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The growing demand for electricity, driven by factors such as the shift to carbon neutrality and economic growth, is a challenge shared by South Korea and Japan. South Korea, a peninsula nation, and Japan, an island country, which are both heavily dependent on foreign energy sources and have manufacturing-based industrial structures, are actively working to secure stable power supplies for their economic development. This article carries out a quantitative analysis of the roles of the South Korean and Japanese electric power sectors (EPSs) in their respective economies, seeking to identify differences and generate actionable insights for decision making and policy formulation. Utilizing the input–output (IO) technique with the latest available data, the analysis includes a demand-side model, a supply-side model, and a price-side model to examine various effects of the EPSs. The key findings reveal differences in the production-inducing, value-added creation, and job-creation effects between the two countries, highlighting operational disparities in their electricity sectors. Additionally, South Korea exhibits higher wage-inducing, supply shortage, and price-side effects than Japan, because of its public enterprise-oriented high-wage structure and a substantial manufacturing sector. These quantitative results provide valuable reference material for future government decisions and policy development in the EPS and emphasize the significant role and impact of the power sector in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of previous studies have used self-construal to predict communication outcomes. Recent evidence, however, suggests that validity problems may exist in self-construal measurement. The current study conducted a multimethod multitrait (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) validation study of self-construal measures with data (total N = 578) collected in Korea (N = 200), Japan (N = 212), and the U.S. (N = 166). The data showed that the Singelis (1994) Self-Construal Scale, the Cross, Bacon, and Morris (2000) Relational Interdependent Self-Construal Scale (RISC), and the Kuhn and McPartland (1954) Twenty Statements Test (TST) lacked convergent and discriminant validity, both pan-culturally and within each of the three countries included in the study. Scores on the TST were not significantly related to scores on the self-construal scales, and the various self-construal measures correlated more highly with measures of communication directness than with alternative measures of the same type of self-construal. Substantial method effects were also observed. The results were tested for both 2- and 3-dimensional models of self-construal and for refined scales and scales with all items retained. The results of all analyses were inconsistent with the claim that self-construal measures are construct valid.

The aim of this review was to develop a test method for the evaluation of heat strain for structural firefighters wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in Japan. We analysed a series of our laboratory's questionnaires and experimental studies and reviewed international standards on test methods. We investigated the actual average working conditions (total firefighting time on one incidence, working time with full PPE, maximum temperature and humidity during firefighting) at structural firefighting site in Japan by conducting a large-scale questionnaire survey of Japanese firefighters. We discussed test subjects (firefighters vs. non-firefighters; body size; physical fitness), exercise intensity (absolutes vs. relative; light vs. heavy) and duration, experimental temperature and relative humidity, experimental clothing items including station uniforms (shorts vs. long), and measurement variables (physiological and subjective responses), and suggested a standard test method to evaluate the heat strain of firefighters in hot and humid environments. Practitioner summary: We reviewed studies on human wear trials of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) in hot environments and suggested a standard test method to evaluate the heat strain of firefighters. The test method can be internationally utilised to examine the comfort functions and heat stress of PPE in hot, humid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Green algal blooms by Cladophora species are primarily reported in freshwater and coastal regions and cause severe ecological problems. A taxonomic report of the geographic distribution of Cladophora blooms is essential to explore the cause and impact of macroalgal blooms and for eco‐physiological studies. The identification of blooming species is necessary for monitoring and controlling algal blooms. Genetic information of DNA sequences is useful for identifying species in the genus Cladophora. In the coastal area of Sangrok, Korea, a large‐scale Cladophora bloom was reported for the first time in September 2015. In the present study, we identified the taxonomic entity of Cladophora oligocladoidea (Ulvophyceae, Cladophorales) in Korea. We report for the first time a green algal bloom by this species globally. This is the second report about genetic diversity of C. oligocladoidea since the species was established in Japan. Four ribotypes in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA represent the genetic diversity of Korean C. oligocladoidea. The results from this taxonomic report and our analysis of the green algal bloom of Korean C. oligocladoidea can provide valuable data to understand the geographic distribution and the genetic diversity of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This work assesses and compares the respective economic effects of the same amount of production or investment in the natural gas supply sector in South Korea and Japan. This study examines the role of the natural gas supply sector in the national economy by applying input–output analysis to South Korea and Japan. Specifically, the production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, wage-inducing effect, employment-inducing effect, supply shortage effect, and price-inducing