Control In Japan Research Articles

Industry Speed Bumps on Local Tobacco Control in Japan? The Case of Hyogo

BackgroundDespite being a signatory since 2004, Japan has not yet fully implemented Article 8 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regarding 100% protection against exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS). The Japanese government still recognizes designated smoking rooms (DSRs) in public space as a valid control measure. Furthermore, subnational initiatives for tobacco control in Japan are of limited effectiveness. Through an analysis of the Hyogo initiative in 2012, we identified key barriers to the achievement of a smoke-free environment.MethodsUsing a descriptive case-study approach, we analyzed the smoke-free policy development process. The information was obtained from meeting minutes and other gray literature, such as public records, well as key informant interviews.ResultsHyogo Prefecture established a committee to propose measures against SHS, and most committee members agreed with establishing completely smoke-free environments. However, the hospitality sector representatives opposed regulation, and tobacco companies were allowed to make a presentation to the committee. Further, political power shifted against completely smoke-free environments in the context of upcoming local elections, which was an obvious barrier to effective regulation. Throughout the approving process, advocacy by civil society for stronger regulation was weak. Eventually, the ordinance approved by the Prefectural Assembly was even weaker than the committee proposal and included wide exemptions.ConclusionsThe analysis of Hyogo’s SHS control initiative shed light on three factors that present challenges to implementing tobacco control regulations in Japan, from which other countries can also draw lessons: incomplete national legislation, the weakness of advocacy by the civil society, and the interference of the tobacco industry.

Occurrence of Mycotoxin Pollution of Forage Crops and Its Control in Japan

Occurrence of Mycotoxin Pollution of Forage Crops and Its Control in Japan

The burden of rare cancer in Japan: Application of the RARECARE definition

BackgroundDespite the fact that rare cancer is a new target of cancer control in Japan, the incidence of rare cancers is unknown and there is no generally accepted definition of rare cancers in this country. With the aim of calculating incidences of rare cancers in Japan, we therefore adopted a definition and classification of rare cancers that had been published in the European Union (EU) in 2011. MethodsUsing incidence data between 1998 and 2007 submitted by 12 of population based cancer registries in Japan that met our quality criteria and drawing on the EU definition (incidence <6 per 100,000 per year), we estimated the incidences of 845 combinations of tumor sites and histological groups and thus identified the cancers that are rare in Japan. ResultsAfter identifying 193 combinations of tumor sites and histological groups that fit our criteria for rare cancers, we estimated their incidence to be about 75 per 100,000, which corresponds to about 94,800 new diagnoses in 2012 or approximately 15% of all cancer diagnoses. The categorization of rare and common cancers was almost the same in Japan as in EU. ConclusionsThe present study provides an indication of the size of the rare cancer burden in Japan and epidemiological information to explore this. We are expecting further discussion based on our results with stakeholders in order to construct a Japanese definition of rare cancers.

