Japan In November Research Articles

Web survey-based selection of controls for epidemiological analyses of a multi-prefectural outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 in Japan associated with consumption of self-grilled beef hanging tender.

An outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 occurred in multiple prefectures of Japan in November 2009. We conducted two case-control studies with trace-back and trace-forward investigations to determine the source. The case definition was met by 21 individuals; 14 (66.7%) were hospitalised, but no haemolytic uraemic syndrome, acute encephalopathy or deaths occurred. Median age was 23 (range 12-48) years and 14 cases were male (66.7%). No significant associations with food were found in a case-control study by local public health centres, but our matched case-control study using Internet surveys found that beef hanging tender (or hanger steak), derived from the diaphragm of the cattle, was significantly associated with illness (odds ratio = 15.77; 95% confidence interval, 2.00-124.11). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of isolates from patients and the suspected food showed five different patterns: two in faecal and food samples, and another three in patient faecal samples only, although there were epidemiological links to the meat consumed at the restaurants. Trace-back investigation implicated a common food processing company from outside Japan. Examination of the logistics of the meat processing company suggested that contamination did not occur in Japan. We concluded that the source of the outbreak was imported hanging tender. This investigation revealed that Internet surveys could be useful for outbreak investigations.

The Wharf Roach, Ligia sp., A Novel Indicator of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Coastal Areas

We investigated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution of the intertidal and supratidal zone using the wharf roach (Ligia sp.) as a novel environmental indicator. PAH and alkylated PAH (alkPAH) concentrations in wharf roaches collected from nine sampling sites on the central and northern coast of Japan in November 2011 were analyzed. Total alkPAH concentrations were higher than those of PAHs at all sampling sites. Seven sampling sites had relatively low total concentrations of PAHs and alkPAHs (57.7–130 and 276–770 ng/g-dry, respectively); they included sites in Miyagi Prefecture (St. 5 and 9) that were seriously damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and by the following Tsunami on 11 March 2011. Two sampling sites (St. 2: Kominato, Aomori Prefecture; St. 3: Usushiri, Hokkaido) had higher concentrations of total PAHs and alkPAHs (PAHs, 1025 and 591 ng/g-dry, respectively; alkPAHs, 1490 and 1160 ng/g-dry, respectively). Diagnostic ratio calculation showed that St. 2 and 3 had PAHs of pyrolytic origin, possibly from vehicle exhaust gas or industrial fuel combustion, or both. The concentrations of these pollutants in the wharf roach were similar to those in bivalves and therefore likely reflected PAH pollution at the collection sites. The wharf roach may be a suitable candidate indicator of PAH pollution, not only in the intertidal zone inhabited by the currently used bivalve indicators, but also in the supratidal zone.

Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A(H5N6), Japan, November 2016.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) A(H5N6) were concurrently introduced into several distant regions of Japan in November 2016. These viruses were classified into the genetic clade 2.3.4.4c and were genetically closely related to H5N6 HPAIVs recently isolated in South Korea and China. In addition, these HPAIVs showed further antigenic drift.

Characteristic Variations of VLF/LF Signals during a High Seismic Activity in Japan in November 2016

The measurements of very low frequency/low frequency (VLF/LF) signals at the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PTK) and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (YSH) stations in Russia and several observing stations in Japan were used for the analysis of lower ionospheric perturbations in possible association with two earthquakes (EQs) which occurred offshore the Pacific Ocean of Japan in November 2016. The first EQ with M (magnitude) = 6.1 (depth 42 km) happened close to the coast line on 11 November (UT). The second EQ was recorded in the sea on 21 November (UT) with M = 6.9 (depth 11 km) and they had a series of aftershocks with M up to 5.6. As for the long-range monitoring, the significant negative nighttime amplitude decreases as propagation anomalies were found for two subionospheric paths: NWC (Australia)-PTK and JJY (Fukushima, Japan)-YSH during about a week, mainly before the first EQ. The anomalies of signal in the path JJY-PTK were observed 4 - 5 days before the second EQ and 3 days after it. Extensive analyses have been performed as well for these two EQs by using the short-range monitoring of VLF data observed at all of the seven VLF/LF stations in Japan in relation to the JJY signal. As related with the 1st EQ, there were observed anomalies on the two paths of JJY-STU (Suttsu) and JJY-NSB (Nakashibetsu) (both stations in Hokkaido) on 2 and 3 November. While, for the 2nd EQ clear anomalies have been observed on 14 and 15, and on 21 November at Ito station in Izu peninsula, Kamakura, Togane and Katsuura in Chiba. Taking into account the possible influence of other factors which can produce perturbations in VLF/LF signals and also using control paths, we may conclude that observed anomalies were very likely to be signatures of lower ionospheric perturbations caused by impending EQs. Finally, we try to estimate the possible perturbation scale for both EQs.

