Countermeasures In Japan Research Articles

Registry Studies of Stroke in Japan.

Recently, the Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Control Act was enacted, for which it was necessary to establish a comprehensive and accurate nationwide database and promote rational and economical stroke countermeasures in Japan, thus serving the public interest. Among the many studies on stroke registries, the Fukuoka Stroke Registry, a regional cohort, provides highly accurate information, and the Japanese Stroke Data Bank, a nationwide cohort, is highly comprehensive. The findings of these studies have contributed to the construction of evidence and the establishment of guidelines for stroke management. In the Nationwide survey of Acute Stroke care capacity for Proper dEsignation of Comprehensive stroke CenTer in Japan, research on improving the quality of medical care to close the gap between guidelines and clinical practice was performed using electronic medical records. This has enabled the recommendation of medical policies in Japan by visualizing medical care. In the era of healthcare big data and the Internet of Things, plenty of healthcare information is automatically recorded electronically and incorporated into databases. Thus, the establishment of stroke registries with the effective utilization of these electronic records can contribute to the development of stroke care.

Study of debris flow peak discharge at Kamikamihorizawa Creek

Prediction of the peak discharge of debris flow is one of the most important factors in mitigating debris flow disasters. Currently, empirical methods based on the relationship between the peak discharge and total debris flow volume (magnitude) for many debris flow events are used to estimate peak discharge for planning or designing debris flow countermeasures in Japan. In order to estimate the peak discharge of debris flow with high accuracy, the debris flow monitoring sensors with load cell and pressure sensor (hereafter referred to as a DFLP system), was installed to evaluate various characteristics during floods involving debris flows at Kamikamihorizawa Creek. During the debris flow that occurred on August 29, 2019 at Kamikamihorizawa Creek, seven surges corresponding to debris flow events were monitored by the DFLP system for a 20-minute period. Based on the relationship between the peak discharge and magnitude, the observation data of Kamikamihorizawa Creek, Illgraben and Schipfenbach has been added to previous data from the literature and the relationship has been updated. The peak discharge and magnitude of debris flow on August 29, 2019 at Kamikamihorizawa Creek exhibited distributions similar to past observation data, which shows that the relationship between peak discharge and magnitude follows a similar trend.

Effectiveness of an Online Peer Gatekeeper Training Program for Postsecondary Students on Suicide Prevention in Japan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPostsecondary student suicide is one of Japan’s most severe public health problems. Gatekeeper training (GKT) programs are a generally recommended suicide prevention intervention in Japan. For suicide countermeasures, an online program tailored to students may enhance self-efficacy as a gatekeeper.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe a research protocol to investigate the effect of a newly developed internet-delivered online peer GKT program to improve postsecondary student self-efficacy as gatekeepers for suicide countermeasures in Japan.MethodsThis study is a 2-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 (intervention: waiting list) allocation. Participants (n=320) will be recruited, and those who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to the intervention or waiting list control group. An approximately 85-minute, 6-section, internet-based gatekeeper program for postsecondary students has been developed that includes videos to help participants acquire skills as gatekeepers. The intervention group will complete the program within 10 days. The primary outcome, self-efficacy as a gatekeeper, is measured using the Gatekeeper Self-Efficacy Scale at baseline, immediately after taking the program, and 2 months after the survey after completing the program follow-up. To compare the primary outcomes, a t test, where the significance level is 5% (2-sided), will be used to test the intervention effect on an intention-to-treat basis.ResultsThe study was at the stage of data collection at the time of submission. We recruited participants for this study during August and September 2021, and data collection will continue until December 2021. The data analysis related to the primary outcome will start in December 2021, and we hope to publish the results in 2022 or 2023.ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of an online GKT program for postsecondary students to improve self-efficacy as a gatekeeper using a randomized controlled trial design. The study will explore the potential of an online peer gatekeeper program for postsecondary students that can be disseminated online to a large number of students with minimal cost.Trial RegistrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000045325; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051685International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/34832

Occurrence and Control of Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing) in Japan

Citrus greening (huanglongbing) is established in majority of the subtropical and tropical citrus-producing areas of the world. In Japan, the disease causes damage to citrus grown on the subtropical islands and threatens the major citrus production areas on the main islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu. Since the initial identification of the disease on a small island near Taiwan, wide-ranging programs and collaboration among scientists, plant quarantine officials, and administrators to combat the disease have been undertaken. This paper reviews the history of the disease and development of countermeasures in Japan. The scientific insight and crucial technical tools that promote control practices are summarized. Implications for the control of the disease in other countries and future research directions are also discussed.

