Digital Commons Network^™

Juristic Consideration On The Separation Of Religion And Politics And Civil Religion, Hiroshi Nitta

Japanese Society and Culture

The separation of church and state is the separation of state power from religion. It prohibits the establishment of a state religion and the suppression of other religions. Whereas the First Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits the establishment of a state religion, the Japanese Constitution does not stipulate the separation of church and state in the clear terms. The second sentence of Article 20,Paragraph 1,Article 20,Paragraph 3,and Article 89 are the basis for this provision.

The separation of church and state means a division between the church and state, or the abolition of a state religion, and not the …

A Framework For Thinking About The Future Of Japanese Society In The Face Of Declining Fertility And Population, Hirotaka Nagaishi

Japanese Society and Culture

Japanese society is facing declining birthrates and a shrinking population. According to Yoshinori Hiroi, what is indispensable for promoting regional and urban revitalization and seeking sustainability in this situation is the selection of values and concepts for a desirable society rooted in community. This society will ultimately be realized through policy integration/comprehensive policies.

Therefore, we must envisage a desirable future society, taking the current social situation as the starting point. Robert and Edward Skidelsky see the current capitalist society as a “rich enough, poor enough society,” while Hiroi sees the future society as a “post-capitalist/post-industrial society” and considers it as …

Development Of An Integrated Well-Being Scale For Japan, Kyoko Shimada, Masayuki Kiriu

Japanese Society and Culture

Background: Although multiple scales related to well-being have been developed mainly in Western countries, it is important to consider Japanese cultural and historical elements when considering the concept of well-being in Japan. This study attempted to develop an integrated scale that considers Japanese cultural elements and characteristics.

Methods: As a preliminary survey, several Western made well-being scales were evaluated and 2 scales had factor structures that were generally as expected. Therefore, including these 2 scales, a total of 54 items (40 new items that represent characteristics that are important to Japanese) were added as integrated scales in the main analysis. …

Legal Regulation Of Communication Wiretapping, Lian Chen, Wenyu Zhong

Japanese Society and Culture

No abstract provided.

An Empirical Study On The Association Between Public Service Motivation And Job Satisfaction, And Other Factors: An Analysis Of Special Ward Employee Data Using Ordinary Least Squares And Quantile Regression Analysis, Reona Hayashi, Takeshi Fukaya, Masatoshi Minowa, Shigeo Nakajima, Shizuka Kajiwara

Japanese Society and Culture

This study aims to identify the association between public service motivation (PSM), job satisfaction, and other factors using ordinary least squares and quantile regression analyses. The following findings were clarified by analysing survey data from approximately 1,600 special ward employees. Job satisfaction, affective organisational commitment, and job performance are positively associated with PSM. Second, job stress and PSM are negatively associated with PSM. Third, there is a stable positive association between affective organisational commitment and PSM regardless of whether affective organisational commitment is high or low. Fourth, as job satisfaction and job performance increased, the positive association between job satisfaction, …

Debates Over Whether Tenno Is A Monarch Or Not, Thomas Makoto Naruse

Japanese Society and Culture

Article 1 of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that Tenno is the " symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Under Japanese Constitution, Tenno has deprived of political authorities, and prohibited from involving in the national politics. On the other hand, monarch's traditional merkmar includes a certain degree of governing power, which Tenno does not possess. Here arise the problem that Tenno is a monarch or not, and this problem also relates to the question of whether political system of Japan is a monarchy or a republic. This article introduces academic views on this topic, and shows …

Authentication Of Cybernetic Avatars And Legal System Challenges; With A View To The Trial Concept Of New Dimensional Domain Jurisprudence (Ai, Robot, And Avatar Law), Fumio Shimpo

Japanese Society and Culture

This article aims to illustrate the basis for the development of authentication, which will be the foundation of future cybernetic-avatar (CA) infrastructures, enabling the safe and secure use of CA’s. This will be realised by the authentication of CA operators (User Authentication Technology), identification and authentication of CA’s (CA Authentication), and ensuring connectivity and existence between operators (User Entities) and the CA’s themselves (CA Notarisation). An ELSI (Ethical, Legal, Social Implications) research platform will be established, to develop a new dimension of the legal field, that is, AI, Robot, and Avatar Law to solve the social issues and realise an …

The History Of Water Utility Management In Japan And The Recent Introduction Of Public-Private Partnerships: An Analysis Based On The Transaction Cost Concept, Akira Hachisu

Japanese Society and Culture

Japan’s water utility management is facing severe business challenges. During these circumstances, laws and systems are being developed to restructure the waterworks industry. Water utilities, as local public corporations, need to simultaneously pursue public interest and efficiency through public-private partnerships with private operators (public-private partnerships) and wide-area partnerships with neighboring operators.