Calibration of the radiation monitors from DESY and SPring-8 at the quasi-mono-energetic neutron beams using 100 and 300 MeV7Li(p,n) reaction at RCNP in Osaka Japan in November 2014

At the ring cyclotron facility of the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) Osaka University, Osaka, Japan a series of measurement campaigns had been continued with quasi mono-energetic neutron beams in November 2014. A 7 Li target was bombarded with 100 and 300 MeV protons and the generated neutron beams were directed into a long time-of-flight tunnel at 0 and 25 degrees deflection angle with respect to the proton beam. At a distance of 41 m the cross section of the neutron beam was large enough for the illumination of square meter sized objects like extended range rem-counters. The research institutes SPring-8/RIKEN, Japan, and DESY, Germany, participated in this campaign for the calibration of 4 different types of active ambient dose rate monitors: LB 6411, LB 6411-Pb, LB 6419 and LB 6420. The measurements of their responses are reported and compared with the calculated values.

Rotavirus vaccine and health-care utilization for rotavirus gastroenteritis in Tsu City, Japan.

BackgroundRotavirus vaccines were introduced in Japan in November 2011. We evaluated the subsequent reduction of the health-care burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis.MethodsWe conducted active surveillance for rotavirus gastroenteritis among children under 5 years old before and after the vaccine introduction. We surveyed hospitalization rates for rotavirus gastroenteritis in children in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 2007 to 2015 and surveyed the number of outpatient visits at a Tsu City clinic from 2010 to 2015. Stool samples were obtained for rotavirus testing and genotype investigation. We assessed rotavirus vaccine coverage for infants living in Tsu City.ResultsIn the pre-vaccine years (2007–2011), hospitalization rates for rotavirus gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old were 5.5, 4.3, 3.1 and 3.9 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. In the post-vaccine years (2011–2015), the rates were 3.0, 3.5, 0.8 and 0.6 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. The hospitalization rate decreased significantly in the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 seasons compared to the average of the seasons before vaccine introduction (P < 0.0001). In one pre-vaccine year (2010–2011), the number of outpatient visits due to the rotavirus infection was 66. In the post-vaccine years (2011–2015), the numbers for each season was 23, 23, 7 and 5, respectively. The most dominant rotavirus genotype shifted from G3P[8] to G1P[8] and to G2P[4]. The coverage of one dose of rotavirus vaccine in Tsu City was 56.5% in 2014.ConclusionAfter the vaccine introduction, the hospitalization rates and outpatient visits for rotavirus gastroenteritis greatly decreased.

Measurement of 1.7–74 MeV polarised γ rays with the HARPO TPC

Current γ-ray telescopes based on photon conversions to electron-positron pairs, such as Fermi, use tungsten converters. They suffer of limited angular resolution at low energies, and their sensitivity drops below 1GeV. The low multiple scattering in a gaseous detector gives access to higher angular resolution in the MeV–GeV range, and to the linear polarisation of the photons through the azimuthal angle of the electron-positron pair.HARPO is an R&D programme to characterise the operation of a TPC (Time Projection Chamber) as a high angular-resolution and sensitivity telescope and polarimeter for γ rays from cosmic sources. It represents a first step towards a future space instrument. A 30cm cubic TPC demonstrator was built, and filled with 2bar argon-based gas. It was put in a polarised γ-ray beam at the NewSUBARU accelerator in Japan in November 2014. Data were taken at different photon energies from 1.7MeV to 74MeV, and with different polarisation configurations. The electronics setup is described, with an emphasis on the trigger system. The event reconstruction algorithm is quickly described, and preliminary measurements of the polarisation of 11MeV photons are shown.

