The nuclear disaster at Fukushima has raised questions about the nature of democratic policymaking in Japan. Focusing on nuclear policymaking post-Fukushima, this paper considers ways in which the diversity of public ...The nuclear disaster at Fukushima has raised questions about the nature of democratic policymaking in Japan. Focusing on nuclear policymaking post-Fukushima, this paper considers ways in which the diversity of public opinion can be connected with legislative processes. The disaster forced the government to rethink existing nuclear policies. To infuse public voices into government policy, the Democratic Party of Japan （DPJ） government introduced a new method of public participation called ＂national debates＂, comprising a series of public hearings, mass public comments, and deliberative polling. The government also attached importance to anti-nuclear rallies and opinion polls conducted by the media. The national debates highlighted that the majority of Japanese people supported a nuclear-free society; as a result, the government drafted a new energy plan to phase out nuclear power by 2039. Owing to both domestic and international opposition, the plan failed to become law. Progress was also impeded by the public＇s contradictory demands. However, this paper posits that inefficient legislative deliberation was the main factor behind the policy failure. The Japanese case suggests that effective legislative deliberation is crucial to assessing and coordinating numerous divergent public voices.展开更多
Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide and in the local community. Due to the aging population and changes in lifestyle of the citizens, it is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase. In ...Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide and in the local community. Due to the aging population and changes in lifestyle of the citizens, it is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, about 30% of cancer death can be prevented. The fight against cancer relies on support from the government, together with collaborations with the policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. Legislation can act as a tool for cancer prevention. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the global cancer burden and to describe how cancer legislation acts as a tool for cancer prevention in the Hong Kong region.展开更多
文摘The nuclear disaster at Fukushima has raised questions about the nature of democratic policymaking in Japan. Focusing on nuclear policymaking post-Fukushima, this paper considers ways in which the diversity of public opinion can be connected with legislative processes. The disaster forced the government to rethink existing nuclear policies. To infuse public voices into government policy, the Democratic Party of Japan （DPJ） government introduced a new method of public participation called ＂national debates＂, comprising a series of public hearings, mass public comments, and deliberative polling. The government also attached importance to anti-nuclear rallies and opinion polls conducted by the media. The national debates highlighted that the majority of Japanese people supported a nuclear-free society; as a result, the government drafted a new energy plan to phase out nuclear power by 2039. Owing to both domestic and international opposition, the plan failed to become law. Progress was also impeded by the public＇s contradictory demands. However, this paper posits that inefficient legislative deliberation was the main factor behind the policy failure. The Japanese case suggests that effective legislative deliberation is crucial to assessing and coordinating numerous divergent public voices.
文摘Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide and in the local community. Due to the aging population and changes in lifestyle of the citizens, it is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, about 30% of cancer death can be prevented. The fight against cancer relies on support from the government, together with collaborations with the policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. Legislation can act as a tool for cancer prevention. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the global cancer burden and to describe how cancer legislation acts as a tool for cancer prevention in the Hong Kong region.
