Japanese Industry Research Articles

SWOT-AHP Analysis of BIM Technology Utilization in the Japanese Construction Industry

Due to its advantages, Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has been widely accepted and developed globally. BIM is transforming traditional construction methods and enabling the resolution of issues such as labor shortages, overwork, and rising costs, which the Japanese construction industry faces. In Japan, there is an active push to promote the application of BIM technology; however, its widespread adoption is encountering numerous challenges and barriers. Although BIM technology has been applied and developed globally, there is still a lack of systematic analysis on the specific challenges and strategies of its implementation in the Japanese construction industry. This study reviews the literature on the application of BIM worldwide and surveys stakeholders in the Japanese construction industry, examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and SWOT analysis, this research prioritizes these factors, assesses their impact on the diffusion of BIM technology, and provides in-depth analysis and insights for the promotion and development of BIM technology in Japan.

Fighting Media Delinquency with Soviet Sound: Nikolai Ekk’s The Road to Life (1931) in Japan at a Time of Crisis

This paper uses a transmedial lens to examine Japan’s engagement with Soviet film, focusing on the 1933 adaptation of Nikolai Ekk’s The Road to Life (Putevka v zhizn’, 1931) for the Japanese pictorial medium of kamishibai. Challenging an unspoken consensus that it was The Road to Life’s status as ‘the first’ Soviet talkie that accounts for its tremendous success and continuing influence, it was in fact the film’s ‘conversion’ narrative that explains equally, if not more so, its popularity and impact. Although a product of a markedly different cultural context, The Road to Life and its depiction of reformed Soviet teenagers appealed to the Japanese state, the Japanese film industry, and to kamishibai creators alike, as each in their own way strove to distance themselves from an associative link with ‘juvenile delinquency,’ as well as from representatives of the Japanese Left who were increasingly persecuted by the state. As such, the film’s conversion narrative functions as a powerful metaphor for the political transformations that both Japan and its visual media underwent in the early 1930s.

Economies of scope in the Japanese banking industry

Economies of scope are usually considered a key factor in explaining bank diversification benefits, as joint production can help spread costs across different operations. However, previous studies have yielded little evidence of scope economies in the banking sector, which fails to explain the empirical results of diversification benefits, especially in Japan. Given that most relevant studies were conducted prior to 2000 and newer methodological approaches have emerged to enhance estimation accuracy, we refocus to this topic and explore the relationship with bank diversification. In this paper, we estimate economies of scope while considering the growing off-balance sheet activities within the Japanese banking industry. Using a sample including 120 Japanese banks from 2000 to 2020, we estimate the cost frontier with a translog cost function through the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) approach. In addition to the traditional measures, we incorporate a new measure of scope economies proposed by Chavas and Kim (2010), allowing us to decompose the scope economies into four different effects. Our findings suggest that nearly all Japanese banks exhibit economies of scope, which may explain the diversification benefits observed in Japan. Furthermore, we find a negative relationship between economies of scope and the level of bank diversification.

The industrial dimension of Australia’s claims for reparations from Japan after World War II

The literature documenting Australia’s claims for reparations from Japan after World War II has focussed on high policy and diplomacy, mainly at the Far Eastern Commission (FEC), and on compensation for former prisoners of war and civilian internees. However, nothing has been published on the considerable industrial dimension, an inherently technological subject. This article examines that aspect and provides answers to some important historical questions. Which Commonwealth Government departments were interested in identifying and claiming Japanese plant and equipment as reparations? What types of plant and equipment did the Commonwealth Government and Australian industries require? What impressions did Japanese technology make on an Australian Reparations Mission sent to Japan to claim machinery on behalf of the Australian Government? And what did Australia derive from a reparations-related FEC scheme that allowed FEC and non-FEC countries access to Japanese intellectual property, ultimately the only success in an otherwise failed endeavour to acquire reparations from Japanese industry?

Review of floor impact sound insulation performance measurement evaluation methods and timber floor specifications in Japan

Since the 1970s, heavy-weight floor impact noise has been a concern in Japan, prompting the development of unique measurement and evaluation methods standardized by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). JIS A 1418-1 specifies the measurement method for light-weight floor impact sound insulation performance, while JIS A 1418-2 defines the measurement method for heavy-weight floor impact sound insulation performance. Two types of standard impact sources, namely car-tire impact source and rubber ball impact source, are specified for measuring the heavy-weight floor impact sound insulation performance. JIS A 1419-2 defines the evaluation method for floor impact sound insulation performance. These methods differ from the international ISO standards, making performance comparison challenging. This paper provides an overview of these Japanese methods. Furthermore, since the enforcement of "the Act on Promotion of Use of Wood in Buildings to Contribute to the Realization of a Decarbonized Society," construction of timber buildings has been promoted in Japan with the aim of encouraging wood usage and contributing to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). However, the floor impact sound insulation performance of timber floors tends to be low, with various specifications for timber floor cross-sections differing among private companies. This paper introduces these specifications and also compares driving-point impedances.