Feasibility study on combination chemotherapy using nogitecan hydrochloride (topotecan) and cisplatin for patients with metastatic, persistent, or recurrent uterine cervical cancer

The standard chemotherapeutic regimen for stage IVB, persistent, or recurrent uterine cervical cancer is platinum-based combination chemotherapy such as cisplatin (CDDP)/paclitaxel and CDDP/nogitecan hydrochloride (NGT, topotecan). Because it is unclear whether the CDDP/NGT combination chemotherapy is tolerable for Japanese patients, we conducted the present study to assess the feasibility of CDDP/NGT combination chemotherapy. Between June 2012 and April 2014, 15 patients with stage IVB, persistent, or recurrent uterine cervical cancer were enrolled in this study. Patients underwent six cycles of NGT at a dose of 0.75mg/m2, followed immediately by CDDP at a dose of 50mg/m2 on day 1 by intravenous infusion, and then NGT at a dose of 0.75mg/m2 on days 2 and 3. Of 15 patients, 9 patients underwent at least 6 cycles of NGT/CDDP combination chemotherapy. Of a total of 83 cycles, 70 cycles (84.3%) of NGT/CDDP combination chemotherapy could be continued at the starting dose of NGT (0.75mg/m2). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicities included leukopenia in 10 patients (66.7%), neutropenia in 15 (100%), anemia in 6 (40.0%), thrombocytopenia in 4 (26.7%), and febrile neutropenia in 4 (26.7%). The response rate according to RECIST was 27% (3/11), with partial response in 3 patients. NGT/CDDP combination chemotherapy may be a tolerable and effective regimen for Japanese patients with stage IVB, persistent, or recurrent uterine cervical cancer. Based on the results of this study, NGT/CDDP combination chemotherapy was approved in Japan in November 2015.

Serotype Changes and Drug Resistance in Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases in Adults after Vaccinations in Children, Japan, 2010-2013.

After 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for children was introduced in Japan in November 2010, we examined changes in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and in genetic antimicrobial drug resistance of isolates from adults with invasive pneumococcal diseases. During April 2010-March 2013, a total of 715 isolates were collected from adults with invasive pneumococcal diseases. Seven-valent PCV serotypes in adults decreased from 43.3% to 23.8%, most noticeably for serotype 6B. Concomitantly, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) serotypes decreased from 82.2% to 72.2%; non-PPSV23 serotypes increased from 13.8% to 25.1%. Parallel with serotype changes, genotypic penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae decreased from 32.4% to 21.1%, and 6 non-PPSV23 serotypes emerged (6D, 15A, 15C, 16F, 23A, and 35B). Respective vaccine coverage rates for 13-valent PCV and PPSV23 differed by disease: 73.9% and 84.3% for patients with pneumonia, 56.4% and 69.2% for patients with bacteremia and sepsis, and 45.7% and 69.3% for patients with meningitis.

Clinical Guideline for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

The "Japanese Clinical Guideline for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms," published in Japan in November 2013, contains two algorithms (a primary and a specialized treatment algorithm) that are novel worldwide as they cover female lower urinary tract symptoms other than urinary incontinence. For primary treatment, necessary types of evaluation include querying the patient regarding symptoms and medical history, examining physical findings, and performing urinalysis. The types of evaluations that should be performed for select cases include evaluation with symptom/quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, urination records, residual urine measurement, urine cytology, urine culture, serum creatinine measurement, and ultrasonography. If the main symptoms are voiding/post-voiding, specialized treatment should be considered because multiple conditions may be involved. When storage difficulties are the main symptoms, the patient should be assessed using the primary algorithm. When conditions such as overactive bladder or stress incontinence are diagnosed and treatment is administered, but sufficient improvement is not achieved, the specialized algorithm should be considered. In case of specialized treatment, physiological re-evaluation, urinary tract/pelvic imaging evaluation, and urodynamic testing are conducted for conditions such as refractory overactive bladder and stress incontinence. There are two causes of voiding/post-voiding symptoms: lower urinary tract obstruction and detrusor underactivity. Lower urinary tract obstruction caused by pelvic organ prolapse may be improved by surgery.

