Overseas Cooperation Research Articles

Half a century of Japanese research on two Neglected Tropical Diseases (trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis): Overseas scientific cooperation

Trypanosoma and Leishmania species are responsible of a range of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) from disfiguring conditions to fatal processes in humans. Both genera also affect wild and domestic animals causing diseases of public health significance and high economic impact on farm economy of developing areas. Japan has been actively involved in overseas cooperation and the country has a large scientific community. However, there is no information on the scientific output of Japanese scientists and institutions on these two NTDs. To explore the Japanese contribution and its profile, we have mined Web of Science database from 1971 to 2022 the articles by Japanese scientists, scientific areas and institutions, time-related variations of these parameters, and involvement in cooperation activities with foreign scientists. Research on Trypanosoma has been present in all the studied period, with higher production, whereas Leishmania-related activities showed a delay. A steady increased of Japanese scientific output was found up to the beginning of 2000s, whereas a certain stagnation was found in the present century. Low growth rate of research output on these two NTDs by Japanese authors in the 21st century is not correlated neither to the pattern found globally nor the situation in other parasitic infections. Thus, other elements should be considered in future analysis including the actual number of scientists involved and the available funding. Reinforcement of research groups from Japanese institutions and widening the scope of collaborations, particularly with health and academic centers from endemic regions, could trigger the Japanese productivity in the research area.

Attacks Against Military Doctors in the French Overseas Cooperation: A Predicament of State Humanitarianism in the 1970s

Attacks Against Military Doctors in the French Overseas Cooperation: A Predicament of State Humanitarianism in the 1970s

Investigating Japan’s physical education assistance to other countries: extraction of major categories and examination of their relevance

PurposeThis study aims to provide the history and overview of the major categories of physical education (PE) assistance that Japan has provided to other countries by extracting the major categories from the various materials.Design/methodology/approachThis study is divided into two phases, Phases 1 and 2. Surveys and analyses were further conducted. In Phase 1, a web browser-based survey was conducted to ascertain the major categories of PE assistance that Japan has provided to other countries. The practices and projects investigated were classified inductively, and the major categories were extracted. In Phase 2, a literature review was conducted to organise the history and overview of each category extracted in Phase 1.FindingsSix major categories were extracted: (1) dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers engaged in PE assistance, (2) assistance through training for those involved in PE, (3) revision or formulation of a PE curriculum, (4) preparation of textbooks or instructional materials for PE, (5) organising sports event and (6) maintenance of PE equipment and facilities.Originality/valueJapan has a long history of providing PE assistance to other countries. However, historical materials on the practices and projects of PE are becoming scattered. Little literature addresses this gap, which this study seeks to address. This study can help policy makers in other countries, who can use Japan’s PE assistance practices and policies for reference, to assist them in formulating their own policies.

Exploring how international social workers perceive culturally relevant practices: A case study of Japanese social workers’ experiences in other Asian countries

AbstractThis pilot case study, as part of an international social work research project, explored how culturally relevant collaborative practices were perceived by international social workers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with social workers (n = 4) who had worked as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for 2 years in another Asian country. Thematic analysis was applied to their narratives. Three main themes were found: ‘socio‐cultural understanding based on local life and activities’, ‘collaborative practice with local stakeholders’ and ‘attitudes and perspectives at the local practice’. Although the background and context of the interviewees’ activities differed, they stressed the importance of deepening their socio‐cultural understanding, together with learning local languages and deploying appropriate communication methods, through living in each locality and interacting with local people. They also described the process of exploring the collaborative activities through dialogue with local people, while taking a reflective view. These findings indicate the necessity for a deeper examination of collaborative practice by domestic and international social workers in various fields.

