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The European Union-Japan political and international development dialogue is resurging through the Strategic Partnership Agreement recently agreed between the two actors. The current paper argues that in order for this agreement to deliver on its promises, the EU and Japan need to build on their similarities, but more importantly on their differences and lessons learnt through their distinct international experiences. While common values and norms have helped them to agree on such document, building on their differences will help both actors to make this bilateral dialogue more productive and strategic. Through the theoretical lenses of policy entrepreneurship used to consolidate knowledge for development on horizontal cooperation, the paper questions how sharing their experiences as international donors can be of strategic relevance for both the EU and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For this paper, a review of all of the literature both from Japan and other countries that had been published as of March 2018 on Snoezelen lessons for children with severe multiple disabilities at schools was performed to clarify future research subjects. Using five databases to search the literature produced approximately 900 hits, including a combination of both papers from Japan and other countries. However, based on a careful examination of their contents this was narrowed down to a total of 44 works, which were then analyzed. From the results, six points were raised as main research subjects for the future, including: Systematically arranging and indicating the significance of Snoezelen education as well as its purposes and method, verifying the need for Snoezelen education, research on how to use of the rooms and lesson methods, presenting evidence of the effects of lessons that include mini-Snoezelen (including the effects of skill acquisition), holding nationwide training seminars for teachers, and developing equipment and teaching materials in partnership with companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hardcore, or long-term derelict and vacant brownfield sites which are often contaminated, form a significant proportion of brownfield land in many cities, not only in the UK but also in other countries. The recent economic recession has placed the economic viability of such sites in jeopardy. This paper compares the approaches for bringing back hardcore brownfield sites into use in England and Japan by focusing on ten case studies in Manchester and Osaka, using an 'agency'-based frame- work. The findings are set in the context of (i) national brownfield and related policy agendas; (ii) recent trends in land and property markets in both England and Japan; and (iii) city-level comparisons of brownfields in Manchester and Osaka. The research, which was conducted during 2009-10, suggests that hardcore brownfield sites have been badly affected by the recent recession in both Manchester and Osaka. Despite this, not only is there evidence that hardcore sites have been successfully regenerated in both cities, but also that the critical success factors (CSFs) operating in bringing sites back into use share a large degree of commonality. These CSFs include the presence of strong potential markets, seeing the recession as an opportunity, long-term vision, strong branding, strong partnerships, integrated development, and getting infrastructure into place. Finally, the paper outlines the policy implications of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Visions about the establishment of a lunar base and development of the Moon for scientific, technical and commercial ends have been on the political agenda since the beginning of the Space Age. In the past few years a number of spacefaring nations, including the USA, European states through ESA, Japan, India, China and Russia have proposed missions directed at the robotic and human exploration and development of the Moon. This paper argues that an important factor in advancing these missions lies in a partnership between the pubic, governmental sector and the private sector. The paper analyzes the dynamics of this partnership as applied to the case of the US Vision for Space Exploration. The results of the analysis suggest that public–private partnerships directed at lunar development and commerce depend on how government reduces risks for the private sector. The risks identified and discussed herein include political and legal risks, technological risks, and financial and market risks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Business partnering in Japanese companies stretches far back in history since the family-run zaibatsus began in the 16th century. These financial family groupings or business conglomerates had great influence, and their size allowed for control over significant parts of the Japanese economy. This paper discusses the recent developments in business partnering. Underpinning business partnering in Japan is the traditional cultural tendency of the Japanese to cooperate, placing great social emphasis on the team rather than the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]