History of T-cain: a local anesthetic developed and manufactured in Japan.

In many anesthesia textbooks written in English, lidocaine, tetracaine, bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine are listed as useful local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia. In contrast, T-cain is not included in these lists, even though it has been reported to be suitable for spinal anesthesia in Japan. T-cain was developed as a local anesthetic in the early 1940s by Teikoku Kagaku Sangyo Inc. in Itami, Japan, by replacing a methyl group on tetracaine (Pantocaine(®)) with an ethyl group. T-cain was clinically approved for topical use in Japan in November 1949, and a mixture of dibucaine and T-cain (Neo-Percamin S(®)) was approved for spinal use in May 1950. Simply because of a lack of foreign marketing strategy, T-cain has never attracted global attention as a local anesthetic. However, in Japan, T-cain has been used topically or intrathecally (as Neo-Percamin S(®)) for more than 60 years. Other than the side effects generally known for all local anesthetics, serious side effects have not been reported for T-cain. In fact, several articles have reported that T-cain decreases the neurotoxicity of dibucaine. In this historical review, the characteristics of T-cain and its rise to become a major spinal anesthetic in Japan are discussed.

Adherence to changing from brand-name to generic atorvastatin in newly treated patients: a retrospective cohort study using health insurance claims.

BackgroundEffect of statin therapy has been reported to be associated with patient’s adherence. Atorvastatin was available in Japan as a brand-name product beginning in 2000. The first atorvastatin generics were introduced in Japan in November 2011. The objective of this study was to analyze whether changing from a brand-name atorvastatin to a generic product would affect patient adherence.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients who received newly prescribed brand-name atorvastatin between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012, using a health insurance claims database in Japan. Patients were classified by the presence or absence of changing to a generic during the 6 months from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012 (the index period). The first prescription date for the generic or brand product during the index period was defined as the index date. Adherence to therapy was assessed by the proportion of days covered (PDC) and persistence of treatment by time to discontinuation.ResultsThere were 135 patients changing to generic atorvastatin and 147 continuing with the brand-name product. There was no significant difference in decrease of PDC from pre- to post-index date between the changed cohort and continued cohort (−8.6% vs −10.3%, respectively; P = 0.443). After adjusting for baseline covariates, including adherence in pre-index date, no statistically significant differences were observed in the adjusted odds of adherence between the cohorts (adjusted odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.46–1.53). There was also no significant difference in persistence between two cohorts in the 180-day after post-index date. After analysis of a Cox proportional hazard regression model controlling for baseline covariates, including adherence in pre-index date, no statistically significant differences were observed for the hazard of non-persistence between the cohorts (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.60–1.53).ConclusionsChanging from a brand-name atorvastatin to generic product did not affect adherence for patients newly treated with atorvastatin.

The role of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and healthcare professionals in post-marketing safety.

The development of drugs and medical devices is necessary for medical progress; however, safety measures need to be put in place to protect the health of the population. In order to ensure the safety of drugs and medical devices, it is important to determine measures for appropriate management of risks at any time during the development phase, the regulatory review and the post-marketing phase. Adverse events detected in clinical trials are limited due to the restricted numbers of patients enrolled in the trials. Therefore, it is almost impossible to predict rare serious adverse events during the post-marketing phase. The revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act was established in Japan in November 20, 2013. The new act focuses on increased safety of drugs and medical devices. The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is the regulatory authority in Japan that promotes safety measures from the development phase through to the post-marketing phase. In the post-marketing phase, the PMDA collects information from the medical product companies and healthcare professionals, as well as instructing and advising them with regard to post-marketing safety measures for each drug and medical device. Since Japan has a national health insurance system, a new drug or a medical device is available throughout the country when the drug price or medical fee is listed in the National Health Insurance price list. Healthcare professionals in medical institutions must learn about the drugs and medical devices they handle, and should make an effort to maintain patient safety. The PMDA medi-navi is a very useful electronic mail delivery service that provides critical information for protecting patients from health hazards caused by adverse events. The 'risk management plan' is also important as it contains important information about safety profile and post-marketing measures of a new drug.