The management foundations of Japan's water utilities have weakened, because they focus only on the effectiveness of accounting cost reductions. Specifically, the emphasis has been on the effect of reducing public sector finances, such as value for money. Outsourcing has been considered only by comparing accounting costs, such as …

Learning Needs To Improve Japanese Language Proficiency For International Students Aspiring To Attend Graduate School: Case Studies Of Japanese Language School Students, Bulag Altan

Japanese Society and Culture

The number of international graduate students in Japan has been increasing. However, some international students do not acquire the requisite Japanese language skills for studying because of their short stay in Japan before moving to graduate school. In many cases, students face difficulties and have research and language needs. In this study, we clarified the difficulties that students face and the need to improve their Japanese language ability to attend graduate school. We gained an understanding of the current learning situation of students in Japanese-language schools who aspire to graduate school. Additionally, we discuss the support that can contribute to …

Reinterpreting Article 9 Of Japanese Constitutional Law From The International Law Perspective, Hiroshi Saito

Japanese Society and Culture

This essay aims to demonstrate that the right of collective self-defense complements that of individual self-defense. Moreover, by exercising both rights of self-defense together, the ideals of the United Nations (UN) Charter and Japanese constitutional law can be implemented as stipulated.

However, this essay focuses on ensuring better consistency with the present time (synchronicity) rather than historical facts (historicity). Additionally, I have cited cases wherein the ideas and theories presented are controversial in academic circles. I cannot discuss them individually in this essay owing to space limitations, but I will consider them in a future opportunity. Finally, I would like …

Does Childcare Support Stimulate Women’S Employment?, Masako Kamada, Kazuyasu Kawasaki

Japanese Society and Culture

A childcare support policy was implemented as part of gender equality and countermeasures to the falling birthrate in Japan. One of the childcare support policies was provided preschool service free of charge in October 2019.

In this paper, we analyze whether this childcare cost reduction policy was effective or not. Especially, we focus on whether this childcare support policy contribute to accelerate female labor force participation or not. As a result of our analysis, we show childcare cost reduction policy is ineffective of female labor force participation.

The Legal Order In East Asian Family Law, Sai Sasaki

Japanese Society and Culture

No abstract provided.

Coal In Modern Japanese History, Tomoki Shimanishi

Japanese Society and Culture

This study investigates the relationship between coal and the modern Japanese economy from a historical perspective. Because Japan has utilized coal since the dawn of industrialization, we focus on various aspects, such as a primary energy source, a trade good, and a substance of environmental burden.

(1) Coal was not only an export good but also the most important primary energy source for Japan’s industrialization. However, coal imports grew after WWI. After all, the amount of imported coal surpassed domestic coal production in the late 1960s. (2) In the end of the 19th century, major coal mines abandoned the butty …

Pandemics And The Protection Of Privacy And Personal Information: Issues Concerning The Restriction On The Right To Privacy In Emergencies, Fumio Shimpo

Japanese Society and Culture

This article focuses on issues which need to be considered in aiming to ensure both the effectiveness of infectious disease control measures and the protection of the right to privacy from the following perspectives.

(1) Issues regarding the restriction of the right to privacy in emergency situations, including (i) the types of measures taken in emergency situations and issues with respect to the restriction of the right to privacy in emergency situations, (ii) the normalisation, constancy and fixation of exceptional measures in emergency situations, (iii) dual-use and use for purposes different from those originally intended, (iv) acquisition of secondary information …

Development Of Regional Revitalization Policy By Roadside Stations: From Its Birth To A New Response In Post-Covid World, Ryusaku Matsuo

Japanese Society and Culture

The Roadside Station is expected to serve as the base facilities for the regional revitalization, with functions for rest, information transmission and regional alliance. In this study, the reason why the Roadside Station has developed as it is today examined from the social background and institutional characteristics, and future issues are considered. First, the institutional characteristics of Roadside Stations are theoretically examined, and the original system supporting them is examined and analyzed. The case analysis on the effort of Priority "Roadside Station" is carried out. Second, a case study is conducted on the new development of Roadside Stations, and the …

Analysis Of Factors Affecting Child Poverty Rates In Prefectures, Takahiro Suzuki, Kazutoshi Tanabe

