Japanese National Universities Research Articles

Development in disaster nursing: The challenges of various research designs

Human health and lives are threatened by natural disasters happening around the world, armed conflicts and terrorist attacks occurring repeatedly in various countries, and the spread of infectious diseases. The Japanese Nursing Association defines a disaster as “an unexpected event—natural or man-made—that threatens life and health of many people. Disaster includes not only primary damage caused by an earthquake, fire, etc., but also secondary threats to life and health.” Particularly, in recent years, disasters have been on the increase, due to environmental changes including global warming, as well as social changes such as an aging population and population influx into urban areas. The disaster cycle is divided into four phases: (i) acute phase (immediately to 48 h after the disaster); (ii) sub-acute phase (31 month); (iii) midto long-term phase (3a few months or years); and (iv) the silent phase. Nursing professionals with knowledge and expertise in health care and patient support can play important roles in supporting the health of disaster-affected people in all phases of the disaster cycle. For example, nurses can comprehensively assess the physical, mental and social conditions of people with health problems, and provide necessary physical and emotional care. When a disaster strikes, lifeline services are often disrupted, forcing people to shelter in evacuation centers and endure a difficult life there. Nursing professionals can work to improve the living environment of evacuation centers through services such as water supply and hygiene management (provision of clean toilet facilities etc.). They can also make proper arrangements for the delivery of medical and relief supplies. Furthermore, they can provide long-term support for disaster survivors by encouraging them to summon up the strength to carry on and rebuild their lives. As just described, nursing professionals can contribute to a wide range of areas, from emergency medical services in the acute phase, to mental health nursing care, infectious disease prevention and health guidance in the midand long-term phase. As stated above, Disaster Nursing is expected to play an important role. To fulfill the expected role, it is necessary to accumulate the knowledge on disaster nursing and systematize disaster nursing care while continuing to provide care and make improvements. To this end, research is essential. The Japan Society of Disaster Nursing defines disaster nursing as “activities to minimize the impact of a disaster on human life and health by systematically and flexibly using specialized knowledge and skills in disaster nursing and by working in cooperation with professionals in other fields.” However, it is pointed out that internationally, there is insufficient systematic knowledge of Disaster Nursing, and that the numbers of disaster nursing experts are not sufficient. Thus, five graduate schools from the five Japanese national, public and private universities that have been playing a leading role in disaster nursing (University of Kochi, University of Hyogo, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiba University, the Japan Red Cross College of Nursing) jointly launched a project to develop global leaders in disaster nursing— Disaster Nursing Global Leader Degree Program (DNGLDP). This project was selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as a Project for Promotion of Global Human Resource Development (2012–2018; http://www.dngl.jp/).

Missions of the Japanese National University Corporations in the 21st Century: Content Analysis of Mission Statements

In 2004, Japanese national universities became national university corporations (NUCs). Many scholars have discussed the NUCs as Japan’s alignment with neo-liberalism in higher education. Under the new system, these NUCs have stronger autonomy in governing their institutions, while they remain under pressure to serve the country’s goals as government agencies. The present study examined the mission statements of 86 NUCs to explore their visions and roles. The findings based on content analysis revealed the NUCs’ strong commitment to improving education and research. A few select NUCs place stronger emphasis on research while others focus on education. These NUCs express a commitment to society and their regional communities—some more strongly than others. These NUCs recognize the importance of general and advanced specialized education. The paper discusses these findings in reference to the discourse of neo-liberalism in higher education and the unique Japanese contexts shaping these NUCs’ missions. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n3p197

The relationship between college students' choice of part-time work, commitment, and job-search goal setting: The role of core self-evaluation and job characteristics

Part-time work has been a popular activity among students in Japan. This study investigates college students' choice of jobs in their part-time work, which influences their commitment in the workplace and job-search goal setting. The results of a survey, with a sample of 123 undergraduate students in Japanese national universities, revealed that students with positive core self-evaluation were more likely to engage in jobs with high levels of skill variety in their part-time work. It was also found that high levels of skill variety and job autonomy in parttime work lead to stronger commitment in the workplace, which in turn leads to setting higher goals for future job search. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

University‐industry collaboration in Japan by technology fields

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to clarify how university‐industry (U‐I) collaboration differs by technology fields in Japan.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis of the research resource allocation in the Japanese national universities in the Japanese national innovation system is followed by the analysis of U‐I collaboration by technology fields. The fields analyzed are life science, information and communication technology (ICT), environment science, nanotechnology and material science, which have been designated as strategically important fields by the Second Japanese Science and Technology Basic Plan. The analysis was conducted in a quantitative way using government data of R&D expenditure, researchers, patent application, joint research, contract research and university spin‐offs.FindingsSome characteristics of U‐I collaboration have been quantitatively found by technology fields. Though the national universities occupy large R&D expenditure shares in life science and nanotechnology/material science in the Japanese national innovation system, their joint research and contract research are fairly active in environment science as well as in life science and in nanotechnology/material science. For university spin‐offs, the national universities are active in life science and ICT.Originality/valueThis paper quantitatively clarifies U‐I collaboration by technology fields showing relative importance of U‐I collaboration by technology fields. The results provide information input to policy makers when they formulate policies to promote U‐I collaboration by technology fields and to corporate managers when they make U‐I collaboration strategies by technology fields as a part of open innovation strategies.