East Asian Regionalisms and Korea in the 1940’s

이 ë ¼ë¬¸ì€ 미국의 동아시아 지역 내 중국 대국화 구상과 일본의 비군사화 및 민주화 구상이라는 커다란 ì •ì± êµ¬ìƒ 속에서 1940ë „ëŒ€ë¥¼ 중심으로 동아시아를 둘러싼 지역주의의 여러 ìœ í˜•ê³¼ ê·¸ 속에서의 한국의 위치에 대한 ê³ ì°°ì„ ëª©ì  으로 한다. ì „í›„ 동아시아 지역주의 ë¬¸ì œë¥¼ ë¶„ì„í• ë•Œ, 동아시아 ëƒ‰ì „ì— 의해 형성된 측면만이 아니라 ‘세기 ì „í™˜ê¸°â€™ë¶€í„° 형성되어 온 동북아시아 지역의 지 역구조가 아시아 태평양 ì „ìŸì„ 경계로 재구축되었다. 1940ë „ëŒ€ ì „ë°˜ë¶€í„° 일본 은 대동아공영권을 ì œì‹œí•˜ë©´ì„œ, 동아시아 지역질서 속에서의 패권국의 지위를 자기 ì •ë‹¹í™”í•˜ëŠ” 지역질서 ë ¼ë¦¬ë¥¼ 드러냈다. 또한 íŒ¨ì „ 후 ë‚˜íƒ€ë‚ ì¼ë³¸ì˜ 식민 지 처리를 둘러싼 미국과 일본의 ì „í›„ 처리 구상이 동아시아 지역질서 구상과 깊은 ê´€ë ¨ 속에서 나타났다.ì œ2ì°¨ ì„¸ê³„ëŒ€ì „ì—ì„œ 승리한 미국은 이미 세계 대국이란 위상 속에서 미국, 영국, 중국, ì†Œë ¨ì„ 주축으로 강대국간 협조를 ì „ì œë¡œ 한 4대 경찰국가 구상을 드러냈다. 일본은 íŒ¨ì „ 상황 속에서 ìƒì¡´ì „ëžµì„ 안출했다. 이러한 구상들은 ì „ 쟁이 한창인 1940ë „ëŒ€ ì „ë°˜ê¸°ë¶€í„° 동아시아 지역에 대한 광역권 인식이었다는 ì ì—ì„œ ì „ìŸ 시기의 현상 인식과 ì „í›„ì˜ ì „ë§ 사이의 연속성 속에서 1940ë „ëŒ€ 의 의미를 찾아보았다.1940ë „ëŒ€ 동아시아 지역에는 다음 세 가지 ìœ í˜•ì˜ 지역주의가 등장했다. 첫 번째 ìœ í˜•ì€ 일본을 역내 패권국으로 하는 동아시아 지역질서 구상이다. ì œêµ­ 일본은 역내패권을 ìœ ì§€í•˜ê¸° 위한 ê²½ì œì  ë‚´ì„ ì¼ì²´ë¡ ì†ì—ì„œ 한국의 의미를 부 여하였다.두 번째 ìœ í˜•ì€ 역외패권국으로서의 미국이 동아시아 지역 내 하위 파트너로 서 중국을 ì„ íƒí•˜ê³ ìˆ˜í‰ì  ì‚°ì— ë¶„ì— ì„ 기조로 일본을 ì–µì œí•˜ê³ ìž 한 구상이었 다. 미국은 일본의 ì‹ë¯¼ì§€ê²½ì œ ì§€ë°°ë ¥ì„ ì•½í™”ì‹œí‚¤ë ¤ëŠ” 목표 속에서 한일 간의 ê²½ì œì  관계를 ë‹¨ì ˆì‹œí‚¤ê³ ìž 하였다.세 번째 ìœ í˜•ì€ ëƒ‰ì „ì´ 동아시아에 확산되자 지역 내 하위파트너로 일본을 ì„ íƒí•œ 미국의 동아시아 ìˆ˜ì§ì  ì‚°ì— ë¶„ì— ì„ 통한 ì§€ì—­ê²½ì œí†µí•© 구상이었다. 미 국은 첫 번째 ìœ í˜•ì˜ ë¶€ë¶„ì  ë„ìž ì„ 계획했지만 ìžì‹ ì˜ í†µì œ 하에 일본을 ë‘ ìœ¼ 로써 동아시아 ëƒ‰ì „ì—ì„œ ìžì‹ ì˜ 영역을 í™•ë³´í•˜ê³ ìž 했던 것이다. 이 구상 속에 서 한국은 미국의 관리 하에서 일본과의 ê²½ì œì  통합 대상으로 ê·œì •ë˜ì—ˆë‹¤. 냉 ì „ìœ¼ë¡œ 인한 동아시아 지역의 분단은 첫 번째 ìœ í˜•ì—ì„œ 활용되었던 ì‚°ì— ì—°ê´€êµ¬ 조가 붕괴함으로써 동아시아 지역질서는 새로운 ìž¬ì¡°ì •ì„ 겪어야 했으며, 그것 은 동아시아 지역에서의 한국의 위치 ê·œì •ì— ê²°ì •ì  영향을 주었다. ì£¼ì œì–´: 동아시아 지역주의, ê´‘ì—­ê²½ì œ, 대동아공영권, ê²½ì œì  ë‚´ì„ ì¼ì²´ë¡ , ì „ì‹œê¸° 미국의 ì „í›„êµ¬ìƒ, 폴리 ë°°ìƒì‚¬ì ˆë‹¨, ì •ë¶€ë¬´ì—­

Wealth Effects of Acquisitions in New Active Market for Corporate Control

This study examines wealth effects of mergers and acquisitions in developing mergers and acquisitions market by using data of both domestic and cross-border acquisitions by Japanese firms. Although Japan had the second largest GDP in the world during the analyzed period, active market for corporate control in Japan started recently. The results indicate that M&A by Japanese firms enhance shareholder wealth. We also show that larger synergy realized in horizontal acquisitions with full control of target firms. Existence of outside directors and monitoring by shareholders contribute the post-acquisition performance. We provide evidence that acquisitions by Japanese firms play similar role as those in the US and the UK.