effect were analyzed using an input–output table of South Korea and Japan. As a result, the production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, and employment-inducing effect of same investment amount in the natural gas supply sector were greater in Japan than in South Korea. On the other hand, the wage-inducing effect of an investment of USD 1 in the natural gas supply sector was found to be greater in South Korea than in Japan. In addition, the supply shortage effect and price-inducing effect in the natural gas supply sector were greater in South Korea than in Japan. The causes of differences in analysis results for each country and their implications were discussed. The results of this study could be a useful reference for the government to establish policies related to natural gas supply in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines three Japan–South Korea postwar compensation cases: the comfort women issue, the Sakhalin Island forced labor issue, and Korean atomic bomb survivor issue. These compensation movements produced vastly different results, even though the basic policy directions for compensation provision in all three cases were similar. Japan's approach toward the comfort women problem has been a complete failure, while its treatment of the Sakhalin forced labor issue and the atomic bomb issues has been more successful. This article's explanation of the different outcomes focuses on the character and geographical base of the civic groups leading these compensation movements. In South Korea, women's rights activists spearheaded the comfort women compensation movement and related victim-relief activities. The Korean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that assisted the comfort women treated this problem not only as a women's rights issue, but also as a nationalist issue. In contrast, the Red Cross, a politically neutral international organization, promoted the Sakhalin forced labor and atomic bomb issues. In short, the different receptions accorded to those championing the comfort women issue and those promoting the Sakhalin forced labor and atomic bomb issues depended on the principal agent of each compensation process. This article aims to provide some implications for successfully implementing postwar compensation policies. It suggests that, if successful postwar compensation policy depends on successful perpetrator–victim reconciliation, establishing solidarity between perpetrator and victim countries' civic groups is important. This can only be facilitated through the depoliticized and transparent operation of leading NGOs both inside and outside the redressal-seeking nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People have their favorite type of sport, but such preferences tend to be shared for nearly a lifetime. How this preference persists remains inconclusive; hence, this study attempts to determine why people have different viewpoints on sports. It is reasonable to infer that these differences arise from differences in culture, occupation, and race. Therefore, we collected the following data and conducted research in Korea, the United States, and Japan, countries with various differences. The types of sports that people play were collected through surveys and comparisons among sports networks. Namely, "Sport Classification," "The K-12 Physical Education System (textbooks)," "Survey (actual physical activity)," "Simple Notification Service (SNS) Activity" have been examined to deduce the reason why any particular sport is played. Firstly, Korea, the United States, and Japan conduct different physical education courses. Hence, the results affect people's preferences. Secondly, what people post on SNS and their actual physical activities are different. Thirdly, the degree of connection between sports-type varied as well. Lastly, sports that serve the purpose of being regarded as hubs among sports-type were common in Korea, the United States, and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of the genus Ishige (Phaeophyceae, Ishigeaceae) are known from Korea, Japan and Mexico; they include Ishige foliacea Okamura, I. okamurae Yendo and I. sinicola (Setchell and N.L. Gardner) Chihara. Two species, I. foliacea and I. okamurae, are present in the algal flora of Korea and Japan. The original description of I. okamurae defined two forms of branches, filiform and foliose, but later the foliose branch was recognized as a new species I. foliacea, which is epiphytic on I. okamurae but can also be free-living. The currently proposed lectotype for I. foliacea is based on a free-living form and does not reflect the intent of the original description of the species. In this study, we conducted the DNA barcoding for herbarium specimens to identify Ishige species. Additionally, the variation in cox3 sequences obtained from I. okamurae specimens with two morphological forms collected from waters around the Korean Peninsula was sufficient to separate two species, I. okamurae and its epiphyte I. foliacea. The epiphytic I. foliacea on the lectotype specimen of I. okamurae is designated as lectotype I. foliacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports two novel genome-wide significant loci for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) identified from APOE ε4 non-carrier subjects of East Asian origin. A genome-wide association study of Alzheimer's disease was performed in 2,291 Korean seniors in the discovery phase, from the Gwangju Alzheimer' and Related Dementias (GARD) cohort study. The study was replicated in a Japanese cohort of 1,956 subjects that suggested two novel susceptible SNPs in two genes: LRIG1 and CACNA1A. This study demonstrates that the discovery of AD-associated variants is feasible in non-European ethnic groups using samples comprising fewer subjects from the more homogeneous genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To trace past changes in flooding frequency, we investigated fluvial sediments in the middle reach of the Nakdong River, South Korea. Sediments with larger grain size, lower total organic carbon percentage, and depleted δ13C values in the recovered sediment cores were interpreted as