Industry In Japan Research Articles

Overcoming barriers to developing and diffusing fuel-cell vehicles: Governance strategies and experiences in Japan

To accelerate the electrification of road transport, numerous countries are promoting the diffusion of both Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel-Cell Vehicles (FCVs). Both technologies hold unique advantages and disadvantages while also facing common barriers with regard to production and diffusion. Barriers may be classified into four categories: 1) supply-side (i.e. vehicle production), 2) infrastructure preparation (i.e. charging and fuelling), 3) demand-side (i.e. spurring societal demand) and 4) institutional design (i.e. stimulating investments and the availability of technology). Relative to BEV literature, studies on FCV diffusion efforts are fewer. Also, while many studies highlight numerous diffusion barriers, knowledge on actual governance strategies to overcome these is lacking. Filling this gap, we examine governance measures used by government and industry in Japan to accelerate the development and diffusion of FCVs. The above framework is applied to examine coping strategies employed, unresolved challenges and potential ways to overcome these. Data are sourced from expert interviews and document analysis. Findings reveal robust measures to tackle supply-side and infrastructure challenges. Conversely, demand-side measures rely on public subsidies and lack regulatory instruments to stimulate vehicle demand. Also, institutional strategies to increase the pool of FCV makers are lacking visible outcomes. We thus lay out several policy suggestions to overcome these unresolved challenges.

End-of-life recycling rates of platinum group metals in the automotive industry: Insight into regional disparities

Platinum group metals, as the rarest elements in the lithosphere, are technological enablers in many modern industrial processes, especially in the automotive industry. Due to the limited availability of natural resources, increasing the recycling rate is essential for securing the supply of platinum group metals. This paper estimates the end-of-life recycling rates of platinum group metals in the automotive industry at the regional level during the period 2000–2017. The results show that in North America, Europe and Japan, the end-of-life recycling rates increased from very low levels in 2000 to above 50% in 2017. In contrast, they stayed at a significantly lower level in China. In-use stocks of platinum group metals in the automotive industry of North America, Europe, Japan and China reached over 3.65 kt in 2017 and included 1.33 kt of platinum, 1.95 kt of palladium and 0.37 kt of rhodium. These in-use stocks represent a major opportunity for secondary platinum group metal recovery. The priority for recycling improvement should be increasing the collection rate.

Partnership Between Japan and the United States for Early Development of Pediatric Medical Devices - Harmonization By Doing for Children.

The Harmonization By Doing (HBD) program was established in 2003 as a partnership among stakeholders of academia, industry and regulatory agencies in Japan and the United States, with a primary focus on streamlining processes of global medical device development for cardiovascular medical devices. While HBD has traditionally focused on development of devices intended to treat conditions prevalent in adults, in 2016, HBD established the "HBD-for-Children" program, which focuses on the development of pediatric devices as the development of medical devices for pediatric use lags behind that of medical devices for adults in both countries. Activities of the program have included: (1) conducting a survey with industry to better understand the challenges that constrain the development of pediatric medical devices; (2) categorizing pediatric medical devices into five categories based on global availability and exploring concrete solutions for the early application and regulatory approval in both geographies; and (3) facilitating global clinical trials of pediatric medical devices in both countries. The establishment of the HBD-for-Children program is significant because it represents a global initiative for the introduction of pediatric medical devices for patients in a timely manner. Through the program, academia, industry and regulatory agencies can work together to facilitate innovative pediatric device development from a multi-stakeholder perspective. This activity could also encourage industry partners to pursue the development of pediatric medical devices.

A STUDY ON FOREIGN TOURISTS’ PURCHASING BEHAVIOR

The purpose of this paper is to understand the current situation of foreign tourists’ purchasing behavior in Japan and shows the further directions of the fashion industry in Japan. In order to achieve this goal, a questionnaire survey is conducted in a department store in Tokyo. Cross tabulations are used as the analysis methodology to investigate the relationship between countries and regions, traveling companions, number of visits and purchase expenditure, duty-free items purchased. As a result, the current situation and overall tendency of the purchasing behavior of foreigners visiting Japan are illustrated. In addition, this paper proves the hypothesis that Chinese tourists to Japan are more willing to buy fashion items.

Multi-Criteria Efficiency Analysis of Using Waste-Based Fuel Mixtures in the Power Industries of China, Japan, and Russia

This paper presents the results of analyzing the efficiency of the following five fuel types: dry coal, wet coal processing waste, coal–water slurry, and two waste-derived slurries. In the calculations, we employed 16 criteria related to the energy industry, economy, social aspects, safety at plants, and environmental protection. We used the experimental data, obtained from the combustion of the fuels under study at three heating temperatures (700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C). Three countries were analyzed, where all of them have a high share of using fossil fuels in the energy industry: Japan, China, and Russia. The total performance indicator was calculated using three multiple-criteria decision analysis techniques (weighted sum method, weighted product method, and analytic hierarchy process). The choice of weight coefficients was confirmed for each method. We found that coal and coal–water slurry had the lowest integral efficiency indicators (0.016–0.535 and 0.045–0.566, respectively). The maximum effect was achieved when using waste-derived slurry with used turbine oil (0.190–0.800) and coal processing waste (0.535–0.907). There were, on average, 3%–60% differences in the integral efficiency indicator for the same fuel in different countries. The difference in the efficiency indicator of the same fuel in different countries was on average 3%–60%; with changes in temperature, the difference in efficiency was 5%–20%; and when changing the calculation procedure, the difference was 10%–90%.