Case-control study of diabetes-related genetic variants and pancreatic cancer risk in Japan.

To examine whether diabetes-related genetic variants are associated with pancreatic cancer risk. We genotyped 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PPARG2 (rs1801282), ADIPOQ (rs1501299), ADRB3 (rs4994), KCNQ1 (rs2237895), KCNJ11 (rs5219), TCF7L2 (rs7903146), and CDKAL1 (rs2206734), and examined their associations with pancreatic cancer risk in a multi-institute case-control study including 360 cases and 400 controls in Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect detailed information on lifestyle factors. Genotyping was performed using Fluidigm SNPtype assays. Unconditional logistic regression methods were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between these diabetes-associated variants and pancreatic cancer risk. With the exception of rs1501299 in the ADIPOQ gene (P = 0.09), no apparent differences in genotype frequencies were observed between cases and controls. Rs1501299 in the ADPIOQ gene was positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk; compared with individuals with the AA genotype, the age- and sex-adjusted OR was 1.79 (95%CI: 0.98-3.25) among those with the AC genotype and 1.86 (95%CI: 1.03-3.38) among those with the CC genotype. The ORs remained similar after additional adjustment for body mass index and cigarette smoking. In contrast, rs2237895 in the KCNQ1 gene was inversely related to pancreatic cancer risk, with a multivariable-adjusted OR of 0.62 (0.37-1.04) among individuals with the CC genotype compared with the AA genotype. No significant associations were noted for other 5 SNPs. Our case-control study indicates that rs1501299 in the ADIPOQ gene may be associated with pancreatic cancer risk. These findings should be replicated in additional studies.

Changes in oral antidiabetic prescriptions and improved glycemic control during the years 2002-2011 in Japan (JDDM32).

Six kinds of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), including the new dipeptidyl peptidase4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, are available. The present study aimed to define trends within the prescribing patterns of OADs, as well as changes in glycemic control in Japan over a 10-year period from 2002 to 2011. We carried out a cross-sectional study using data of type2 diabetes mellitus patients from 24 clinics for 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. OAD use was analyzed combined with clinical data. Sulfonylureas (SUs) were the most commonly used OAD, but their use for monotherapy markedly decreased over the study period. Biguanides (BGs) were the second most commonly used OAD, and their prescribing rate increased both for mono- and combination therapy. DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4I), released in 2009, were the third most commonly prescribed OAD in 2011 both for mono- and combination therapy. Among combination therapies, two OADs were mostly prescribed, but the use of three OADs and four OADs in 2011 was two- and 14.8-fold those in 2002. These trends were accompanied by an improvement in average glycated hemoglobin from 7.5±1.2% in 2002 to 7.1±0.9% in 2011. The OAD prescribing trend has moved away from monotherapy with SUs and toward combination therapies to achieve better glycemic control. Increased use of BGs and DPP-4I was predominant in 2011. These trends were accompanied by an improvement of the glycated hemoglobin level.

Folate-Related Nutrients, Genetic Polymorphisms, and Colorectal Cancer Risk: the Fukuoka Colorectal Cancer Study

One-carbon metabolism plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Meta-analyses have suggested protective associations of folate and vitamin B6 intakes with colorectal cancer primarily based on studies in Caucasians, and genetic polymorphisms pertaining to the folate metabolism have been a matter of interest. Less investigated are the roles of methionine synthase (MTR) and thymidylate synthetase (TS) polymorphisms in colorectal carcinogenesis. In a study of 816 cases and 815 community controls in Japan, we investigated associations of dietary intakes of folate, methionine, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 with colorectal cancer risk. The associations with MTR 2756A>G, MTRR 66A>G, and TSER repeat polymorphism were examined in 685 cases and 778 controls. Methionine and vitamin B12 intakes were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, but the associations were totally confounded by dietary calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The other nutrients showed no association with the risk even without adjustment for calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The TSER 2R allele was dose-dependently associated with an increased risk. The MTR and MTRR polymorphisms were unrelated to colorectal cancer risk. There was no measurable gene-gene or gene-nutrient interaction, but increased risk associated with the TSER 2R allele seemed to be confined to individuals with high folate status. This study does not support protective associations for folate and vitamin B6. The TSER 2R allele may confer an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The role of the TSER polymorphism in colorectal carcinogenesis may differ by ethnicity.