Japanese Society and Culture

The Japanese government enacted the “[A1] "Act to Accelerate Policies for Disadvantaged Kids”" in 2013, in the face of a society where one in seven children are faced withare in financial difficulties. The enforcement of this law requiresd local governments to formulate and implement measures to address child poverty. However, it is evident that various factors have an impact on the child poverty rate, and the relative impact of these factors is not yet known yet. Consequently, local governments face[A2] there are many challenges in the implementing[A3] implementation of poverty-[A4] reduction measures by local governments. In …

Recent Trends In The Canadian Automobile Industry From 2007 To 2022: The Increasing Presence Of Japanese Automakers In Canada, Tamiko Kurihara

Japanese Society and Culture

Abstract

This paper attempts to clarify characteristics of the Canadian automobile industry after the Lehman Shock of 2008. The examination, based on motor vehicle production units from 2007 to 2021, reveals the following three points. First, from the global perspective, the center of automobile production shifted from developed countries to emerging economies such as China. Second, within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), automobile production shifted toward Mexico. Finally, with the increase in automobile production by Toyota and Honda, their presence has grown in the Canadian automobile industry.

The United States government along with the Canadian federal and the Ontario provincial …

Organizing The Development Of The High-Speed Railway Network And Measures Taken On Parallel Conventional Railways In Japan Since The 1990s, Daisuke Fujii

Japanese Society and Culture

Japan’s nationwide railway network is narrow gauge (1067 mm). By contrast, the high-speed railway, which started service in 1964, is standard gauge (1435 mm). Narrow-gauge railway lines, or “conventional lines,” and standard-gauge high-speed railway lines, or “Shinkansen,” are independent of each other and do not connect directly or mix. However, as railway technology has advanced and the Japanese government has expanded the high-speed railway network throughout Japan, limited sections of the Shinkansen and conventional lines now operate interconnectedly. Deteriorating market share and labor-management relations led to the Japanese National Railways (J.N.R.), which had operated Japan’s high-speed railway system, being declared …

A Recent Case Concerning Article 9 Of The Japanese Constitution, In Which Plaintffs’ Allegations Were Denied On The Basis Of Lack Of Violation Of Legally Protected Rights Were Not Violated, Thomas Makoto Naruse

Japanese Society and Culture

This note introduces a case in Tokyo district court. In which case, plaintiffs alleged actions of cabinet and legislature were against Constitution. Plaintiffs claimed their rights (right to live in peace, personality rights, etc.). However, the court denied plaintiffs claim, because plaintiffs legally protected rights were not infringed. In the course of the judgment, the courts’ view on judicial power is shown. This note introduce the case from the perspective of elements of judicial power, especially requirement of concreteness of rights.

Maritime Trade And The World Picture: Exploring Shiga Shigetaka's Map Of Global Trade, Chinying Lee

Japanese Society and Culture

Shiga Shigetaka (志賀重昂, 1863-1927) was a Japanese geographer of the mid-Meiji period, one of the Southern Expedition theorists, a conservative, and a Classical Chinese poet. At that time, he was one of the very few scholars who had knowledge of geography and Classical Chinese poetry and cultural arts, as well as had many experiences in Europe, Asia, the United States and Oceania.

Through his own geographical knowledge and foreign experience, Shiga constructed a world map with global trade as the main constituent. Here are some examples: Japanese-made round paper fans (uchiwa, 団扇) and parasols can be sold to Australia; New …

Job Perspectives Of University Students Aspiring To Become Civil Servants Using Q Sort: Based On The 2020 Toyo University Student Survey, Masatoshi Minowa

Japanese Society and Culture

This study questioned what kind of gap in perceptions of work perspectives exists between current and aspiring civil servants in the first place, and whether there are differences in perceptions of work perspectives between students who aspire to become civil servants and those who aspire to work in the private sector. This was examined in an exploratory approach by using data from Q Sort, a Q methodology study, to capture the value perceptions surrounding work perspectives, particularly among students who aspire to become civil servants. The data compared were students aspiring to become civil servants, students aspiring to work in …

‘Aboutness’ Relation In Japanese Topicalization: An Analysis Of The Np1 Wa Np2 Da Construction, Megumi Yoshida

Japanese Society and Culture

This study investigates the comprehension of a Japanese topicalized construction with the structure NP₁ wa (topic) NP₂ da (copula) by native speakers of Japanese. The meaning of this kind of sentence can be extremely ambiguous when NP₁ and NP₂ do not refer to an identical referent. However, it is usually not considered ambiguous when used in a particular context since the context indicates how it is meant to be understood. This study examines the uses of this construction in experimentally controlled contexts. The results indicate the significant effects of the syntactic or semantic relation with the …

Reform Of Procedure About Civil Remedies For Victims Of Slander On The Internet In Japan, Hiroshi Shimizu

Japanese Society and Culture

In recent years, suicides caused by slander on the Internet have become a major social problem in Japan. However, the procedure for disclosure of sender’s information, which is used to prepare for filing a lawsuit claiming damages against the wrongdoer, had problems regarding the structure of the procedure and the subject of disclosure. Therefore, the Act on Limitation of Liability of Providers was amended in 2021. This paper provides an overview of this amendment.