periods of more frequent flooding. Patterns of decreased long-term flooding frequency and vegetation changes during the early to late Holocene were similar to the decreasing regional summer monsoon intensity. Multicentennial frequent flooding periods in the study area (2900–3400 cal yr BP, 3600–3900 cal yr BP, 4600–5300 cal yr BP, and 5800–6400 cal yr BP) corresponded to stronger El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity periods. Based on previous studies showing that high-frequency tropical typhoon-driven coastal inundation along the western coast of Japan during the middle to late Holocene was coupled with stronger ENSO activity, it is likely that the observed centennial-to-millennial-scale flood frequency change in South Korea was influenced mainly by changes in the genesis and tracks of tropical typhoons at centennial-to-millennial time scales. This suggests that the centennial-to-millennial-scale hydrologic changes in East Asia were linked to the remote atmospheric-oceanic circulation changes represented by an ENSO-like pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and subjective responses of the European, Japanese (JPN) and US firefighters' helmet, gloves and boots for international standardisation. Three experimental conditions were evaluated (clothing mass: 9.4, 8.2 and 10.1 kg for the three conditions, respectively) at the air temperature of 32°C and 60% relative humidity. The results showed that there was no significant difference among the three conditions in oxygen consumption, heart rate, total sweat rate, rectal temperature and mean skin temperature, whereas peripheral temperatures and subjective perceptions were lower in the JPN condition than in the other conditions (P < 0.05). These results indicate that a 0.5-kg reduction in helmet mass and a 1.1-kg reduction in boot mass during exercise resulted in a significant decrease in head and leg temperatures and subjective perceptions, while a 1.9-kg reduction in total clothing mass had insignificant influences on the metabolic burden and overall body temperature. Practitioner Summary:International, European or American standards on firefighters' helmet, boots or gloves stipulate minimum requirements for the protection of firefighters, whereas comfort functions are relatively neglected. The structural differences in the officially approved helmets, gloves and boots can reduce regional thermoregulatory burdens and improve subjective perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) on the determination of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) while using two different treadmill protocols: a progressive incline protocol (PIP) and a progressive speed protocol (PSP), with three clothing conditions (Light-light clothing; Boots-PPE with rubber boots; Shoes-PPE with running shoes). Bruce protocol with Light was performed for a reference test. Results showed there was no difference in VO2maxbetween Bruce Light, PIP Light, and PSP Light. However, VO2maxwas reduced in Boots and Shoes with shortened maximal performance time (7 and 6 min reduced for PIP Boots and Shoes, respectively; 11 and 9 min reduced for PSP Boots and Shoes, respectively), whereas the increasing rate of VO2in Boots and Shoes during submaximal exercise was greater compared with Light. Wearing firefighter boots compared with wearing running shoes also significantly affected submaximal VO2but not VO2max. These results suggest that firefighters’ maximal performance determined from a typical VO2maxtest without wearing PPE may overestimate the actual performance capability of firefighters wearing PPE. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For the coherent understanding of heat acclimatization in tropical natives, we compared ethnic differences between tropical and temperate natives during resting, passive and active heating conditions. Experimental protocols included: (1) a resting condition (an air temperature of 28°C with 50% RH), (2) a passive heating condition (28°C with 50% RH; leg immersion in a hot tub at a water temperature of 42°C), and (3) an active heating condition (32°C with 70% RH; a bicycle exercise). Morphologically and physically matched tropical natives (ten Malaysian males, MY) and temperate natives (ten Japanese males, JP) participated in all three trials. The results saw that: tropical natives had a higher resting rectal temperature and lower hand and foot temperatures at rest, smaller rise of rectal temperature and greater temperature rise in bodily extremities, and a lower sensation of thirst during passive and active heating than the matched temperate natives. It is suggested that tropical natives' homeostasis during heating is effectively controlled with the improved stability in internal body temperature and the increased capability of vascular circulation in extremities, with a lower thirst sensation. The enhanced stability of internal body temperature and the extended thermoregulatory capability of vascular circulation in the extremities of tropical natives can be interpreted as an interactive change to accomplish a thermal dynamic equilibrium in hot environments. These heat adaptive traits were explained by Wilder's law of initial value and Werner's process and controller adaptation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the deacclimatization of the cutaneous thermal sensations of tropical indigenes residing in temperate climates. Tropical indigenes (n=13) who were born and raised in tropics but had resided in Japan for 5–61 months participated in this study, along with temperate indigenes (n=11). Their cutaneous thermal thresholds for warm, cool, hot, and cold sensations were measured in 12 body regions using a thermal stimulator controlled by a Peltier element and a push button switch. Subjects pressed the button-switch as soon as they perceived a feeling of being ‘slightly warm’, ‘slightly cool’, ‘hot’, or ‘cold’ from a neutral thermal state. Our results showed that: (1) among the tropical indigenes, no significant relationship was found between the duration of their stay in Japan and their cutaneous thermal thresholds; (2) the tropical indigenes were, on average, 3.3, 3.5, 4.2, and 7.3°C less