Gender difference in the health risk perception of radiation from Fukushima in Japan: The role of hegemonic masculinity

This paper presents the preliminary findings of gender difference in the perception of radiation risk in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. In-depth interviews were conducted with the residents of Fukushima and other parts of Japan in November 2011 and July 2012. Compared to mothers, fathers in general expressed less concern for radiation. Fathers prioritized their responsibilities as the breadwinner for their families and saw radiation risk as a threat to economic stability and masculine identity. As a result, mothers' health concerns were dismissed, and they were prevented from taking preventive actions. The social norms in the dominant institutions such as corporations and the government influenced men's perception of radiation risk. The findings illustrate the importance of sociocultural context in which meanings of health risk are constructed.

微気圧変動の伝播特性の違いによる副振動の発生海域の違い

Large seiches occurred in Kyushu and its peripheral areas in February and July, 2009. Nakai and Hashimoto(2011, 2012) reported that slight atmospheric pressure changes played very important roles for the seiches. Like the examples of 2009, seiches occur locally in limited areas in many cases. On the other hand, seiches occurred throughout Japan in November, 2004 and January, 2005. The authors analyzed the propagation direction and speed of slight atmospheric changes by F-K spectrum for these cases. Slight atmospheric changes propagated almost eastward and crossed the Japanese Islands quickly in 2009. But they propagated along the Japanese Islands to the northeast direction for a long time in 2004 and 2005. The propagation directions of slight atmospheric pressure changes affect the sea areas where seiches occur very much.

Association of Enjoyable Childhood Mealtimes with Adult Eating Behaviors and Subjective Diet-related Quality of Life

This study examined whether the experience of enjoyable mealtimes at home during childhood was related to eating behaviors and subjective diet-related quality of life in adulthood. The study used data (n = 2,936) obtained from a research program about Shokuiku (food and nutrition education) conducted by the Cabinet Office in Japan in November and December 2009. The study employed logistic regression adjusted for all predictor variables. Enjoyable eating experiences in childhood were positively associated with a balanced diet (meals with 3 dishes; odds ratio [OR]: 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.19), eating vegetable dishes (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.37-2.12), and subjective diet-related quality of life scores (OR: 3.84, 95% CI: 3.14-4.70) in adulthood. This study suggests that enjoyable eating experiences at home during childhood appear to promote healthy eating habits and the development of a positive diet-related quality of life in the future.

Preferable forms of relaxation for health promotion, and the association between recreational activities and self-perceived health.

Little research has been done on the association between relaxation and health. In the present study, by conducting a nationwide cross-sectional survey, we aimed to obtain scientific data on the preferable forms of relaxation for health promotion, and to clarify the associations between specific recreational activities and self-perceived mental and physical health. We selected 4,000 households by stratified random sampling from across Japan in November 2009 and used the interview method to collect data (number of subjects: 2,206). The questionnaire contained items on sleep, recreation status, recreational activities, and self-perceived mental and physical health status. We obtained responses from 1,224 adults (response rate: 55.5%). Insufficient rest from sleep, short sleep duration (<6 h/day), ineffective use of free time, and less free time used for activities other than rest showed independent positive associations with poor mental and physical health. The results of the logistic regression analyses showed significantly low adjusted odds ratios with regard to the status of poor mental and physical health for outings/walking among men (0.33 [95% confidence interval; 0.16-0.68] and 0.49 [0.26-0.90], respectively), and for community activities among women (0.19 [0.04-0.79] and 0.27 [0.09-0.77], respectively). Relaxation for the promotion of health should include both passive relaxation (rest) and active relaxation (recreation). In addition, ensuring sufficient sleep duration is important for passive relaxation, and engaging in outings/walking for men and community activities for women are important for active relaxation.

