined as to the relative success or failure of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro's efforts to enact reform during his first term. This article analyzes the empirical evidence using a simple framework for assessment. The principal questions it asks are: What, if anything, has he accomplished thus far, and how will history remember his legacy? Following a summary of the circumstances that led to Koizumi's ascendancy and the political and economic conditions under which he governs, the article analyzes the results achieved in the prime minister's top three priority areas: banks, government spending, and regulatory reform. Despite the incremental progress achieved by Koizumi in the face of intense political opposition--most particularly from his own party--the article concludes that his current pace of reform is not likely to result in significant reform by the end of his second term as his party's president. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]