Clinical laboratory status and issues in developing countries determined on the basis of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer surveys: Technical support in clinical laboratory in developing countries

Clinical laboratory status and issues in developing countries determined on the basis of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer surveys: Technical support in clinical laboratory in developing countries

Internationalisation of Higher Education: Building South-South Partnerships between China and Mexico

As an important emerging economy, Mexico is significant to China for promoting world multipolarisation as well as an important partner in jointly building a community of shared future for mankind. Educational exchanges and co-operation are an indispensable part of friendly transactions between China and Mexico. Both countries have made many advancements in the fields of personnel turnover, the establishment of overseas co-operation centres, language promotion, and vocational and technical training. Both China and Mexico regard the other as an important education partner. In future co-operation, the two countries should continue to promote vocational education, improve the degree system, and pay attention to hidden safety issues.

How Do Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in the Field of Physical Education Return Their Experiences to Society after Finishing Their Volunteer Work? Analysis Based on Qualitative Research Methods

How Do Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in the Field of Physical Education Return Their Experiences to Society after Finishing Their Volunteer Work? Analysis Based on Qualitative Research Methods

The circumstances and issues about research conducted on Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in the field of physical education

The circumstances and issues about research conducted on Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in the field of physical education

ESD 実践における学校教員の国際教育協力経験活用の 可能性 ─青年海外協力隊「現職教員特別参加制度」参加による状況的学習を通して─

ESD 実践における学校教員の国際教育協力経験活用の 可能性 ─青年海外協力隊「現職教員特別参加制度」参加による状況的学習を通して─

自由学園・青年海外協力隊・人類学 : 「共感」の功罪をめぐって

自由学園・青年海外協力隊・人類学 : 「共感」の功罪をめぐって

What Motivates Japan’s International Volunteers? Categorizing Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs)

The literature on international volunteer motivation has highlighted mainly Western cases, while almost ignoring Asian volunteers. Through an analysis of the motivations of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs), this study aims to identify who they are and to contribute to our understanding of individual behavior in relation to international volunteering. This is the first quantitative study of their motivation, and we surveyed them using a series of questionnaires. We obtained 1507 responses from the volunteers, and a cluster analysis of the revealed motives categorized them into six types, labeled as: (I) curious; (II) business-minded; (III) development assistance; (IV) quest for oneself; (V) change-oriented; and (VI) altruist. The results show that each of these groups tends to have a different set of motives, and these can be characterized according to their socio-demographic and behavioral information. The results confirm that JOCVs have the same altruistic and egoistic motivations that have been observed in the Western studies. From a practical perspective, our six clusters of volunteers match the three purposes of the JOCV program, and show that, to a certain extent, the program has been successful in recruiting young Japanese people. Moreover, the classifications will be helpful when the JOCV Secretariat managers wish to target specific types of volunteers for special recruiting and training.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum, novel etiological agent for traveler\u2019s diarrhea\u2014report of four Japanese patients who returned from Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea

BackgroundCountries in the Southeast Asia region have a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth, such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworms [Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma ceylanicum]. Recent molecular-based surveys have revealed that A. ceylanicum, a zoonotic hookworm, is likely the second most prevalent hookworm species infecting humans in that part of the world, while others have noted that this infection is an emerging public health risk not only for indigenous people but also for visitors from other countries.Case presentationWe recently encountered four cases of A. ceylanicum infection in Japanese individuals who returned from Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. Case 1 was a 25-year-old male who stayed in a rainforest in Malaysia for 4 weeks, where he developed abdominal pain and diarrhea in the third week. Eleven adult worms (five males, six females) were expelled after treatment with pyrantel pamoate and identified as A. ceylanicum based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Case 2 was a 26-year-old male who spent 2 years as an overseas cooperation volunteer for agriculture in Papua New Guinea. He did not note any symptoms at that time, though eggs were detected in feces samples at a medical check-up examination after returning. Although collection of adult worms was unsuccessful, DNA analysis of the eggs for cox1 and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and ITS-2 genes demonstrated that they were A. ceylanicum. Case 3 was a 47-year-old male who spent 1 month in a rural village in Lao People’s Democratic Republic and began suffering from watery diarrhea from the third week. A total of nine adult worms (three males, six females) were collected by endoscopic procedures and following treatment with pyrantel pamoate. Morphological examination and molecular analyses of the cox1 gene showed that they were A. ceylanicum. Case 4 was a 27-year-old male who participated in group travel to India for 5 days. Three weeks after returning, he developed abdominal pain and diarrhea. Hookworm eggs were found in feces samples and developed into larvae in culture, which were identified as A. ceylanicum based on molecular analysis of the cox1 gene. Eosinophilia was observed in all of the cases prior to treatment.ConclusionsA. ceylanicum should be recognized as an important etiologic pathogen of hookworm diseases in travelers to countries in the Southeast Asia and West Pacific Ocean regions.