The improvement on physical and mechanical properties of particle board from jatropha press cake

Jatropha press cake (Jatropha curcas L) has high crude fiber which is potential to be utilized as raw material for particle board production. The objective of this study is to assess the physical and mechanical properties of Jatropha press cake particle board and effect of addition of paraffin and sago starch to improve the quality of particle board. The paraffin was added at 0, 1, and 3%, and the sago starch was added at 6, 8, and 10%. The physical and mechanical properties of particle board product were evaluated. The density of particle board ranged at 0.84-0.95 g/cm3, moisture content 4.56-6.19%, the thickness-swelling for 2h and 24h by soaking in water were 11.67-20.12% and 16.22-25.70%, respectively. The water absorption of particle board for 2h and 24h by soaking in water were 48.74-62.20% and 63.10-72.75%. The Modulus of Rupture (MoR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MoE) of particleboard were 19.70-97.44 kgf/cm2 and 1552-7235 kgf/cm2, respectively. The addition of paraffin and sago starch can improve the physical and mechanical properties of particle board. The particle board with paraffin addition of 3% and sago starch of 10% passes the MoR in accordance with Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) of A 5908:2003.

STRATEGI KEMENTERIAN EKONOMI, PERDAGANGAN DAN INDUSTRI JEPANG DALAM MEMPERKUAT SOFT POWER DAN MENINGKATKAN PENDAPATAN INDUSTRI KREATIF MELALUI KEBIJAKAN COOL JAPAN/CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TAHUN 2010-2016

ABSTRACT Until 2010 Japan's popular culture is still a popular culture product, but post-2010 popularity of Japanese popular culture products began to decline. Facing this situation Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) initiated Japan to popularize Japan's popular culture and increase the revenue of Japan's creative industries that produce popular culture contents through the Cool Japan/Creative Industry policy. This policy aims to promote Japanese popular culture content with the theme of Cool Japan abroad and also to increase the revenue of Japanese creative industries. With the formulation of this policy is expected to become an alternative source of declining Japanese national income. METI will then conduct cultural diplomacy as a strategy of this policy in several countries including the United States, France and Singapore by holding cultural events in these countries as a means of promoting and influencing the interest of overseas consumers. Keywords: METI, Cool Japan/Creative Industry, Popular Culture, Cultural Diplomacy

RESEARCH ON THE TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES AND SPORTS SMART TECHNOLOGY

The main purpose of this research is to understand the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and sports smart technology. In recent years, with the spread of economic proliferation, there has been a boom in sports around the world. Under the influence of sports and health culture and the advent of the elderly society, the health and care industry in Japan has stepped out of the traditional service industry. More and more cases of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, AI artificial intelligence and sensing technology applications have come out; and the health and care industry is booming. Therefore, the Japanese government looks forward to the hosting of the 2020 Olympic Games and promotes the Olympic Games under the slogan “Discover Tomorrow”, so that the international community could see international participation and sports technological innovation of Japan. Taking “Olympic Games brings inspiration, could change individuals and society” as the action policy, to create a comfortable, convenient, efficient, and safe living area, show the soft power and hard power of Japan, let the Olympics affect Japan not only limited to the period of the Olympic Games, but also change citizens’ life. Breakthrough technologies and innovative applications pioneered by sports technology combined with the sports industry would be one of the focal points in this Olympic Games. Therefore, based on the sports technology industry, this study explores the possibility of innovative technology applications to develop new business opportunities for future sports technology. Article visualizations:

An Analysis of Leadership Shifts in the Shipbuilding Industry in Korea, China and Japan

An Analysis of Leadership Shifts in the Shipbuilding Industry in Korea, China and Japan

Thinking small, achieving big

Nanotechnology is a burgeoning industry in Japan. Indeed, with industry and scientific prowess, the country is emerging as a leader in the field. Nanotechnology is extremely valuable, with wide-ranging applications in fields as diverse as medicine, aerospace, electronics, biomaterials, solar cells, lasers, displays, nanofoods, textiles, cosmetics and energy production. With such diverse applications this field is integral to current and future research. Countries like Japan have much to gain from investing in its development and have been motivated to do so.

Application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for Assessment of Safety Culture: An Integrated Modeling Approach

The primary purpose of this study was to apply structural equation modeling (SEM) integrated with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) approach to model the safety culture of the petrochemical industry of Japan. Workers from five companies located in the Chugoku region of Japan completed a paper-based survey distributed by email. SEM and ANFIS methods were integrated in order to identify and model the important factors of the safety culture. The results of SEM indicate that employee attitudes toward safety, coworker’s support, work pressure, and plant safety management systems were significant factors influencing violation behavior, personnel safety motivation, and personnel error behavior. Furthermore, the application of the ANFIS modeling approach showed that employees’ attitude was the most critical predictor of violation behavior and personnel error behavior, while coworkers support was the most critical predictor in modeling personnel safety motivation.