The Community-Based Integrated Care System In The Context Of The Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Pandemic, Koichi Asakura

Japanese Society and Culture

Abstract

Since the establishment of the Long-term Care Insurance System in 2000, the promotion of the Community-based Integrated Care System has been advocated in COVID-19 Pandemic. But "H30 Research Report on Community-based Integrated Care" expects mutual aid based on self-help, while accepting economic and health disparities on the ground of "inevitable disparities". We will discuss the Community-based Integrated Care System in the era of emerging viruses with a view to infectious disease pandemics such as the novel coronavirus pandemic in relation to the significance and prospects of ACP (Advance Care Planning).

Reconsidering The Senkaku Islands Issue From An International Legal Perspective, Motoyasu Nozawa

Japanese Society and Culture

According to Japan’s position, it is clear that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan, as evidenced by both historical facts and international law, and therefore there is no “disputes” about the sovereign title of the islands. However, in Mavro Mmatis En Palestine, a dispute is a disagreement on a point of law or fact, a conflict of legal view or interests between two parties, and it is not sufficient for one party to a contentious case to assent that a dispute exists with the other party.

The Policy Of Plastic Waste Reduction: A Case Of Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration, Yoshiyuki Nobusawa

Japanese Society and Culture

Marine plastics and microplastics become the global problem. In Japan the mandatory charge for a plastic bag was introduced as the plastic measure. Kanagawa Prefecture, located in Japan's metropolitan area, has implemented advanced plastic measures. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of local governments concurring with the approved. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of the local government approving．Kanagawa is divided into four areas: urban areas, coastal areas, inland, and mountainous region. This paper analyzes the method for zero plastic waste.

Essay On The Revitalization Of Local Communities, Hiroshi Saito

Japanese Society and Culture

It is difficult to theorize regional revitalization due to the differences in the characteristics of each local government. However, it may be possible to generalize its basic features: “regional management” and “financial surplus.” The problem of regional revitalization is conventionally discussed from a perspective of public administration. However, this paper reexamines the problem from a management theory perspective. Considering the starting point of regional revitalization is the surplus of public finances, attention is focused on the local tax law, especially on the importance of inhabitant tax, fixed property tax, and resident population policy. The paper also shows that the attraction …

A Study On The Sports Industry In Edo: Preface To A Study Of The History Of The Sports Industry In Early Modern Japan, Hironori Tanigama

Japanese Society and Culture

This study discusses what sorts of industries developed in Edo during the early modern period and their characteristics, with a specific look at the sports industry. The results of this study are as follows. 1. In the 17th century, the sports industry in Edo targeted the ruling samurai class. Samurai in Edo were fond of sumo tournaments and archery exhibition competitions; both were heavily influenced by the Kyoto area (then the capital). At the time, traditions carried on since the Middle Ages remained strong in the world of sports. 2. At the end of the 17th century, various urban sports …

Pathetic Beauty: Mono No Aware In Hollywood Cinema –To Family And Friends In These Estranged Times–, Aaron Francis Ward

Japanese Society and Culture

Mono no aware is considered to be one of the central-most Japanese aesthetics and distinctive to Japanese identity (Keene 1995; Miller 2011). This aesthetic standpoint finds wistful beauty in the transient, and is most often translated to ‘beauty in pathos’ or ‘the ah-ness of things’ (Hume 1995), as exemplified in the Heian-era classic, The Tale of Genji (Murasaki 1981). To the outside world, mono no aware is most commonly associated with cherry-blossom viewing, where the short-lived existence of the falling cherry blossom is seen as a metonym for contemplation of the beauty in the transience of life itself. Although this …

The “Community-Based Integrated Care System” And Discourse Ethics – From The Viewpoint Of Autonomy And Solidarity –, Koichi Asakura

Japanese Society and Culture

Since the establishment of the Long-term Care Insurance System in 2000, the promotion of the Community-based Integrated Care System has been promoted. The policy of the Long-term Care Insurance System sets in-home care services before reducing the economic burden in this country. However, this idea is not used in the latest report. The policy that individuals requiring care and terminal stage patients be sent into a large-scale accommodation in a depopulated area and live there until they die, is not adopted because of the belief or philosophy of the foundation of respect for dignity. In this study, I discuss the …