A statistical study of transferral and promotion mechanisms relating to the appointment of professors at Japanese national universities based on cross tabulation and log-linear model analysis

The aim of this study is to use the Japanese university employee list (published by Kojunsha) to compile a database of teacher transferrals in higher education (HM-DB) at 9 points in time over the 21-year period from 1988 to 2008, and then to use this database to assess and analyze the status of national university teachers immediately before and after assuming office as professors in order to gain some understanding of the transferral mechanisms of teachers at Japan's national universities. From the results of cross-tabulation analysis, it has become clear that a growing proportion of transfers involving the appointment of professors involve movements between very similar universities (transferral blocking phenomenon), and that there is a growing tendency for professorial appointments to involve a migration from universities with a lower share of published research papers to universities with a higher share. Also, by constructing a log-linear model and performing a residual analysis, we have found that although these trends are clearly apparent, they do not yet have a great deal of influence.

Analysis of Transitions of Organizations for University-Industry Collaborations in Japanese National Universities

Analysis of Transitions of Organizations for University-Industry Collaborations in Japanese National Universities

Incorporation of national universities in Japan design, implementation and consequences

As of April 1 of 2004, Japanese national universities became National University Corporations (NUCs hereafter). While the reform was implemented in a wave of initiatives for restructuring government activities, it reflected to an extent the current global trend toward marketization of higher education. Examination of this reform will not only help understand the current reforms in Japan, but also illuminate some of the fundamental issues that the higher education systems in the world are facing. In this article, I shall outline the historical and political backdrops of the reform (Sect. 1), outline the basic construct of the NUC (Sect. 2), examine the process of implementation and the issues revealed in the process (Sect. 3), and discuss basic problems involved in this scheme.

The effects of peer tutoring between domestic and international students: the tutor system at Japanese universities

International students often require extracurricular assistance upon arrival in the host country. Many universities operate programs pairing international and domestic students for academic and adjustment assistance. The tutor system operating at Japanese national universities has similar objectives. Although the literature has highlighted several problems with the system, it is viewed as a viable form of educational assistance. This study examined the data from 38 interviews with tutors, international student tutees, and administrators, qualitatively analysing the perspectives of these stakeholders to uncover the main factors determining program effectiveness. Data analysis revealed several main themes relating to tutoring effectiveness, and differences were found in how tutors and tutees perceived their participation in the system. Although tutees tended to focus on the interpersonal relationship, tutors were more concerned about their tutoring ability. Implications of the findings are discussed for enhancing peer‐pairing programs to better accommodate the needs of students.

Current trends in diagnostic and therapeutic principles for prostate cancer in Japan

This study aimed to clarify characteristics of the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in Japan. In September 2005, questionnaire surveys were mailed to Japanese urologists (response rate, 43%; 474/1090) who were listed as voting members (VMs) of the Japanese Urological Association (JUA); the questionnaire surveys were also mailed to professors and chairmen (PCs) of urology departments at Japanese national, public, and private universities who were also VMs of the JUA (response rate, 76%; 68/90). The questionnaires asked about beliefs and practices regarding prostate cancer management. The answers of the VMs and PCs to the questionnaire were very similar. About 60% of these urologists answered that they did not set an age limit for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and about 40% answered that they did not set an age limit for prostate needle biopsy in individuals with an intermediately elevated PSA level. The age limit for radical prostatectomy (RP) was set at 75 years by 69% (322/470) of the VMs and 66% (45/68) of the PCs. The order of priority of factors considered for the selection of RP for early prostate cancer was radicality, including tumor grade (mean, 1.97); patient's wish for radical surgery (mean, 2.47); comorbidity (mean, 2.72); and age (mean, 2.81). There are trends in diagnostic and therapeutic principles for prostate cancer which are characteristic of Japan, and these trends are associated with the recent rapid extension of life expectancy in that country.

Incorporation of National Universities in Japan

In April 2004, Japanese national universities were incorporated and became much more autonomous from the government in their operations. Their managerial structure was realigned—placing the president at the centre of the decision-making process, and with the participation of external persons—to be more responsive to the changing needs of society. This article explores the impact of the reform on the national universities, focusing on how they handle increased autonomy in terms of financial and human resource management, evaluation, and so on. Then it analyses challenges for the future of national universities and argues for necessary conditions and policies to enable them to better serve society.

Japan's New Technology Transfer System and the Pre-Emption of University Discoveries by Sponsored Research and Co-Inventorship

Following the incorporation of Japanese national universities in April 2004, the ownership of university inventions is now similar to that in the USA. However, in contrast to the USA, joint research projects involving close collaboration with company researchers who are frequently named as co-inventors are common. A large proportion of university discoveries are passed directly to established companies under joint research agreements. This perpetuates the pre-2004 situation. It also raises concerns that large companies are pre-empting publicly funded discoveries and decreasing opportunities for new company formation. An analysis of inventions reported to a major national university indicates that one-third are attributed to joint research, and, among those inventions for which patent applications are filed, the proportion is still higher. The corresponding proportions at most other major universities are probably even higher than at this university. Pre-emption by large companies is more common in engineering and materials/chemistry than in the life sciences. Further cross-national comparisons are needed to assess the impact on innovation and basic research of the Japanese and US models of university–industry cooperation, and to guide policy.