Low Survival Rate of Renal Transplant Recipients From Unrelated Living Donors With Renal Diseases

In three hospitals within a restricted area in Japan in November, 2006, 42 patients were revealed to have received kidneys transplanted from unrelated living donors who displayed renal diseases. All of these cases were performed by one doctor without any ethical discussion in the hospitals nor any reports to the public. Almost all medical records were discarded legally in two hospitals. Only one hospital, Uwajima City Hospital, kept the almost complete records including the survivals of 25 cases. The Japan Society for Transplantation was asked to analyze these cases leading to this report on the long-term outcome of cases at Uwajima City Hospital. The diseased kidney grafts were procured in four hospitals. The cases of removal of the kidneys from the donors were malignant diseases ( n = 11) or benign diseases ( n = 14). The survival rates of the donors were 86.1% at 1, 70.8% at 5, and 57.7% at 10 years. The survival rates of the recipients transplanted from donors with malignant versus benign diseases were 80.8% versus 92.3% in 1, 48.5% versus 84.6% at 5% and 48.5% versus 76.2% at 10 years, respectively. The survival rates of the grafts from donors with malignant versus benign diseases were 71.6% versus 71.4% at 1, 15.3% versus 50.0% at 5, and 15.3% versus 33.3% at 10 years, respectively. In conclusion, we have reported herein the low survival rates of renal transplantation recipients and grafts from unrelated living donors with preexistent renal diseases.

On Hattori Unokichi's Teaching Materials of Psychology

Hattori Unokichi's Teaching Materials of Psychology (in Chinese) has not been fully understood by Chinese psychological field since there is not available literature. Now, the original version of this book reveals that the book derived from Hattori Unokichi's teaching practice in China since 1902. It was published in Japan in November 1905 and circulated in China. It was a psychological textbook for the students at Jingshi Daxutang (former Peking University). Hattori Unokichi defined psychology as the exploration of the mechanism of mind activities, and observation was the main research method in psychology. However, he did not regard experimental method as the main one in psychological studies although he acknowledged its importance. In those years, scholars believed that it was not easy to use experiment to explore psychological phenomena. The psychological system in Teaching Materials of Psychology was based on the tripartite division (cognition, affect, will), and the author focused on the mental process, not on individual difference. Teaching Materials of Psychology embodies evolutionary approach to psychology and emphasizes service for education. This book reveals the main concepts and dominant system of psychology at the beginning of 20th century. Hattori Unokichi's teaching of psychology was the beginning of modern scientific psychology in Chinese higher education. Hattori Unokichi confirmed the psychological value of Chinese traditional culture and took it into consideration in this textbook. Therefore, we can find that Chinese traditional culture was absorbed into this discipline when Western psychology was introduced to China. The development of Chinese modern psychological terms benefited from the Chinese Characters in Japanese psychological field. With the background of cultural change, Hattori Unokichi directly adopted the current psychological terms in Japan to settle the difficulties of establishing Chinese psychological terms. The fact that Japanese psychological terms were created with Chinese Characters has proved the psychological value of Chinese culture,and absorption and transmission of Japanese modern knowledge in Chinese elite intellectuals promoted the input of Japanese psychological terms created with Chinese characters.

Satoyama–satoumi sub-global assessment in Japan and involvement of the Hokkaido Cluster

A sub-global assessment (SGA) began in Japan in November 2006, and is projected to end in May 2010, when the Tenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) will be held in Nagoya City. Since May 2008, we have been involved in the evaluation of the Hokkaido Cluster, one of four clusters assessed. This report provides a brief background of the relationships between the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) and the SGA, and the governance structure of the SGA in Japan. It also describes our efforts in assessing the Hokkaido Cluster and discusses the challenges of SGA at the cluster and national levels. The MA was a 4-year international appraisal of scientific knowledge on world ecosystems and included global and sub-global assessment. After the MA, Japan began a satoyama–satoumi SGA in 2006. This is composed of six teams: the board, a science assessment panel, author groups, local advisory bodies, the board of review editors, and secretariat. Author groups include a national group and groups for four local clusters: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hoku-shin-etsu, and Western Japan. Work in the Hokkaido Cluster began with a small group in 2008. Authors for the cluster report were selected from among experts on important events regarding satoyama and satoumi in Hokkaido. Generally, Hokkaido has no traditional satoyama–satoumi landscapes created by long-term interactions with the local people. We are now seeking the style of sustainable nature use that is best suited to Hokkaido. The SGA in Japan now faces the challenge of integrating the four cluster assessments according to common indicators.