Study on the Construction Modes of China’s Overseas Cooperation Industrial Parks Along the Belt and Road

Study on the Construction Modes of China’s Overseas Cooperation Industrial Parks Along the Belt and Road

Japanese-language education by Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

Japanese-language education by Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

The new structural economics: patient capital as a comparative advantage

The world economy needs a growth-lifting strategy, and infrastructure financing seems to hold the key. Based on the New Structural Economics (Lin, 2010; 2012) we discuss the heterogeneity of capital focusing on the long-term versus short-term orientation (STO). Traditional neoliberalism assumes that capital is homogenous, complete capital account liberalization is “beneficial”.However, previous studies have found evidence of long-term orientation (LTO) in the culture of many Asian economies (Hofstede, 1991). In this exploratory paper, we suggest that the LTO can be considered a special endowment which, under certain circumstances, can be developed into a comparative advantage (CA) in patient capital. If these countries can turn their latent CA into arevealed CA in patient capital, and develop the ability to “package” profitable and non-profitable projects in meaningful ways, they would have a “revealed” competitive advantage in infrastructure financing. The ability to “package” public infrastructure and private services is one of the key institutional factors for success in overseas cooperation.

Global Human Resource Development through Sport: The Expectations of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, The prospects of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

Global Human Resource Development through Sport: The Expectations of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, The prospects of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

Using AHP BOCR analysis for experiential business education and prioritisation of international opportunities

This article reports the use of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to teach BOCR, an important managerial skill, to graduate management students, using the principles of experiential learning and working on the prioritisation of actual university international cooperation projects in a liberal arts university. The University-Uganda initiatives propose overseas cooperation between the university, Bright Kids Uganda, and project to end human trafficking Uganda. Three graduate teams utilised the AHP methodology to evaluate and prioritise each of the proposed initiatives from the three different perspectives of the schools of nursing, education, and psychology. The purpose of this article is two-fold: first, to report on this educational experience, and suggest best practices and lessons learned and second, to report on the BOCR results which will undoubtedly be useful for any higher-education institution considering overseas cooperation initiatives.

Global Human Resource Development through Sport The Case Study of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (The Expectations of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers)

Global Human Resource Development through Sport The Case Study of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (The Expectations of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers)

青年海外協力隊による環境教育活動のあり方に関する一考察

A questionnaire aimed at improving the environmental education work of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) was distributed to 99 staff working in Meru National Park, Kenya. The results indicated the need for conservation education support in the park. Conservation education for people living in the area of the park has seen a number of challenges in terms of both quality and quantity due to staff irresponsibility, problem in the maintenance of fuel and vehicles, and poor collaboration between different departments. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the JOCV will need to work to improve the knowledge and awareness of locals about conservation and the relationship between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and locals by coordinating the supply of materials and revenues that are urgently needed by the KWS with the grassroots activity of the JOCV while winning the understanding of KWS staff.

青年海外協力隊栄養士の派遣形態（新規，交替）における困難な活動内容と改善策に関する検討

青年海外協力隊栄養士の派遣形態（新規，交替）における困難な活動内容と改善策に関する検討