Trends in research on heat countermeasures in Japan and Abroad after the decision on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Trends in research on heat countermeasures in Japan and Abroad after the decision on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Trends in research on heat countermeasures in Japan and Abroad before the decision on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Trends in research on heat countermeasures in Japan and Abroad before the decision on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

COVID-19 early stage social acceptance of entry restrictions for international tourists to Japan

PurposeDifferent countries have responded to the pandemic with distinct domestic and international travel restrictions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stringency of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) countermeasures in Japan against their G20 cohorts. Primary data were monitored at a ski resort in Kyushu regarding the social acceptance of initial COVID-19 countermeasures, ranging from hygiene and local “lockdowns” to border control measures.Design/methodology/approachThe stringency of the COVID-19 countermeasures was examined using data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) and triangulated with the early stage social acceptance of survey respondents in Aso Kuju National Park in February 2020 that consisted of 165 valid Japanese language questionnaires.FindingsAn one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified significant differences in social acceptance for countermeasures, with more-concerned respondents agreeing more strongly with “low-tech” health protocols, such as washing hands (M = 3.7) or wearing a mask (3.4). More concerned visitors were significantly more likely to modify their travel plans (2.9) or cancel their trip altogether (2.7). Male day trippers were less likely to be concerned by the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis paper's originality is derived from a triangulation of the stringency of Japan's initial COVID-19 countermeasures via a combination of comparison with G20 cohorts and social acceptance of domestic snowboarders and skiers. Moreover, by shining a light on the trade-off between public health and human rights, the paper provides a current review of the ethical dimension of a travel restriction debate that is often overlooked in the ongoing pandemic.

Insider Activists and Secondhand Smoke Countermeasures in Japan

Long considered a smoker’s paradise, Japan passed its strictest regulations yet on indoor smoking in 2018 with revisions to the Health Promotion Law and a new ordinance in Tokyo. Timed for the Tokyo Olympics, both reforms made smoking regulations stronger and more legalistic despite reflecting distinctive policy paradigms in their particulars. The national regulations curtailed smoking in many public spaces but accommodated smoking in small restaurants and bars. Tokyo’s stronger restrictions emphasized public health protection by exempting only eateries with no employees. I argue that fully understanding these contemporaneous reforms requires analyzing insider activists: state actors who participated in the tobacco control movement or had sustained interaction with it during earlier reform waves. Case studies drawing on interviews and movement and government documents illustrate the mechanisms insider activists can access because they straddle multiple fields. This article contributes to scholarship about ideas, policy entrepreneurship, and the blurry line between insiders and outsiders in policymaking.

Actual Frailty Conditions and Lifestyle Changes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 Countermeasures in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

IntroductionBecause of the countermeasures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan, it is easy to predict that the suspension of local activities and changes in lifestyle that lead to decreased activity will result in increased frailty and prefrailty rates in older adults.ObjectiveTo clarify the actual frailty conditions and lifestyle changes among community-dwelling older adults affected by COVID-19 countermeasures in Japan.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between May 8 and June 12, 2020. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to 1,078 older adults aged ≥65 years. We used the frailty screening index to assess frailty status and developed the Questionnaire for Change of Life (QCL) to assess lifestyle changes, the amount of daily movement, leg muscle strength, meal size, worry or anxiety, and opportunities to talk to people. The differences in prevalence rates of frailty, prefrailty, and robustness between this study and the reference based on the Japanese meta-analysis were verified using the chi-square goodness of fit test. We compared each of the QCL results among the frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups using Fisher’s exact test.ResultsOf 680 older adults (63.1%) analyzed, 60 (8.8%) had frailty and 354 (52.1%) had prefrailty. There was a significant difference between the observed and expected prevalence based on the reference (p = 0.018). The frailty status was significantly associated with lifestyle changes. In participants with frailty, the amount of daily movement, leg muscle strength, and meal size significantly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas worry or anxiety significantly increased (p = 0.040). In contrast, regardless of the frailty status, opportunities to talk to people decreased.ConclusionThe prevalence of frailty and prefrailty might have increased due to the effects of COVID-19 countermeasures. Moreover, the lifestyle of community-dwelling older adults affected by COVID-19 countermeasures has changed. Lifestyle changes were more pronounced among older adults with frailty.