Machine Learning Prediction of Leuconostoc spp. Growth Inducing Spoilage in Cooked Deli Foods Considering the Effect of Glycine and Sodium Acetate

To control spoilage by lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc spp.) in cooked deli food, various combinations of environmental and/or intrinsic factors have been employed based on hurdle technology. Since many factors and their combinations greatly influence Leuconostoc spp. growth, this study aimed to develop a machine learning model based on the experimentally obtained growth kinetic data using extreme gradient boosting tree algorithm to quantitatively and flexibly predict Leuconostoc spp. growth. In particular, the effects of sodium acetate (0–1.5%) and glycine (0–1.5%), which are frequently used food additives in the Japanese food industry, on the growth of Leuconostoc spp. in cooked deli foods were examined with a combination of temperature (5–25 °C) and pH (5.0–6.0) conditions. The developed machine learning model to predict the number of Leuconostoc spp. over time successfully demonstrates comparable accuracy in culture media to the conventional Baranyi model-based prediction. Furthermore, while the accuracy of the prediction by the machine learning model for cooked deli foods such as potato salad, Japanese simmered hijiki, and unohana evaluated by the proportion of relative error within the acceptable prediction range was 98%, the accuracy of the conventional Baranyi model-based prediction was 89%. The developed machine learning model successfully and flexibly predicted the growth of Leuconostoc spp. in various cooked deli foods incorporating the effect of food additives, with an accuracy comparable to or better than that of the conventional kinetic-based model.

Production of nitrogen-free syngas (H2 + CO) from CO2 and NH3

Abstract Towards the goal of carbon neutrality, future chemical production could utilize captured CO2 as a carbon source instead of fossil carbon from petroleum or natural gas. However, the production of chemicals from CO2 is highly energy-intense. The required energy could be imported to Japan in the form of hydrogen. However, the long-distance transport of molecular hydrogen is challenging. NH3 has recently emerged as the most promising molecule for long-distance hydrogen transport and storage. The use of imported NH3 as an energy vector to realize carbon recycling in the Japanese chemical industry is promising. Syngas (H2+CO) is an important intermediate in the production of chemicals and fuels from CO2. Hydrogen is required not only as a constituent of syngas, but also as a reductant of CO2. If hydrogen is imported in the form of NH3, conventionally, NH3 would be cracked to H2 and N2, the product gases and unconverted NH3 separated, and CO/syngas then be produced through the reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS). This conventional pathway is energy-intense and requires many unit operations. Here a novel process to produce nitrogen-free syngas directly, without producing molecular H2 first and without any dedicated gas separation steps is presented. This is realized by a using a metal oxide bed material that is active for catalytic cracking of NH3, as well as able to transport oxygen through a redox reaction in a newly designed process. This leads to an inherent separation of N2. This process, referred to herein as “NH3-RWGS” has the potential to decrease costs and increase efficiency of syngas production from CO2 and NH3.

Developments in Japanese policy towards the African continent for the period (1946 - 2003)

The topic of Japanese policy towards the African continent is one of the topics that has not been adequately highlighted, so this study came to explain the developments of Japanese policy during the period of the study, showing through it Japan’s policy interests in Africa and the tools for implementing them, as Japanese interests range between what is economic and what is The basis is the Japanese approach to obtain natural resources and wealth and open markets after the rapid growth achieved by Japanese industries, and what is political, which aims to restructure the Security Council in order to obtain a permanent seat and for Japan to take a greater role befitting its economic and political status in global issues. And what is security, which aims to combat piracy, achieve maritime security, and maintain peace to preserve its strategic interests on the continent.

Digital and Green Transitions and Automotive Industry Reconfiguration: Evidence From Japan and China

Digital and green transformations are causing a reconfiguration of the automotive industry. Exploring the factors that cause this is the first aim of this article. This is achieved by examining the evolving automotive industry in East Asia from three different perspectives, each of which offers insights into the implications of this reconfiguration for the states, industries, and companies involved. Having reviewed the debate on the role of institutions and factors affecting the global value chain (GVC) reconfiguration, a descriptive analysis of trends in the Japanese and Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) industries and the related dynamics of the traditional automotive value chain is conducted. An in-depth analysis of Toyota and Honda shows how partnerships with Chinese information and communications technology and NEV firms contribute to the greening and hence reconfiguration of their industry. This analysis provides insight into how the state’s “external” role in the process of GVC formation is being challenged by economic security vulnerabilities related to the emerging NEV industry, thereby inviting further discussion on new dimensions of state–business co-operation.

