Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been mar...Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been marginalised especially in developed countries. Local traditional varieties that are largely taken care of and nurtured by farmers' seed system have also been excluded from the formal seed system. Nowadays, however, it is quite common to see locally-sourced vegetables on supermarket shelves, while an increasing number of consumers visit farmers' market and become aware of local traditional vegetables available only through such channels. It is in this context that many local governments, public agricultural experimental stations and even private seed companies are becoming interested in the use and management of local traditional varieties of vegetables in Japan. The objective of this paper is to elucidate some characteristics of and factors behind the condition, potentiality and limitations of farmers' seed systems vis-a-vis the expected role of public experimental stations and locally-based seed companies, especially when it comes to the use and management of local traditional vegetables and their genetic resources in Japan. This paper is based on our case studies, in which we conducted in some interviews with relevant local actors in addition to literature and statistical surveys.展开更多
A massive earthquake occurred in the Tohoku and Kanto regions of Japan on the 1 lth of March 2011. In response, a tsunami alert, a tsunami warning and an advisory were issued for the entire Pacific coast region. This ...A massive earthquake occurred in the Tohoku and Kanto regions of Japan on the 1 lth of March 2011. In response, a tsunami alert, a tsunami warning and an advisory were issued for the entire Pacific coast region. This research investigates the evacuation behavior of ships by AIS (automatic identification system) data in Onahama port after the tsunami warning was issued. The unusual behavior observed was attributed to the emergency evacuation of ships. This research investigates the evacuation behaviors of the vessels using the data obtained from AIS, around the Onahama Port during alerting the major tsunami warning. The result shows that most vessels in the port started evacuating approximately 10 min after the major tsunami warning and completed offshore evacuation 40 min after this warning. This contributed in understanding the actual status of the vessel evacuation. In addition, the travel paths of each vessel revealed the influence of the tsunami on the vessels. Furthermore, the exceptional situation where several vessels moved in the same direction at the speed almost same for about 2 hours was confirmed. As a result, it can be estimated that the waves that affected both vessels were the drawback of the tsunamis.展开更多
Relationship between volcanic activity and vegetation change with special reference to chemical environmental change in soil by volcanic activity has been investigated in Tadewara mire in the Aso-Kujyu volcano area, s...Relationship between volcanic activity and vegetation change with special reference to chemical environmental change in soil by volcanic activity has been investigated in Tadewara mire in the Aso-Kujyu volcano area, south western Japan. A core of 420.0 cm depth was collected for peat forming plants analysis and chemical analysis. A distinct peak of sulfur content in peat core was found at the depth of 105.0-115.0 cm. Chronological changes of dominant species within the peat forming plants community showed both progressive and retrogressive successions. Vegetation change of Tadewara mire within recent 1000 years showed retrogressive succession from Sphagnum community to Moliniopsis and Phragmites communities after the sulfur compound deposition, whereas vegetation showed progressive succession after the deposition of sulfur became smaller. Enrichment of sulfur in sediment core appeared over the water impermeable layer with clay texture on volcanic ash horizon, and then vegetation change could be induced by the paludification caused by the clay layer. Deposition of volcanic ash layer and the following formation of water impermeable layer were dated at 970 + 40 yBP by 14C dating data, and it corresponded to the eruption of Mount Kurotake recorded at 980 + 30 yBP. Retrogressive succession can be the result of hydrological change rather than direct chemical changes in soil.展开更多
This study investigates the extent of the influence of imported fishmeal price changes on the market price of pisciculture products. To date, there have been only a few insufficient researches on this topic in Japan. ...This study investigates the extent of the influence of imported fishmeal price changes on the market price of pisciculture products. To date, there have been only a few insufficient researches on this topic in Japan. This paper aims to reveal the causality relationship between the market price of imported fishmeal and the market price of pisciculture products using the granger causality test, and to simulate the market price of pisciculture products using impulse response functions as the price of imported fishmeal increases. The results of the granger causality test and impulse response function analyses were as follows: (1) there is a market linkage from the price of imported fishmeal to the market price of sea bream, but no causality with the market price yellowtail; and (2) this has a positive impact on the market price of sea bream when the price of imported fishmeal changes. Moreover, spillover effects were noticed in this simple scenario (at a market price of 800 yen/kg and one unit shock of 1 yen) of about 3 yen/kg.展开更多
In this study, we looked at a method quantifying EEC (embodied energy and CO2) and the effect when we prolonged the building life time particularly through the durable improvement of the structure. Increasing the co...In this study, we looked at a method quantifying EEC (embodied energy and CO2) and the effect when we prolonged the building life time particularly through the durable improvement of the structure. Increasing the covering thickness of concrete for reinforcing bars and the earthquake-resistant strength are methods to increase the durability of the structure. The calculation method to obtain the quantity of concrete and reinforcing bars is provided. The EEC increase is evaluated from the 2005 input-output table in Japan. These results show that EE (embodied energy) in the construction phase is increased by 11% to 20% and EC (embodied CO2) 17% to 32%. However, annual EE is reduced 66% to 72% and EC 70% to 79%,展开更多
文摘Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been marginalised especially in developed countries. Local traditional varieties that are largely taken care of and nurtured by farmers' seed system have also been excluded from the formal seed system. Nowadays, however, it is quite common to see locally-sourced vegetables on supermarket shelves, while an increasing number of consumers visit farmers' market and become aware of local traditional vegetables available only through such channels. It is in this context that many local governments, public agricultural experimental stations and even private seed companies are becoming interested in the use and management of local traditional varieties of vegetables in Japan. The objective of this paper is to elucidate some characteristics of and factors behind the condition, potentiality and limitations of farmers' seed systems vis-a-vis the expected role of public experimental stations and locally-based seed companies, especially when it comes to the use and management of local traditional vegetables and their genetic resources in Japan. This paper is based on our case studies, in which we conducted in some interviews with relevant local actors in addition to literature and statistical surveys.
