Navigation System for Foreign Tourists in Japan

The present study aimed to design, develop, operate and evaluate a sightseeing navigation system in order to support foreign tourists＇ efficient acquisition of sightseeing spot information in Japanese urban tourist areas, about which a variety of information is transmitted, by enabling information to be accumulated, shared and recommended. The system was developed by integrating Web-GIS （Geographic Information Systems）, SNS （Social Networking Services） as well as the recommendation system into a single system. The system used the non-language information such as signs, marks and pictograms in addition to English information, and displayed sightseeing spot information and conduct navigation on 2D and 3D digital maps of the Web-GIS. Additionally, the system was operated for two weeks in the central part of Yokohama city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and the total number of users was 54. Based on the results of the web questionnaire survey, all of the specific functions are highly evaluated, and the usefulness of the system when sightseeing was excellent. From the results of the access analysis of users＇ log data, it is evident that it can be said that the system was mainly used before sightseeing and users confirm their favorite sightseeing spots and made their tour planning in advance, using 2D and 3D digital maps.

Comparison of Soil Fauna (Oribatids and Enchytraeids)Between Conventional and Organic (Tillage and No-Tillage Practices) Farming Crop Fields in Japan

The major soil animal groups, enchytraeid worms and oribatid mites, were compared in the abundance and diversity between conventional fields (CT) and organic farming fields with tillage (OT) or no-tillage (ON) practices. The values of abundance, species richness, diversity and evenness were significantly larger in OT and ON than in CT, indicating that the abundance and diversity in organic farming fields were greater than those in conventional farming. The community structure of enchytraeid genera was different between OT and ON. Enchytraeus was the most abundant in OT, while Fridericia in ON. The abundance of oribatids in OT was similar to that in ON, while the species richness and diversity in the former were smaller. These results suggested that no-tillage practice under organic management might contribute to the improvement in quality of soil mesofauna.

Characteristics of Tsunami Damage to the Tide Walls in Iwate Prefecture from the Great East Japan Earthquake

This research paper describes the tsunami damage to tide walls observed using aerial photographs and field investigations at 13 locations along the coast of Iwate Prefecture, where significant tsunami damage occurred as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake. This paper also summarizes the characteristics of the damage. The tide walls in Iwate Prefecture were constructed on a ria （hilly type） coast, this geographical feature of lwate being different from that of the other disaster areas, primarily Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures. The results of our investigations show that all the devastated tide walls suffered from overflow before being damaged. In particular, the sloping and vertical type tide walls with slope protection were damaged by scouring of the infill sand or back fill soil due to the overflow of the tsunami. In the case of vertical type tide walls without slope protection, damage was caused by scouring of the back fill soil.

How Do Investors Evaluate Business Continuity Management （BCM） Disclosures in Emergency Situations？ Evidence From the Great East Japan Earthquake

This study examines economic effects of business continuity management （BCM） disclosures through analyzing changes in shareholder returns in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The author examined differences in the recovery of share price between disclosing and non-disclosing corporations. The results show that the cumulative average abnormal returns （CAARs） of disclosing corporations recovered faster than non-disclosing corporations. Then, the author examined differences in the recovery of share price between developing and non-developing corporations. The results show that there is no statistically significant difference in the recovery of share price between developing and non-developing corporations. Finally, the author examined the differences of BCM between disclosing and non-disclosing corporations. The results suggest that BCM or business continuity plan （BCP） disclosing corporations have a broader coverage of the BCP, more appropriate procedures for responding to emergency situations, more effective training of the BCM, and more mature BCM systems than non-disclosing ones.

Seasonal Variability in the Kuroshio Extension Current System

Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its seasonal variability is investigated. The Kuroshio Meander south of Japan, the two lee-wave meanders in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension are properly presented. The path of the Kuroshio Meander, the position of the second (east) meander in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension display evident seasonal variation.

Groundwater Management under the Kabu-ido System in Noubi Plain, Japan, 1810s-1860s

The purpose of this paper is to clarify how the Kabu-ido system can be employed to successfully regulate groundwater pumping. This was accomplished by analyzing surviving historical documents, including budgetary notes and a diary. The Kabu-ido system was a customary institution for groundwater management in a ring levee area of the Noubi Plain in Japan that consisted of three programs： restriction of groundwater pumping through a permit system, groundwater pricing and economic compensation. The system was created in the 1810s and survived for 100 years. This paper covers the Kabu-ido system from the 1810s to the 1860s, the first half of the 100-year history. Excessive groundwater pumping is not a new environmental problem. Although many case studies have investigated remedial actions, few have investigated how local residents addressed the problem before the 20th century because of a lack of documents. The Kabu-ido system is an exception in which of the procedure was documented in writing. The historical data indicate that it was a pioneering institution for groundwater management.