Assuring and Enhancing Educational Quality in Universities: A Perspective from Japan

As an analysis of context and rationale, and of the changing strategies and practice since the early 1990s, this article identifies the major arrangements for assuring and enhancing educational quality and touches on their characteristics, with a focus on the Japanese national universities. The effects of, and issues raised by, current strategies and practice are examined. In its conclusions, the article concludes by arguing that, since the early 1990s changes in the strategies and measures for enhancing educational quality are not only affected by recent domestic and international driving forces, but also by the traditions, inherent character and the existing patterns of governance in the Japanese national sector. As the current strategies and measures result essentially from conflict, coordination or compromise between government and national universities, both government and individual institutions have exerted a direct and profound influence on the current quality assurance system. Whether the present quality assurance system can be considered as an absolute and real third-party evaluation or whether indeed it is able to evaluate from the perspective of a third party is arguable. It is important for government to implement appropriate policies at national level to maintain and enhance educational quality in the national sector, to include for more stakeholders, third parties and students, and to incorporate market mechanisms into individual institutions. Changes in existing patterns of governance, in faculty attitudes and initiatives at program or study level, together with the introduction of faculty development will eventually play a decisive role in improving educational quality.

3.法人化導入後の大学安全衛生管理の現状と今後の課題(シンポジウム4:労働安全衛生法と大学法人化,地方の時代の産業保健,第79回日本産業衛生学会)

3.法人化導入後の大学安全衛生管理の現状と今後の課題(シンポジウム4:労働安全衛生法と大学法人化,地方の時代の産業保健,第79回日本産業衛生学会)

Expanding Mechanism of Environmental Education in Japanese National Universities

Expanding Mechanism of Environmental Education in Japanese National Universities

Institutionalization of Environmental Science and Establishment of Environment-Related Graduate Schools in Japanese National Universities

Institutionalization of Environmental Science and Establishment of Environment-Related Graduate Schools in Japanese National Universities

Japanese national universities are now 'incorporated'

A new national policy is expected to improve university tech transfer and give biotech a boost in Japan.

The establishment mechanism of environment-related departments in Japanese national universities, focusing on graduate schools

In order to solve the global environmental problems and to create a sustainable society, it is necessary to establish the environmental science as an interdisciplinary science. One of the indices of the institutionalization of the environmental science is the environment-related departments in universities. Because the discipline of environmental science has not been well established yet, there is a gap between ideals and realities about research and education in these departments. One of the factors that caused the gap is the way these departments were established. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the mechanism of the establishment of environment-related departments, focusing on independent graduate schools (e.g. the graduate schools of environmental science). As a result, the higher education policy as well as efforts of establishment of the environmental science turns out to be one of the most important factors to the establishment mechanism of environment-related departments of independent graduate schools.

Educating overseas students: just another responsibility or a chance to grow for faculty?

With a gradual decrease of the university-entering young population, Japanese universities face more and more competition for survival. It is up to each university's efforts to be distinctive and competitive to flourish toward the 21st century. At Tokyo Medical and Dental University, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry will be reorganised in April 2000 as a graduate-school-centred university, where faculty will face increased demands in research activities while maintaining or even improving undergraduate education. On the other hand, our university has a 20-year history of accepting overseas students mainly from Asia, and ranks first among Japanese national universities in terms of the number of overseas students studying health sciences. Do our faculty regard teaching overseas students as just another responsibility to be fulfilled or as a unique opportunity to grow as a university faculty? In October 1998, a questionnaire was conducted to discover the faculty attitude towards education of overseas students. Out of 211 dental faculty members, 164 responded to the questionnaire. The results indicated that about 90% of the respondents were interested in teaching overseas students and that those who had already served as a supervisor or a tutor found the experience very meaningful. The results also indicated that they encountered problems deriving from language and culture. It was suggested that our university should redefine overseas student education as an important part of our mission by establishing a more comprehensive system for accepting and teaching overseas students.

Combatting Discrimination at a Japanese University

According to the Ministry of Education, over 80 percent of the foreign teachers in Japanese national universities have term limits to their employment, while the figure for regional public universities is 40 percent. In the past two years, the Ministry of Education has shifted away from internationalization (kokusaika) toward the buzzword kyosei, variously translated as coexistence or symbiosis. This signals a retreat from the pluralism implied in internationalization toward the separatism of coexistence.

Support Builds for Curbs on Lifetime Faculty Posts

Tokyo—Lifetime appointments to Japanese national universities are a tradition that has restricted the flow of scientists among institutions and between academia and industry. But an influential committee to the Ministry of Education appears ready to propose significant changes in the practice, a move that supporters say will improve the quality of research.