Association between frailty and changes in lifestyle and physical or psychological conditions among older adults affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 countermeasures in Japan.

AimThis study aimed to clarify the association between frailty and changes in lifestyle and physical or psychological conditions among community‐dwelling older adults affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 countermeasures in Japan.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was carried out between 8 May and 12 June 2020 in Japan. Self‐reported questionnaires were distributed among 1353 older adults. To assess frailty, we used the frailty screening index. To assess changes in lifestyle and physical or psychological conditions, we developed the Questionnaire for Change of Life (QCL), which comprised five items related to frailty. Cronbach's α was calculated as a measure of internal consistency of QCL. We compared the score for each item in the QCL between the frailty and non‐frailty groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to show the factors that affect frailty status.ResultsIn total, 856 older adults (63.3%) were analyzed. A total of 83 participants (9.7%) had frailty, and 755 participants (90.3%) had non‐frailty. Cronbach's α for QCL was 0.552. We observed a significant decrease in daily movement, leg muscle strength and meal size among older adults with frailty compared with non‐frailty (P < 0.001). Subjective leg muscle strength (odds ratio 3.257, 95% confidence interval 2.236–4.746) was negatively correlated with frailty.ConclusionsWe suggest that each individual QCL item should be used in analyses involving the QCL. This report showed that subjective lifestyle changes affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 countermeasures were associated with frailty status. In particular, as older adults were aware of a decrease in their leg muscle strength, they were significantly more frail. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 39–42.

Utilization of ICT as a Digital Infrastructure Concerning Disaster Countermeasures in Japan

The present study aimed to describe the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a digital infrastructure concerning disaster countermeasures in Japan. Specifically, the study introduced development cases of the systems integrating social media and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and presented the utilization potential as a digital infrastructure. Additionally, taking up Twitter as a familiar digital infrastructure, the study also presented its utilization potential based on the case of the heavy-rain disaster in Western Japan in 2018. As a result, due to the close relationship between the reality and virtual spaces, the issue is how to make the information circulating in the virtual space efficiently and effectively aid in the rescue and support activities in the reality space. The above systems are effective in order to solve such an issue, because these can efficiently consolidate the essential information on the digital map of Web-GIS. Additionally, it is necessary to set rules for the utilization of social media, and sift through information and share only the necessary information to the affected local governments and those involved in the rescue and support activities. Furthermore, various information communication methods including verbal calls in addition to ICT are necessary especially for people who are vulnerable to information.

Estimated effectiveness of school closure and voluntary event cancellation as COVID-19 countermeasures in Japan

BackgroundAs countermeasures against the COVID-19 outbreak, sports and entertainment events were canceled (VEC) in Japan for two weeks from 26 February through 13 March. Moreover, most schools were closed (SC). ObjectiveFor this study, we estimated the basic reproduction number (R0) and SC and VEC effects. MethodAfter constructing a susceptible–infected–recovered model with three age classes, we used data of symptomatic patients in Japan for 14 January through 24 March. The SC and VEC effects were incorporated into the model through changes in contact patterns and contact frequencies among age classes. ResultsResults suggest R0 as 2.56, with 95% CI of [2.51, 2.96] before SC and VEC. The respective effects of SC and VEC were estimated as 0.4 (95% CI [0.3, 0.5]) and 0.5 (95% CI [0.3, 0.7]). ConclusionThe estimated R0 is similar to those found from other studies of China and Japan. Significant reduction of contact frequency has been achieved by SC and VEC. Nevertheless, its magnitude was insufficient to contain the outbreak.

Review of Research on Irrigation Pond Damage due to Heavy Rain and Related Disaster Prevention Countermeasures in Japan

Review of Research on Irrigation Pond Damage due to Heavy Rain and Related Disaster Prevention Countermeasures in Japan

Tsunami evacuation simulation using geographic information systems for homecare recipients depending on electric devices.