Japan's coatings industry remains stagnant

Japan's coatings industry remains stagnant

Steam treatment to enhance rice straw binderless board focusing hemicellulose and cellulose decomposition products

Rice straw is a troublesome biomass for an industrial application because of its high silica content and the wax-like substances covering the surface. At manufacturing binderless boards, which are considered environmentally friendly as they do not contain synthetic resins, rice straw silica contributed to water resistance, while the wax-like substances adversely affected self-bonding. This study investigated the effects of steam treatment on the self-bonding of binderless boards manufactured from rice straw. The chemical changes during steam treatment were examined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and their influence on the bonding properties is discussed. Internal bonding strength and water resistance significantly increased by steam treatment. They also increased with increasing pressing temperature, and decreasing particle size. GC/MS analysis showed that not only hemicellulose and lignin, but also amorphous cellulose was decomposed during the steam treatment. Among the degradation products, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was suggested to contribute to self-bonding during hot-pressing, while furfural was vaporized from the rice straw. Fine-grinding to below 150 μm after steam treatment resulted in high water resistance and an internal bonding strength of 0.6 MPa, which met the Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) requirement for Type-30 medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This mild pretreatment offers an alternative to steam explosion.

日本の繊維産業興隆期から見た女性労働者の労働意識と教養（第2 報） ― 日本の女子学生とベトナム人女子留学生の比較から ―

日本の繊維産業興隆期から見た女性労働者の労働意識と教養（第2 報） ― 日本の女子学生とベトナム人女子留学生の比較から ―

An update on the seaweed resources of Japan

Abstract Natural seaweed beds, which play an important role for coastal ecosystems and marine fisheries, have been changing drastically in Japan. Interventions, such as decreasing the over-grazing by sea urchins, are being undertaken to maintain natural seaweed beds. Japan has at least 15 seaweed genera of economic importance utilized either directly as human food, as ingredients in food, or as raw materials for extraction of chemical compounds for various applications. Most species are produced through various cultivation methods that usually start in a land-based facility and are completed when seaweeds are transferred for open-sea cultivation. Cultivation, as well as harvesting, from natural populations, has sustained the Japanese seaweed industry for many years, but recently a downfall in seaweed production has been experienced in some areas for certain species due to warming oceans. Efforts to improve production have led to the development of forced cultivation techniques to reduce the cultivation period for Saccharina japonica while hybridization of different morphological forms of Undaria pinnatifida has resulted in the production of so-called “southern” and “northern types” that have desirable shapes for harvesting and processing. The future of the seaweed industry in Japan is geared towards producing high-grade products from seaweeds grown in land-based tanks using deep-ocean water.

Development of the Global Logistics Network and its Impact on the Logistics Industry in Japan

Development of the Global Logistics Network and its Impact on the Logistics Industry in Japan

Past and Future of Cooperative Research between University and Industry in Japan

Past and Future of Cooperative Research between University and Industry in Japan

Future investment value of China’s listed life insurance companies’ H shares from the perspective of secondary market

China’s life insurance industry has just started in the 1990s after the reform and opening up, and its development experience is obviously insufficient, and it has not gone through a very complete life insurance development cycle. No matter from the actuarial technology, the professional level of the agent, the popularization time of the agent system, or the management experience, it is far from the developed areas of the world’s life insurance industry. In addition, many professional investors are worried about the future prospects of China’s life insurance industry because of the long-term existence of a low interest rate environment. However, after reading detailed materials (research papers, books, reviews, etc.), the final conclusion of this report is different from that of other too cautious investors . This report holds that: the current situation and prospect of China’s life insurance H shares meet the conditions of Davis double-click, and the main investors in the secondary market will encounter a unique opportunity to obtain excess returns by investing in domestic insurance H shares. On the level of objective factors, we analyze from the following four aspects: (I) the potential demand for life insurance in China will continue to increase significantly in the future; (II) most of the representative life insurance companies in China have low valuations; (III) the possible style switching in China’s secondary market is conducive to the rise of blue chips such as life insurance companies; (IV) from the long-term perspective of history, the insurance index has significantly outperformed the Shanghai Composite Index, which represents the market. In terms of subjective factors, we consider them from the following four perspectives: (I) the development and problems of life insurance industry in Japan and Taiwan; (II) on the liability side, China’s life insurance industry vigorously develops new products with high business value, so as to resist the impact of low interest rates; (III) the diversification of asset allocation at the investment end of China’s life insurance industry can make the profit of life insurance industry not limited by the interest rate; (IV) the change of service quality at the supply side is conducive to the life insurance companies to tap the potential market demand in China.

Productivity Analysis of Logging Industry in Japan

Productivity Analysis of Logging Industry in Japan

Honorary Member in 2012, Yoshihide HASE; A View of Manufacturer Engineer: Tracing the Achievements of Electrical Power Industry in Japan

Honorary Member in 2012, Yoshihide HASE; A View of Manufacturer Engineer: Tracing the Achievements of Electrical Power Industry in Japan