Present State and Problems of Work Environment Control in the Workplaces using Hazardous Materials based on the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Japan

In Japan, working environment measurement is prescribed in the designated workplaces using hazardous materials. Measurements should be carried out periodically and countermeasures are performed depending on the results. By introducing such a system, working environments have remarkably improved. However, in the designated workplaces, measurements should be continued even in work environments found safe. On the other hand, measurement need not be obliged for non-designated workplaces even if hazardous materials are utilized.In the United States of America and many European countries, work environment management and work management are carried out by measuring personal exposure concentrations. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is now discussing the introduction of personal exposure monitoring. However, many problems exist to prevent the simple introduction of American and European methods. This paper describes the brief history, present state and problems of work environment control in Japan, comparing with the systems of American and European countries.

Japan's security policy in relation to normal statehood

The paper begins by establishing the context in which Japan's normal statehood will be based. The paper shows how difficult it is for Japan to attain the status of a normal state based on the country's political forces and the rising powers in the Asian region. The paper looks at the relationships between Japan and other nations like China and South Korea, which should be considered by Japan in order to attain normal statehood. These are countries that initially were under the control of Japan, especially in business and even militarily, but today they are assuming their own position in the world; an aspect that is considered a threat to Japan's smooth return to normalcy. The paper takes into consideration the models that Japan can adopt or adapt to attain the status of a normal state. The three models discussed are those of Britain, Germany, and France. The main aspect discussed under these models is autonomy; this is based on the fact that Japan can only attain the status of a normal state if it becomes autonomous.

Prevalence of serum celiac antibody in patients with IBD in Japan

BackgroundAlthough the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Japan has increased, the prevalence of celiac disease is considered very low with the lowest genetic disposition. IBD is reported as the most common comorbidity because of the high positive rate of serological celiac markers. The aim of this study was to examine the current incidence of celiac disease, especially in IBD patients in Japan, where both wheat consumption and incidence of IBD have increased.MethodsA total of 172 patients with IBD and 190 controls in Japan were screened for serum antibody of tissue transglutaminase and deaminated gliadin peptide. In sero-positive patients, HLA testing and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal biopsy was performed. Some of the sero-positive patients started a gluten-restricted or unrestricted diet, and serological change was determined.ResultsThe positivity of both serum antibodies was significantly higher in IBD and correlated with disease activity. However, no biopsy-defined or HLA-defined true celiac disease was found. A decrease in serum antibody titers was observed with a gluten-restricted diet.ConclusionsDespite the increased incidence of IBD and high positivity for serum celiac antibody in Japanese IBD patients, no true-positive celiac disease was noted, suggesting the presence of gluten intolerance in these populations.

Year in review 2012: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Year in review 2012: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Japanese patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis show distinct personality profiles

Personality and emotional factors are supposed to influence the course of skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Few reports exist, however, showing distinct personality traits among patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis patients and healthy controls. The aim of the present study was to examine personality differences among psoriasis patients, atopic dermatitis patients and healthy controls in Japan. A total number of 51 psoriasis patients, 97 atopic dermatitis patients and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Questionnaires of Yatabe-Guilford Personality Inventory were administered individually. These groups were evaluated by 12 dimensions of temperaments. According to the dimension scores, personality was defined as five groups. Atopic dermatitis patients showed significantly higher scores regarding temperaments of depression, feelings of inferiority, nervousness and lack of objectivity than psoriasis patients. Regarding a temperament of cyclic tendency and lack of cooperativeness, female atopic dermatitis patients showed significantly higher scores than female psoriasis patients. Regarding general activity, female atopic dermatitis patients showed significantly lower scores than those of female psoriasis patients. No significant difference in scores of temperaments of lack of agreeableness, rhathymia, thinking extraversion, ascendance and social extraversion were detected among psoriasis patients, atopic dermatitis patients and healthy controls. The personalities of male psoriasis patients were significantly different from those of atopic dermatitis patients and healthy controls. Female psoriasis patients showed a significantly different personality profile from that of atopic dermatitis patients, but not from healthy controls. Japanese psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients show distinct personality profiles suggesting that specific a psychosomatic approach may be required during the treatment.

