Countermeasures In Japan Research Articles

The transfer of radiocesium from soil to plants: Mechanisms, data, and perspectives for potential countermeasures in Japan

The recent events at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan, have raised questions about radiocesium (137Cs) transfer from soil to agricultural plants. This transfer has been studied extensively in Europe following the Chernobyl accident, in Soviet Ukraine in 1986. This article briefly discusses whether that transfer may be different in Japan in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident.

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soil and countermeasures in Japan

Many heavy metals exist in minute amounts in natural agricultural soil. However, when their amounts exceed a certain level due to pollutants brought from outside, soil contamination occurs and agricultural products become contaminated. There have been many cases in Japan of heavy metal contamination originating from old mines and smelters, and soil contamination of agricultural land has become a social issue. In particular, cadmium (Cd) is one of the most harmful heavy metals. If agricultural products absorb an excessive amount of Cd, they may adversely affect people’s health, and therefore allowable concentrations are regulated by law. If agricultural land has become contaminated with Cd, measures for minimizing the absorption of Cd by agricultural crops are necessary; these include: (1) soil dressing, (2) water management (paddy field), (3) chemical cleaning of soil, (4) phytoextraction, and (5) use of different varieties and rootstock. Other heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, zinc, and mercury also sometimes cause contamination of agricultural soil.

Damages by Red Tides Associated with Fish Kills and the Countermeasures in Japan

Damages by Red Tides Associated with Fish Kills and the Countermeasures in Japan

Fifteen Years since the Tokyo Subway Attack and Development of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive Terrorist Countermeasures in Japan

Introduction:Although 15 years have passed since the Tokyo subway attack, it was the preparations for the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 summit (2000) five years thereafter that catalyzed the development of countermeasures and policy against chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) threats in Japan.Report: No substantial progress was made for five years after the subway attack. Preparedness for the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit included promulgation of the Civil Protection Law (2004), which codified the responses to CBRNE terrorist attacks, and consequendy, the effectiveness with which the countermeasures against CBRNE terrorism acts could be deployed at a national level. Countermeasures included the establishment of a CBRNE task force, syndromie surveillance programs, and the stockpiling of antidotes, antitoxins, and antibiotics. Decontamination facilities were introduced throughout Japan.Conclusions:Preparedness for the summit facilitated recognition of the need for medical countermeasures against CBRNE threats to protect healthcare providers in Japan. In the 15 years since the Tokyo Subway Attack, the measures implemented in the last five years have been most effective. However, future challenges include the promotion of civilian awareness, inter-agency collaboration, and increasing the mutual-aid capacity of local communities.

A short history of tsunami research and countermeasures in Japan

The tsunami science and engineering began in Japan, the country the most frequently hit by local and distant tsunamis. The gate to the tsunami science was opened in 1896 by a giant local tsunami of the highest run-up height of 38 m that claimed 22,000 lives. The crucial key was a tide record to conclude that this tsunami was generated by a “tsunami earthquake”. In 1933, the same area was hit again by another giant tsunami. A total system of tsunami disaster mitigation including 10 “hard” and “soft” countermeasures was proposed. Relocation of dwelling houses to high ground was the major countermeasures. The tsunami forecasting began in 1941. In 1960, the Chilean Tsunami damaged the whole Japanese Pacific coast. The height of this tsunami was 5–6 m at most. The countermeasures were the construction of structures including the tsunami breakwater which was the first one in the world. Since the late 1970s, tsunami numerical simulation was developed in Japan and refined to become the UNESCO standard scheme that was transformed to 22 different countries. In 1983, photos and videos of a tsunami in the Japan Sea revealed many faces of tsunami such as soliton fission and edge bores. The 1993 tsunami devastated a town protected by seawalls 4.5 m high. This experience introduced again the idea of comprehensive countermeasures, consisted of defense structure, tsunami-resistant town development and evacuation based on warning.