Japanese climate capitalism? Toward an understanding of industry’s changing attitudes toward climate change mitigation in Japan

Despite a history of progressive environmental policies in relation to pollution and energy efficiency, Japan stands out as a country with relatively few achievements on the issue of climate change. While research on Japanese climate change policy up until now has focused attention on the role played by government, to date insufficient attention has been paid to the role and impacts of various sectors of Japanese industry in both directly influencing climate change policy and in shaping the discourse surrounding climate change in Japan, as well as to the ways through which the accumulation strategies of different fractions of capital may be impacted by climate change policy. This article overcomes this gap by surveying business responses to climate change and climate change policy through a mixed methods approach that combines content analysis and critical discourse analysis of major firms’ annual corporate reports, comparing data from 2010, the last year prior to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that had highly disruptive impacts on Japan’s power generation capacity as well as the discourse surrounding energy more widely, and 2022, the most recent year for which all firms had data available. The content analysis results indicate a substantial increase in attention to climate change related keywords between 2010 and 2022 across all sectors, but particularly for the oil and gas, electric power, and steel manufacturing sectors. Yet a closer look at some of the detailed comments from key firms indicated an ongoing commitment to continued expansion of output and consumption, with carbon neutrality to be achieved wholly through the application of advanced technologies, many of which are currently commercially or technically unviable, raising questions about many firms’ abilities to effectively achieve their emissions reductions targets without more significant changes to their overall business strategies.

Structural Changes in Environmental Policies in the Japanese Real Estate Industry

Structural Changes in Environmental Policies in the Japanese Real Estate Industry

Business Models and Cultural Negotiations between Chinese and Japanese Enterprises and Organizations: A Study Based on the IP Licensing Process of the Japanese Animation Industry

The Japanese animation industry has developed for a long time. It is one of the most mature animation markets. Globalization serves as a new and inexhaustible driving force for the Japanese animation industry. China as an active responder to globalization, has already become the largest consumer of the products of Japanese animation. However, there are some differences between the business models and cultures in Chinese and Japanese enterprises and organizations in trading and negotiating on IP licensing. In the early days, the Japanese animation industry generally adopted a single-investor financing model, which means where the investor bore all profits and losses. Since the 1990s, the Japanese animation industry has gradually formed and adopted a multi-member collaborative model centered around a "production committee" to invest and produce animation products, in which the members of the “production committee” co-invest, share risks, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win. The variation in business models is intricately linked to the different market economy environment at the time. With the development of globalization, as investors and copyright owners of animation works and products, the multi-member "production committee" plays a significant role in the overseas licensing operations of Japanese animation IPs, which requires professional teams or enterprises with cross-cultural experience necessitating coordination by.

A passenger service revolution? Transport design and passenger experience on Tokyo’s urban railway network, c. 1945–2010

This article discusses the history of efforts to shape passenger experience aboard urban railways through transport design. Taking Japan National Railways (JNR) trains as a case study, it examines the development of design interventions and organisational polices seeking to increase passenger comfort on Tokyo’s urban railway network in the second half of the 20th century. Industry and popular accounts have often tied the improvement of transport quality and passenger experience aboard JNR trains to its privatisation in 1987. In contrast, this article shows that passenger-oriented transport design has been an integral component in a continuous project to make urban railway travel more pleasant that long preceded this 1987 change in governance structures but has been held back by organisational and structural challenges. In doing so, it highlights that transport design involves the conscious shaping of both the “hardware” (i.e. physical transport infrastructure) and “software” (i.e. passenger-staff interactions) of service, as well as the backstage modification of organisational structures and processes that facilitate this framework. Built on a qualitative analysis of Japanese industry publications, newspapers, and secondary sources, the article thus contributes to literature on passenger experience, mobilities design, and transport history.

Comparative Genome Analysis of Japanese Field-Isolated Aspergillus for Aflatoxin Productivity and Non-Productivity.

Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, a carcinogenic fungal toxin that poses a threat to the agricultural and food industries. There is a concern that the distribution of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus is expanding in Japan due to climate change, and it is necessary to understand what types of strains inhabit. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of four Aspergillus strains isolated from agricultural fields in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan and identified their genetic variants. Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide variants revealed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains were closely related to A. flavus NRRL3357, whereas the two non-producing strains were closely related to the RIB40 strain of Aspergillus oryzae, a fungus widely used in the Japanese fermentation industry. A detailed analysis of the variants in the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster showed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains belonged to different morphotype lineages. RT-qPCR results indicated that the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes was consistent with aflatoxin production in the two aflatoxin-producing strains, whereas the two non-producing strains expressed most of the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes, unlike common knowledge in A. oryzae, suggesting that the lack of aflatoxin production was attributed to genes outside of the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster in these strains.

Breaking the spiral of silence: News and social media dynamics on sexual abuse scandal in the Japanese entertainment industry

Breaking the spiral of silence: News and social media dynamics on sexual abuse scandal in the Japanese entertainment industry

The Talent Training Model of Forensic Medicine in Japan and Its Reference.