New Challenges in Cancer Control in Japan

On June 8, 2012 the Japanese Cabinet decided to launch the second term of the “Basic Plan for Promotion of Cancer Measures”.1 The first term was established in 2007 and was scheduled to be revised every 5 years under the terms of the Cancer Control Basic Act. During the first term of the basic plan (2007–2012), the essential infrastructure for cancer control was successfully improved. The number of designated cancer hospitals increased from 286 to 397, and now 68% of medical districts have such a hospital. All designated cancer hospitals have radiotherapy equipment, an outpatient chemotherapy center, and a center for cancer-related consultation and support. In addition, the number of prefectures with a regional cancer registry increased from 35 to 47 (ie, to all prefectures). Moreover, 30 000 medical doctors engaged in cancer treatment received training in palliative therapy. In an attempt to add to these improvements, the second term of the basic plan will further improve the quality of cancer control, in both the medical and social contexts, by setting overall goals, namely, decreasing the age-standardized cancer mortality rate, reducing pain and improving the lives of all cancer patients and their relatives, and creating a society in which people with cancer can live comfortably. To reach these goals, the new basic plan addresses the rapid decrease in the number of surgeons, so as to improve surgical treatment of cancer, and calls for continued improvements in radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The plan also promotes alleviation of pain immediately after a cancer diagnosis and cancer control among infants and people of working age. Cancer survivors often have difficulty finding work and supporting themselves financially after successful cancer treatment: 34% of Japanese workers living with cancer had lost their jobs or had retired. Furthermore, the new basic plan calls for further development of an accurate cancer registry and numerical targets for active and passive smoking and the percentage of the population receiving cancer screening. After the launch of the second term, discussions are already underway regarding enactment of new legislation and the development of more-ambitious cancer control. By focusing on the social and medical context of cancer, the new basic plan launched by the Japanese government will address challenges in global cancer control amongst cancer patients and cancer survivors. Figure.

Impairment of novel object recognition in adulthood after neonatal exposure to diazinon

Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide that is still heavily used in agriculture, home gardening, and indoor pest control in Japan. The present study investigated the effect of neonatal exposure to diazinon on hippocampus-dependent novel object recognition test performance and the expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and its signal transduction pathway-related genes in the hippocampi of young adult and adult mice. Male offspring of C3H/HeN mice were subcutaneously treated with 0, 0.5, or 5 mg/kg of diazinon for 4 consecutive days beginning on postnatal day (PND) 8. Beginning on PND 46 or PND 81, a novel object recognition test was performed on 4 consecutive days. The hippocampi were collected on PND 50 or PND 85 after the completion of the novel object recognition test, and the expression levels of neurotrophins and the NMDA receptor and its signal transduction pathway-related genes were examined using real-time RT-PCR. Diazinon-injected mice exhibited a poor ability to discriminate between novel and familiar objects during both the PND 49 and the PND 84 tests. The NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B and the related protein kinase calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)-IV and the transcription factor cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)-1 mRNA levels were reduced in the PND 50 mice. However, no significant changes in the expressions of the NMDA subunits and their signal transduction molecules were observed in the hippocampi of the PND 85 mice. The expression level of nerve growth factor mRNA was significantly reduced in the PND 50 or 85 mice. These results indicate that neonatal diazinon exposure impaired the hippocampus-dependent novel object recognition ability, accompanied by a modulation in the expressions of the NMDA receptor and neurotrophin in young adult and adult mice.

In Japanese patients with type A gastritis with pernicious anemia the condition is very poorly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection

There are conflicting views about the association between type A gastritis with pernicious anemia (PA) and infection with Helicobacter pylori, and currently, no definite conclusion has been reached. In this study, we evaluated H. pylori infection in patients with type A gastritis who developed PA. The study included a total of 25 Japanese patients (13 males and 12 females) who had been diagnosed with PA at our department, with a mean age of 71.2years. We diagnosed infection with H. pylori by measuring serum H. pylori-IgG antibodies in all 25 patients, and we performed gastric biopsy in 17 patients. They were all negative for H. pylori-IgG antibody (0/25) and H. pylori on gastric biopsy (0/17). Although the prevalence of H. pylori infection (70-80%) in our age-matched controls in Japan is higher than the prevalence in similar populations in western countries, we believe that type A gastritis with PA is very poorly associated with H. pylori infection.