Invasive alien species issues and countermeasures in Japan and other countries, the current situation and future problems

Invasive alien species issues and countermeasures in Japan and other countries, the current situation and future problems

防災指針における飲食物摂取制限指標の改定について

防災指針における飲食物摂取制限指標の改定について

Present state of countermeasure to AIDS in the world today

1. Only about 10 years have passed since HIV was discovered but WHO presumes that there will be 30 to 40 million infected cases by the year 2,000. This then possesses the possibility of more frequent contact with such persons and thus means we must look for how to protect ourselves. I would like to discuss the present state of AIDS, particularly in eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Russia, based on recent data I have compiled. 2. AIDS-related laws at present in various countries. (1) Comparison of major laws (17 countries) including 1) patient (17 countries) and infected person (13 countries) notification, 2) protection of privacy (9 countries), 3) prohibiting infected person discrimination (3 countries) and 4) other matters including restraint on behavior to spread infection (6 countries). (2) Entry laws from foreign country (10 countries) applicable to patient and infected person for 1) entry (3 countries) and 2) long period of stay (8 countries). 3. Present countermeasures to AIDS. (1) Data for 8 countries including Japan, U.S.A. U.K., France, Germany and three eastern European countries with regard to 1) budgets, 2) examinations, 3) medical care, 4) consultation and guidance and 5) education. I shall also discuss the following 2 countermeasures in Japan. I have proposed to the Diet: 1) Examination to detect HIV-antibodies in donated blood. This measure is present in effect since Nov. 1st, 1986, as a result of my proposal made to the Diet on March 14th, 1986. 2) For person infected by transfusion of the blood products without heat treatment, I proposed that expenses should be defrayed according to the CD4 level at either CD4 < or = 200 or CD4 < or = 500. (2) Present situation in eastern European countries. Common features are as follows: 1) Infected person and patient are quarantined if they request, since they know their condition which was disclosed based on data from past mass screening test under communism. 2) At present infected persons are few in number. 3) This number will rapidly increase with greater active interchange with western countries following elimination of the Berlin Wall. 4) AIDS countermeasures such as blood and blood products examinations are inadequate due to insufficient funds. In Bulgaria, the government has conducted AIDS tests on more than half the population and in Romania, there is the tragic situation. (3) Guidelines for WHO-ILO countermeasures to AIDS at work places. 4. Present situation in research. The development of effective medicines and vaccines is the primary objective of AIDS research. Research programs may be enumerated as follows; 1) In the U.S.A., NIH and CDC are major organizations which lead research around the world. The major objective is synthetic medicine. 2) In U.K., the development of vaccines for monkey and cat is being sought. 3) In China, herb medicine is administrated to patients in Un-nan-sho where AIDS patients are quite numerous. 4) In Japan, a recombinant vaccine is being sought through use of BCG, vaccinia viruses and the like. 5. Topics related to AIDS include 1) informed consent to be treated by a AIDS-infected doctor, 2) suits against doctors who fail to make infected person known infection and 3) government control laws for AIDS in Russia.

Soil pollution countermeasures in Japan

(1993). Soil pollution countermeasures in Japan. Environmental Claims Journal: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 15-25.

Debris flow and its countermeasures in Japan : Ikeya, H Int Assoc Engng Geol BullN40, Oct 1989, P15–33

Debris flow and its countermeasures in Japan : Ikeya, H Int Assoc Engng Geol BullN40, Oct 1989, P15–33

Periodical change in infections and their countermeasures. Infections for which the pathogen has been discovered. AIDS--actual status and countermeasures in Japan.

Periodical change in infections and their countermeasures. Infections for which the pathogen has been discovered. AIDS--actual status and countermeasures in Japan.

Debris flow and its countermeasures in Japan

Japan is an island lying off the east border of the Asian Continent. Its total area is about 370,000 km2 75% of the whole land area of Japan is mountainous. The lowlands, chiefly plains and alluvial fans, that constitute the remaining 25% are formed from sediments which have flowed there from the mountains in the past. In these lowlands live 85% of our population of 110 million people. Geologically, japan is extremely fragile and her topography is very steep. Under these conditions, sediment disasters caused by debris flow have occurred by torrential downpours, typhoons or the seasonal rain front in every year somewhere in Japan. These sediment disasters are the most harmful natural disaster to human life and property in Japan. For this reason the Sabo Law (Erosion Control Law) was enacted in 1897, and the government has exerted every effort to prevent such disasters. Thus Japan is one of the most advanced countries with regard to the study and research of sediment disasters and to the development of countermeasures.

Marine pollution and countermeasures in Japan : Murakawa, Masamichi, 1987. Oceanus, 30(1):55–60

Marine pollution and countermeasures in Japan : Murakawa, Masamichi, 1987. Oceanus, 30(1):55–60