文摘A massive earthquake occurred in the Tohoku and Kanto regions of Japan on the 1 lth of March 2011. In response, a tsunami alert, a tsunami warning and an advisory were issued for the entire Pacific coast region. This research investigates the evacuation behavior of ships by AIS (automatic identification system) data in Onahama port after the tsunami warning was issued. The unusual behavior observed was attributed to the emergency evacuation of ships. This research investigates the evacuation behaviors of the vessels using the data obtained from AIS, around the Onahama Port during alerting the major tsunami warning. The result shows that most vessels in the port started evacuating approximately 10 min after the major tsunami warning and completed offshore evacuation 40 min after this warning. This contributed in understanding the actual status of the vessel evacuation. In addition, the travel paths of each vessel revealed the influence of the tsunami on the vessels. Furthermore, the exceptional situation where several vessels moved in the same direction at the speed almost same for about 2 hours was confirmed. As a result, it can be estimated that the waves that affected both vessels were the drawback of the tsunamis.
文摘Relationship between volcanic activity and vegetation change with special reference to chemical environmental change in soil by volcanic activity has been investigated in Tadewara mire in the Aso-Kujyu volcano area, south western Japan. A core of 420.0 cm depth was collected for peat forming plants analysis and chemical analysis. A distinct peak of sulfur content in peat core was found at the depth of 105.0-115.0 cm. Chronological changes of dominant species within the peat forming plants community showed both progressive and retrogressive successions. Vegetation change of Tadewara mire within recent 1000 years showed retrogressive succession from Sphagnum community to Moliniopsis and Phragmites communities after the sulfur compound deposition, whereas vegetation showed progressive succession after the deposition of sulfur became smaller. Enrichment of sulfur in sediment core appeared over the water impermeable layer with clay texture on volcanic ash horizon, and then vegetation change could be induced by the paludification caused by the clay layer. Deposition of volcanic ash layer and the following formation of water impermeable layer were dated at 970 + 40 yBP by 14C dating data, and it corresponded to the eruption of Mount Kurotake recorded at 980 + 30 yBP. Retrogressive succession can be the result of hydrological change rather than direct chemical changes in soil.
文摘This study investigates the extent of the influence of imported fishmeal price changes on the market price of pisciculture products. To date, there have been only a few insufficient researches on this topic in Japan. This paper aims to reveal the causality relationship between the market price of imported fishmeal and the market price of pisciculture products using the granger causality test, and to simulate the market price of pisciculture products using impulse response functions as the price of imported fishmeal increases. The results of the granger causality test and impulse response function analyses were as follows: (1) there is a market linkage from the price of imported fishmeal to the market price of sea bream, but no causality with the market price yellowtail; and (2) this has a positive impact on the market price of sea bream when the price of imported fishmeal changes. Moreover, spillover effects were noticed in this simple scenario (at a market price of 800 yen/kg and one unit shock of 1 yen) of about 3 yen/kg.
文摘In this study, we looked at a method quantifying EEC (embodied energy and CO2) and the effect when we prolonged the building life time particularly through the durable improvement of the structure. Increasing the covering thickness of concrete for reinforcing bars and the earthquake-resistant strength are methods to increase the durability of the structure. The calculation method to obtain the quantity of concrete and reinforcing bars is provided. The EEC increase is evaluated from the 2005 input-output table in Japan. These results show that EE (embodied energy) in the construction phase is increased by 11% to 20% and EC (embodied CO2) 17% to 32%. However, annual EE is reduced 66% to 72% and EC 70% to 79%,