HLA-DPB1*0201 is associated with susceptibility to atopic myelitis in Japanese

To determine the relationship between susceptibility to atopic myelitis (AM) and polymorphisms of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DPB1 and -DRB1 alleles, we compared each phenotype frequency between 55 AM patients and 367 unrelated healthy controls in Japan. The HLA-DPB1*0201 allele was significantly more frequent in AM patients than in healthy controls (54.5% vs. 31.9%, corrected P value=0.0150, odds ratio=2.564, 95% confidence interval=1.444–4.554). Our result suggests that the immunogenetic background of AM differs from that of other CNS autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, which show distinct HLA class II associations.

Health related quality of life after radical cystectomy: Comparative study between orthotopic sigmoid versus ileal neobladders

AimsTo comparatively assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between patients with sigmoid and ileal neobladders (NBs) following radical cystectomy. MethodsAt out institution, the HRQOL of all patients with an orthotopic NB was evaluated using a Short-Form 36 (SF-36) survey 12 months after surgery. Of these, this study included 212 patients, consisting of 88 with sigmoid NB and 124 with ileal NB. ResultsThere were no significant differences in all eight scores between sigmoid and ileal NB groups (SNBG and INBG, respectively); however, when compared with the scores in an age-matched control in Japan, one and two scores in SNBG and INBG, respectively, were significantly inferior, whereas one score in INBG was significantly favorable. Despite the lack of any significant differences in all scores between male SNBG and INBG, three scores in female SNBG were significantly superior to those in female INBG. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the contribution of several factors on each scale score in the SF-36 survey, and they revealed that the age and voiding status had independent impacts on two and three scores, respectively, despite the lack of an independent association between any scores and the remaining factors, including the type of NB. ConclusionsThe postoperative HRQOL of patients with NB was shown to be generally favorable irrespective of the type of NB; however, the HRQOL, particularly that associated with physical and social functions, appeared to be significantly impaired in elderly patients and/or those not able to spontaneously void.

Role of experts and public participation in pollution control: the case of Itai-itai disease in Japan&lt;sup&gt;1

ESEP Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics Contact the journal RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections ESEP 12:99-111 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00126 Role of experts and public participation in pollution control: the case of Itai-itai disease in Japan1 Masanori Kaji Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology, Group of History of Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, W9-79, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan *Email: kaji.m.aa@m.titech.ac.jp ABSTRACT: Itai-itai disease was first noticed in the Junzu River basin region in Toyama prefecture in central Japan around the 1930s. However, it was not identified as a cadmium poisoning disease until the 1960s. A local physician, with cooperation from outside experts, confirmed that the disease was caused by pollution from the Kamioka mine (owned by the Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company Ltd) located in the upstream region of the river. In the mid-1960s, the victims of Itai-itai disease filed a suit against the company and won their case in 1972. The victims received compensation and signed a pollution control agreement with the company. The case of Itai-itai disease is a rare example of successful pollution control in Japan: the annual inspections of the ensuing 40 yr, based on the pollution control agreement, show a reduction of cadmium concentrations in the river to natural levels. By analyzing the roles of various experts involved, this case study has contributed substantially to an understanding of the nature of expertise and the significance of public participation in the resolution of environmental problems. 1The present publication is a revised and expanded version of papers in Japanese by Kaji (2005, 2009), published in English with permission of the copyright holder. KEY WORDS: Itai-itai disease · Pollution control · Cadmium · Public participation · Victims · Mining pollution Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Kaji M (2012) Role of experts and public participation in pollution control: the case of Itai-itai disease in Japan1. Ethics Sci Environ Polit 12:99-111. https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00126 Export citation Mail this link - Contents Mailing Lists - RSS Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESEP Vol. 12, No. 2. Online publication date: July 06, 2012 Print ISSN: 1863-5415; Online ISSN: 1611-8014 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.

Infection Control in Healthcare Settings in Japan

In Japan, the practice of infection control in healthcare settings has a short history of less than 3 decades. Before that, infection control practices were far from perfect and even ignored. This review summarizes changes in infection control in Japan since the 1980s and offers some comparisons with practices in foreign countries, especially the United States. Infection control is far better now than 25 years ago, but there remain fundamental issues that limit the development of better infection control practices. These problems include insufficient funding and human resources due to the socialized healthcare insurance system in Japan and the lack of interest in infection control research.