sensitive to warm, hot, cool, and cold sensations, respectively, than the temperate indigenes (P<0.05); and (3) the inter-threshold sensory zones between cutaneous warmth and coolness, and hot and cold sensations were wider among the tropical indigenes than among the temperate indigenes. It was concluded that the nature of the heat acclimatization of the cutaneous thermal thresholds for the tropical indigenes was retained despite their residence in a temperate climate for up to 61 months, indicating that they had more blunted perceptions of both warming and cooling than the temperate indigenes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on developments concerning Japan's bilateral relations with Korea. It focuses on the territorial and historical disputes between the two countries and highlights the deepening internal problems in North Korea, including human rights violations and uncertainty over succession. The article also reports on the increasing trade, travel and institutional relations between Japan and Korea.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate ethnic differences in cutaneous thermal sensation thresholds and the inter-threshold sensory zone between tropical (Malaysians) and temperate natives (Japanese). The results showed that (1) Malaysian males perceived warmth on the forehead at a higher skin temperature (T sk) than Japanese males (p<0.05), whereas cool sensations on the hand and foot were perceived at a lower T sk in Malaysians (p<0.05); (2) Overall, the sensitivity to detect warmth was greater in Japanese than in Malaysian males; (3) The most thermally sensitive body region of Japanese was the forehead for both warming and cooling, while the regional thermal sensitivity of Malaysians had a smaller differential than that of Japanese; (4) The ethnic difference in the inter-threshold sensory zone was particularly noticeable on the forehead (1.9±1.2C for Japanese, 3.2±1.6°C for Malaysians, p<0.05). In conclusion, tropical natives had a tendency to perceive warmth at a higher T sk and slower at an identical speed of warming, and had a wider range of the inter-threshold sensory zone than temperate natives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the status of Japan-Korean relations as of June 2009. It notes that the Japanese government was active in pushing for the United Nations (UN)Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1874 and imposing unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang in North Korea for executing a missile launch on April 5, 2009. The South Korean government has protested against Japan's approval to publish a new textbook which justifies Japan's colonization of Korea. Events related to the trilateral cooperation among Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul are discussed.

This paper investigates Japanese bank managers' use of the discretionary component of loan loss provisions to manage earnings during the recession of the late 1990s. Although studies of US banks document that bank managers use loan loss provisions to smooth earnings, manage regulatory capital, and signal undervaluation, factors that may affect discretionary loan loss provisions in Japanese banks have not been empirically examined. We find that discretionary loan loss provisions for our sample of Japanese banks are positively related to the demand for external financing, realized securities gains, and prior year taxes and are negatively related to capital and pre-managed earnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: While much attention has previously been paid to the well-known phenomenon of subject omission in Japanese, the flip side of the same phenomenon – namely, cases where the subjects are overtly expressed, in particular even in typical environments for the omission – has been neglected in the literature of Japanese linguistics. Focusing on first and second person subjects, the current study details the role of their overt use in conversations, and shows that in addition to the function in discourse contexts, such as ‘contrastiveness’ and ‘emphasis’, the overt expression of first and second person subjects is a useful tool to index the speaker''s social relationship with the other participant, such as social difference or intimacy. This is particularly important for a group of pro-drop languages like Japanese and Korean, in which the expression of difference is the norm and a variety of personal references play a significant role in expressing such difference, as well as intimacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the construction of military prostitution in South Korea during the U.S. military rules 1945-1948. Since September 1945 when the 24th Army Corps led by General John R. Hodge, arrived to accept the transfer of power over Korea from the Japanese empire, U.S. soldiers stationed on military bases have had a significant presence in Korean society. The presence of prostitutes around military bases and the state regulation of sex workers who serve soldiers have been common features of European, U.S., and Asian military systems. Officially, U.S. Department of Defense policy prohibits prostitution in areas under its control. The policy of prohibition was intended to protect the "efficiency, health, and welfare of the Army and Navy.

The article offers information on the research that investigates the diagnosis and treatment of transverse testis ectopia (TTE) in Japan. Researchers reviewed different cases of TTE from January 2006 to June 2013, including their clinical presentations, operative technique, and intraoperative findings. Moreover, they found that the etiology of TTE is unknown and diagnosis laparoscopy is discovered to be effectual in TTE diagnosis.

The article focuses on Japanese craftsmanship and modern technology. The author related seeing documentaries on the Japanese public television network NHK or Japan Broadcasting Network which focused on Japanese youth taking over the family business although they may have graduated from elite universities. He believed that this tradition has bred a professionalism that has served as the driving force to turn Japan into a powerhouse of making things.