The quality of Japanese forensic experts has been widely recognized around the world, which cannot be separated from the "ripple effect" caused by the rapid rise of the modern forensic education in Japan. By continuously adopting foreign forensic education resources and teaching experience, it has finally formed a forensic professional talent training model with a clear hierarchy of basic education and professional training, as well as classroom teaching and case studies complementing each other; and it continuously improves the comprehensive quality of practitioners through domestic training and international exchange and cooperation, providing talented professionals for the development of the Japanese forensic industry. In this context, this article takes the development history of Japanese forensic medicine as the starting point to study how it gradually formed the embryonic form of forensic education in modern times. Based on this, it analyzes the characteristics of Japan's modern forensic medicine talent training model, summarizes excellent experiences for localized transformation, such as emphasizing the role of practical teaching, exerting the effectiveness of vocational skills training, and promoting international exchange and cooperation, to provide reference and inspiration for the training of relevant professional talents in China.

Studio Restructuring Without the Paramount Decree: Japanese Film Industry and Oligopoly after the 1960s

The Hollywood motion picture industry has been the epitome of our understanding and explanation of the rise and fall of the studio system. However, this study spotlights the Japanese studio system, which was solidly maintained until the late 1960s. Carefully tracing the process through which the major studios outsourced the production sector, this study examines state regulation against monopoly as a crucial factor explaining the reorganisation of the Japanese film industry after studio restructuring. Because anti-monopoly policies such as the Paramount Decree did not exist in Japan, the studios moved toward maintaining affiliate theatres despite reorganisation in the 1960s and 1970s. As a result, independent producers who did not possess their own distribution networks branched into three major categories: theatrical, low budget adult films; social films meant for independent exhibition, and blockbusters supported by external finance. The shifts in the production sector paradoxically highlight the decisive influence of distribution in the film industry. In essence, this study endeavors to present an alternative analytical approach, using Japan as a case study, for comprehending the rise and fall of the studio system and its restructuring.

Evaluating the impact of trade remedy measures on mature Japanese industries

Japan has recently initiated the implementation of trade remedy measures, although on a limited scale, with a primary focus on mature industries such as basic chemicals. This study analyzes the impact of these measures on beneficiary Japanese firms using an event study approach on stock prices. It aims to contribute to existing literature by providing a case analysis of Japanese trade remedy cases that have not been explored. It was found that beneficiary firms saw a statistically significant increase in market value following affirmative final determinations, particularly in expiry investigations. Further analysis revealed that the value increases were seen by firms that steadily conducted R&D activities and those that managed to maintain production without exiting or restructuring their operations. This suggests that trade remedy measures are not merely lifelines for mature and declining industries.

Job satisfaction brought about by the innovative personality of the supervisor: Adding new dimensions to leadership research

This study analyzed supervisor factors that affect employee attitudes, and adds two new aspects to these. We applied structural equation modeling to an online survey of 1,000 full-time employees across 10 Japanese industries. We found that the supervisor's innovative personality had a positive effect on the subordinates' job satisfaction, and the traditional drinking culture of Japanese companies had a positive effect on the subordinates' turnover intention. Therefore, it is necessary to convey the importance of expressing innovation on a daily basis in training managers, and to not force the drinking culture into the 360-degree evaluation feedback of supervisors.

일본 손해보험산업의 재무성과 분석에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study examines financial performance of the Japanese non-life insurance industry comparing USA and Korean non-life insurance industry by using the A.M. Best’s rating technique. We also aim to contribute to an improved understanding of the relationship between growth, efficiency, profitability, safety, and liquidity in Japanese non-life insurance industry. Research design, data, and methodology: We conduct factor analysis to measure the validity of key variable factors of property-liability insurers in Japan, USA, and Korean for the 2010 to 2019 time period. After factor analysis, we also calculate total score of each non-life insurance industry and compare total scores without weighting value by using principal component analysis. Also, we analyze the relationship among these variables and the interdependence between profitability and safety by using a multiple linear regression analysis. Implications: Three findings are highlighted as follow: First, the correlation coefficient in the Japan general insurance industry represents the linear relationship between variables. It can be seen that profitability has a positive relationship with growth of the premium, asset size of the Japanese non-life insurance industry, and liquidity and it has a negative relationship with safety and efficiency. The highest correlation among the variables occurs between profitability and safety because less profitable insurers are more willings to take risks. Second, there is strong relationship between profitability and safety, which is signifiant at 0.01 level in the Japan general insurance industry. We conclude that insurers with a higher solvency ratio should show a better profitability than other peers. Finally, Japan non-life insurance has good level of efficiency, safety, and liquidity, the growth and profit performance shows the margin(below) of average level, it should improve profitability and growth areas in order to take comparative advantages in a competitive global general insurance industry.