Tsunamis cause direct damage to property and destroy infrastructure. In addition, power outages can lead to death, especially for patients who rely on medical equipment requiring a power supply. Recently, Nankai Trough Earthquakes have been predicted, and much effort has been put into developing countermeasures in Japan. Kochi City on Shikoku Island is expected to suffer in the event of a large tsunami. The present study identifies individuals living in Kochi who need evacuation assistance and depend on electrical medical devices, simulates evacuation behavior and inundation during a tsunami using a geographic information system (GIS), and considers the usefulness of such a GIS. We asked caregivers, including visiting nurses, to introduce us to homecare recipients who rely on a ventilator, an endotracheal suction device, or other medical devices requiring electric power. We received introductions to 52 homecare recipients. Using a GIS, we plotted the area of predicted inundation and the locations of homecare recipients, nursing stations, and welfare evacuation shelters. We predicted evacuation routes, and then analyzed the time difference between the time required for evacuation and tsunami arrival at a welfare evacuation shelter. To measure the effects of the main parameters, we conducted both one-way and multi-way sensitivity analysis. In the event of a tsunami, eight of the homecare recipients living in the forecasted inundation areas in Kochi may face delayed evacuation. Among homecare recipients facing a high possibility of escape delay, 95.2% lived more than 1,800 m from the nearest welfare evacuation shelter. We found that individual evacuation behavior can be simulated by specifying the residence of a homecare recipient and the evacuation route using a GIS.

我が国のいじめの現状とその対策 (課題研究 『いじめ』現象への視座)

我が国のいじめの現状とその対策 (課題研究 『いじめ』現象への視座)

Current Situation of Drug Abuse and Countermeasures in Japan

Current Situation of Drug Abuse and Countermeasures in Japan

Development of a green remediation tool in Japan

The green remediation assessment tool for Japan (GRATJ) presented in this study is a spreadsheet-based software package developed to facilitate comparisons of the environmental impacts associated with various countermeasures against contaminated soil in Japan. This tool uses a life-cycle assessment-based model to calculate inventory inputs/outputs throughout the activity life cycle during remediation. Processes of 14 remediation methods for heavy metal contamination and 12 for volatile organic compound contamination are built into the tool. This tool can evaluate 130 inventory inputs/outputs and easily integrate those inputs/outputs into 9 impact categories, 4 integrated endpoints, and 1 index. Comparative studies can be performed by entering basic data associated with a target site. The integrated results can be presented in a simpler and clearer manner than the results of an inventory analysis. As a case study, an arsenic-contaminated soil remediation site was examined using this tool. Results showed that the integrated environmental impacts were greater with onsite remediation methods than with offsite ones. Furthermore, the contributions of CO2 to global warming, SO2 to urban air pollution, and crude oil to resource consumption were greater than other inventory inputs/outputs. The GRATJ has the potential to improve green remediation and can serve as a valuable tool for decision makers and practitioners in selecting countermeasures in Japan.

防災指針における飲食物摂取制限に関する指標

防災指針における飲食物摂取制限に関する指標

The current situation of tsunami geology under new policies for disaster countermeasures in Japan

This paper presents a review of the Japanese policies for tsunami countermeasures before and after the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and its consequent tsunami. The current status of tsunami geology under the new policies is also discussed. The 2011 event was regarded as an unexpected hazard. Such a large hazard had not been considered for Japanese tsunami countermeasures before, although geological studies have indicated their potential occurrence. Based on lessons learned from the 2011 event, the Japanese government changed policies related to tsunami disaster countermeasures. The salient change is that estimation of the maximum possible earthquake and tsunami along the each coast of Japan is now required. Following this policy change, the maximum possible earthquake and tsunami have been estimated along several coasts of Japan, such as the Nankai Trough region based on seismology, irrespective of past occurrence. Tsunami geology is regarded as an important research field for estimating the maximum possible earthquake and tsunami strength because paleotsunami histories of several thousand years are crucially important for future tsunami risk assessment. However, many issues remain to be resolved to respond to the rapid change of policy. Acceleration of studies, sharing knowledge with governors, and development of schemes for outreach to the public (e.g. a database system) should be considered for improvement of future tsunami countermeasures in Japan.

History of Tsunami Disasters and Countermeasures in Japan and Development of Tsunami Numerical Simulations

History of Tsunami Disasters and Countermeasures in Japan and Development of Tsunami Numerical Simulations