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Gumiganghwal-tang (GGT, known as Kumi-Kyokatsu-to in Japanese) is a traditional herbal prescription made from nine different herbs that is used for the treatment of the common cold, pain, and inflammatory diseases. Aim of the study: This study evaluated the potential genotoxicity of an aqueous GGT extract using three standard battery of tests as part of a safety evaluation. Materials and methods: We prepared GGT using a water extraction method and subsequently extracted six compounds from GGT by high performance liquid chromatography. GGT extract genotoxicity was assayed using three standard tests including the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test, the in vitro chromosomal aberration test with Chinese hamster lung cells, and the in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mouse bone marrow recommended by the Korean Food and Drug Administration. Results: The bacterial reverse mutation assay showed that GGT extract doses ranging from 333.3 up to 5000mg/plate induced a greater than 2-fold increase in the number of revertant TA1537 strain colonies exhibiting metabolic activation (with S-9 mix), when compared with the vehicle control. The chromosomal aberration test showed that GGT extract induced an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations after treatment for 6h with the S-9 mix and 22h without the S-9 mix, when compared with vehicle control. In contrast, the micronucleus test showed that GGT extract did not significantly increase the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) in ICR mouse bone marrow. Conclusions: Based on these results, it was concluded that GGT extract acted as a genotoxic material in our experimental conditions. We did not identify the compounds responsible for the induction of genotoxic effects, but it was significant that we provided a basic genotoxicity profile for GGT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fossil benthic and planktonic foraminifera from a part of core ND-02 and the published data of core ND-01 from the Nakdong River delta, southeast Korea were analyzed to evaluate the impact of the Tsushima Warm Current on coastal environments in the Korea/Tsushima Strait between Korea and Japan during the early to middle Holocene. Based on cluster analysis, four sample clusters (A, B, C, and D), suggestive of a landward–seaward gradient of environmental conditions, can be defined. According to the spatio-temporal and cluster distributions of benthic foraminifera in faunal compositions, the landward occurrence of benthic foraminifera was delimited in the inner part of the Nakdong River delta at ∼8–7 ka. The common occurrence of warm-water planktonic foraminifera suggests that this maximum landward expansion of benthic foraminifera within the delta was caused by the intensification of the Tsushima Warm Current in addition to sea level rise during the early to middle Holocene. Changes in both marine biota and sedimentation were reported in the coastal areas of southwestern Japan in that period. They were also caused by a precursor of the enhanced Tsushima Warm Current at ∼8 ka. Thus, the evolution of the Tsushima Warm Current during the early to middle Holocene is important for understanding various phenomena in the coastal environments of the Korea/Tsushima Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several Artemisia species are used as herbal medicines including the dried aerial parts of Artemisia capillaris, which are used as Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (known as “Injinho” in Korean medicinal terminology and “Yin Chen Hao” in Chinese). In this study, we developed tools for distinguishing between A. capillaris and 11 other Artemisia species that grow and/or are cultured in China, Japan, and Korea. Based on partial nucleotide sequences in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) that differ between the species, we designed primers to amplify a DNA marker for A. capillaris. In addition, to detect other Artemisia species that are contaminants of A. capillaris, we designed primers to amplify DNA markers of A. japonica, A. annua, A. apiacea, and A. anomala. Moreover, based on random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, we confirmed that primers developed in a previous study could be used to identify Artemisia species that are sources of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. By using these primers, we found that multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was a reliable tool to distinguish between A. capillaris and other Artemisia species and to identify other Artemisia species as contaminants of A. capillaris in a single PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Laminaria japonica is a brown alga, which is consumed widely in Korea, Japan, and China. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of L. japonica against oral microbial species to assess the possible application of L. japonica extracts in dental care products. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined in culture medium using a microdilution method. The MICs of ethanol extracts of L. japonica with oral streptococci were 62.5–500 μg/ml and the MBCs were 125–1000 μg/ml. The MICs of Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus were 250 and 62.5 μg/ml, respectively. The MBCs of A. naeslundii and A. odontolyticus were 500 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. The MICs were 250 and 62.5 μg/ml for Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. The killing of Streptococcus mutans and P. gingivalis was dependent on the incubation time. The killing of S. mutans, A. odontolyticus, and P. gingivalis was significantly dependent on the extract concentration. Bacterial treatment with L. japonica extracts changed the cell surface texture of S. mutans, A. odontolyticus, and P. gingivalis. The results of this study suggest that L. japonica extracts may be useful for the development of antimicrobial agents to combat oral pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]