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In the investigation of contact safety assessment of collaborative work between robot systems and humans, the development of a sensor-equipped human dummy is a viable approach for obtaining the internal distribution of strain or stress. It is considered necessary to develop a dummy that faithfully replicates human mechanical characteristics. This paper presents the design and construction of a finger dummy that replicates the dimensions and mechanical characteristics of the human finger. Ultrasound technology is employed to gauge the soft tissue thickness, enabling determination of previously unknown phalanx dimensions. The research also delves into the investigation of the coefficient of friction and elastic property to approximate the human finger. Various surface treatment techniques are used to adjust the friction coefficient. Furthermore, the elasticity of the improved palm dummy samples is assessed based on the strain–stress relationship. These mechanical characteristics were effectively optimized through a meticulous comparison of the measurement results obtained from both the dummy samples and actual human fingers.

This article provides an overview of the relationship between Japan and North Korea, with a focus on the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea. It discusses a citizens' rally in Tokyo calling for the return of abductees and the normalization of relations. The Japanese government has expressed its commitment to resolving the abduction issue, but North Korea has called for a fresh proposal from Japan. The article also explores the history of the Japan-North Korea relationship, including Japan's role in the Korean War and the issue of abductions. It concludes by highlighting differing perspectives on the issue, with civil society in Japan and South Korea opposing a trilateral military alliance between the US, Japan, and South Korea. The text suggests that peace diplomacy and non-antagonistic relations are crucial for improving relations between Japan and North Korea. [Extracted from the article]

APJ Subscription Drive November-December 2019 Tensions between the US and China are reaching fever pitch in the era of Donald Trump, with mounting conflict between the US and China, the US and North Korea, China and the nations of the South China Sea, Okinawa and the US-Japan, and Japan and its neighbors, Korea and Taiwan. We believe this makes the work of APJ more important than ever. We have no corporate, foundation or university angel, so our ability to publish relies on our core supporters. Your support allows us to provide APJ free to our 19,000 regular readers and thousands of others around the world who access the journal through reprints and other sources. Our goal: $12,000. We thank supporters for helping us raise $5,400 toward our goals. $6,600 to go. If you value the journal, please go to our homepage http://apjjf.org/Subscribe where you can both subscribe to our semi-monthly Newsletter and contribute (tax free) via Paypal or credit card. Enter your email address and an amount and click on Paypal. You can pay by credit card or paypal. We need support in the range of $100-500-1,000 to maintain the site. This brief talk examines the San Francisco System—the geo-political order inaugurated in September 1951 in the combined terms of the San Francisco Treaty and the US-Japan Security Pact. The San Francisco System did not bring an end to war as many imagine; rather, it set the stage for war elsewhere—namely Korea. In short, the San Francisco System has provided the framework for the United States to continue fighting the Korean War indefinitely and has defined Japan's place in this nexus. The system was strengthened during the Vietnam War, and only began to show signs of revision in 1972 with US-China reconciliation. The end of the Cold War brought US-Soviet reconciliation and the demise of the Soviet State Socialist system. Notwithstanding, an isolated Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) remained in confrontation within the framework of the San Francisco System and has developed its own nuclear weapons. By the end of 2017, North Korea and the United States were on the brink of war. A dramatic change then took place: the Singapore Summit between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un opened a peace process, which ultimately could dismantle the San Francisco System. In the long run, I believe that a Northeast Asia community model will replace the San Francisco System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia-Pacific Journal Subscription Drive July 2019 With tensions between the US and China at fever pitch in the era of Donald Trump, with mounting conflict between the US and Korea, between China and the nations of the South China Sea, and between Okinawa and the US-Japan, APJ is a vital resource. The media has treated the primary conflicts as economic and financial, but they are deeply intertwined with geopolitical conflicts that could easily lead to war including nuclear war. APJ has no corporate, foundation or university angel, so our ability to publish relies heavily on our core supporters. We come to you twice a year to request the financial support that allows us to provide APJ free to our 22,000 regular readers and thousands of others around the world who receive the journal as subscribers or via Facebook or Twitter. The journal is strong and growing. We need support to publish and to maintain it free to global readers. If you value the journal, please go to our homepage http://apjjf.org/Subscribe where you can both subscribe to our semi-monthly Newsletter and contribute (tax free) via Paypal or credit card. All contributions are welcome. But we need support in the range of $100-500-1,000 to maintain the site toward our annual goal of $12,000. We're $1,900 toward our goal. Thank you for your support. The Editors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the normalization of the Japan-North Korea relations pursued by former Korean leader Kim Jong-il. It mentions of Kim Jong-il's attempts in resolving outstanding issues with the U.S. and Japan when he sent Vice Marshal Jo Myong-rok to the U.S. and when he met with Japanese Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro in 2000. It elaborates on the North Korea's willingness to recall its demand for compensation for the atrocities during Japan's colonial rule in exchange for economic aid. It presents the discussions that took place during the two summit meetings between North Korea and Japan in 2002 and 2004 which resulted to the Pyongyang Declaration. The author believes that the two countries must pursue what it has started under Kim Jong-il.

In this article the author reflects on the need for South Koreans and people throughout the region to create a comprehensive solution to the problems of division and war in Korea. He examines the statement issued by North Korea on its bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island on November 24, 2010. He suggests that the South Korean perception of North Korea as a poor country resulted in the feeling that the North no longer poses a serious threat to the South. The author also believes that North Korea is committed to developing a peace system with the U.S.

The article discusses the dispute between China and Japan over the ownership of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The dispute begun when Japanese patrol boats intercepted a Chinese fishing trawler near the islands in the East China Sea on September 7, 2010. The Japanese government claims that the Senkaku Islands are under its control. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced on September 21, 2010 that the Diaoyu Islands are under China's sacred territory and that arrest of the fishing trawler captain was illegal and unjustifiable.

An essay about the relationship between Japan and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is presented. It describes the state of the Japan-DPRK diplomatic relationship, along with why DPRK was said to the most hated and feared country for the majority of Japanese people. It traces the visit paid by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Korea in 2002. The essay also discusses the popular consciousness and mainstream media in Japan.

The article focuses on the victims of the imperial Japanese forces during World War II called "Comfort Women." The term refers to the women who, during the last war, were rounded up into Japanese military Comfort Stations by the Japanese army and forced to provide sexual services for soldiers. In 1995, the Murayama government expressed its deep remorse over colonialism and aggression, apologized in particular to the Comfort Women and set up the Asian Women's Fund, a joint project of the people of Japan and the Government. It cites the criticisms against the Fund. In 2007, with the winding-up of the Fund, its resources were preserved in the form of the Digital Museum introduced by Wada Haruki, its original proponent and executive managing-director.