Participatory approach in vision setting: emerging initiatives in local municipalities in Japan

In this paper, we present the emerging practices in Japanese local municipalities, in which participatory methods are applied to envision sustainable future and relevant target settings. We selected three local cases: Higashiomi city, Kizugawa city and Nagakute city as emerging initiatives. A comparative analysis was carried out to identify commonalities and differences, and to derive lessons for appropriate governance and systems for participatory deliberation in future visioning. We argue that the deliberation processes served as a platform for effective communication, and that installing a mechanism that allows reflexive deliberation processes is the key to make participatory methods fully functional.     

Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes

Sun-blocking agents including eight UV filters (UVF) and 10 UV light stabilizers (UVLS) were measured in water and sediment collected from 22 rivers, four sewage treatment plant effluents (STPE) and three lakes in Japan. Total sun blocking agents levels ranged from N.D. to 4928 ng/L and from 2.0 to 3422 μg/kg dry wt in surface water and in sediment, respectively. Benzyl salicylate, benzophenone-3, 2-ethyl hexyl-4-methoxycinnamte (EHMC) and octyl salicylate were dominant in surface water receiving wastewater effluents and STPE, although UV-328, benzophenone and EHMC were dominant in other surface water except background sites. Three UVF and nine UVLS were observed from all sediment and their compositions showed similar patterns with UV-328 and UV-234 as the most prevalent compounds. Homosalate, octocrylene, UV-326, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-234 were significantly correlated with Galaxolide^® in sediments. Concentrations of UV-327 and UV-328 also had strong correlation between those of UV-326 in sediment.     

Educational initiative of Osaka University in sustainability science: mobilizing science and technology towards sustainability

One of the most important and yet difficult challenges that modern societies face is how to mobilize science and technology (S&T) to minimize the impact of human activities on the Earth’s life support systems. As the establishment of inter-disciplinary education programs is necessary to design a unified vision towards understanding the complexity of human nature, the Research Institute for Sustainability Science (RISS) launched a new program on sustainability science in April 2008. The program expects to address the issue of how to use knowledge more effectively to understand the dynamic interactions between nature and human society. This paper first offers an overview of international and Japanese initiatives on sustainability education in which we highlight the uniqueness of the attempt by the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S). The paper then introduces the RISS program for sustainability science, addressing the principles and curriculum design of the program. The paper discusses the main problems and constraints faced when developing the program, such as institutional barriers in building a curriculum and obtaining cooperation from faculty. To challenge these barriers and limitations, the RISS uses the program as a platform to disseminate the idea of sustainability science across the university. This attempt helps us to obtain the continuing cooperation necessary to improve and maintain the program.

Distribution flow of used motorcycles exported from Japan

This study focuses on used motorcycles (UMCs) that are exported from Japan, observes identifiable characteristics of each destination country's UMC exports, and categorizes their distribution flows. Based on the findings from precedent research, results from compiled data of trade statistics, and field surveys, this study reveals the following characteristics. (1) UMCs are continuously exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but the export numbers fluctuate yearly. The UAE also exports large numbers of UMCs with low displacements and UMCs from all statistical categories except for “other.” (2) The number of UMCs exports to Cambodia has been increasing since 2011. In addition, changes in exports from 51 to 250 cc to low displacements of 50 cc and less are identified. Cambodia also exported UMCs from all statistical categories except “other.” (3) The number of UMCs exports to Myanmar has been increasing since 2015, and the primary units exported exhibit “electric motor propulsion as a motor driving force.” (4) Country trade features are identified and UAE is designated as a “transit trade type” and both Cambodia and Myanmar as “domestic distribution types.”

     

Motorcycle recycling flow and end-of-life motorcycles in Japan

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This study compiled the number of End-of-Life motorcycles (ELMCs), utilizing Japanese official motorcycle data to clarify “the...