Financial literacy,behavioral traits,and ePayment adoption and usage in Japan

This study investigates how financial literacy and behavioral traits affect the adoption of electronic payment(ePayment)services in Japan.We construct a financial literacy index using a representative sample of 25,000 individuals from the Bank of Japan’s 2019 Financial Literacy Survey.We then analyze the relationship between this index and the extensive and intensive usage of two types of payment services:electronic money(e-money)and mobile payment apps.Using an instrumental variable approach,we find that higher financial literacy is positively associated with a higher likelihood of adopting ePayment services.The empirical results suggest that individuals with higher financial literacy use payment services more frequently.We also find that risk-averse people are less likely to adopt and use ePayment services,whereas people with herd behavior tend to adopt and use ePayment services more.Our empirical results also suggest that the effects of financial literacy on the adoption and use of ePayment differ among people with different behavioral traits.

Pro-Environmental Civic Participation in the USA: The Effects of Social Media, Pro-Environmental Lifestyle and Climate Experiences

This study addresses the link between social media use and pro-environmental civic participation considering the moderating effect of social media affordances (public realm) on one hand, and lifestyle behaviors and climate change experiences (personal realm) on the other. We combine communication theory and behavioral models and using a sample of USA individuals (N = 7225) based on the American Trends Panel to predict variations in pro-environmental behavior. We show that social networks rather than information are more effective in predicting pro-environmental behavior. Moreover, a pro-environmental lifestyle as well as climate change experiences at the community level increase the likelihood for pro-environmental participation. However, affordances related to socioeconomic variations generate variations to pro-environmental civic participation. We conclude that in order to capture the depth of pro-environmental civic participation, it is necessary to theoretically and empirically bridge between private and public expressions of pro-environmental awareness.

Japan’s Quasi-Alliance Strategy:Motivations,Practices and Constraints

The quasi-alliance strategy is part of the national security strategy and lies in the grey area between alliance and neutrality.1 In recent years,major countries,including Japan,have positioned quasi-alliance as a feasible unwritten option in their respective national security strategies.2 Japan’s quasialliance strategy was already in its infancy when former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe first came to power in September 2006 but was put on hold after his resignation in September 2007.

New Trends in Japan's“Indo-Pacific”Strategy

Introduced by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and inherited and developed by Fumio Kishida,Japan's“Indo–Pacific”strategy has gradually taken shape.This strategy can be deemed a broad vision,covering a wide range of topics and an extensive network of partners,with a strong trend of pan-securitization.It is a comprehensive inter national st rateg y based on Japan's alliance policy and China containment strategy,following a global,security-oriented approach.Driven by considerations such as maintaining its economic status,realizing its long-cherished dream of becoming a political powerhouse,and containing China,Japan has stepped up its“Indo–Pacific”strategy,which may influence global development,undermine regional maritime security,and impede China's reunification process.Meanwhile,Japan's“Indo–Pacific”strategy faces the triple challenge of a strategic overdraft,the unstable economic foundations,and the weak external support.These constraints may not suffice to reverse the direction of Japan's“Indo–Pacific”strategy in the short term but will limit its effectiveness.

Comparison on the Origin and Development of Sophora flavescens in China and Japan

Sophora flavescens , which was first recorded in Shen Nong s Herbal Classic , has the functions of clearing away heat, drying dampness, killing parasites and promoting urination. In its long-term application, traditional Chinese medicine has gradually deepened its understanding of the origin and efficacy of S. flavescens . In order to explore changes in the origin and efficacy of traditional Chinese herb S. flavescens in the history of China and Japan, in this paper, the origin and development of S. flavescens in China and Japan were compared from three aspects: the origin, medicinal efficacy, and processing methods of S. flavescens in China and Japan, hoping to provide clear understanding of the medicinal plant S. flavescens .

Vice-President Liu Hongcai Meets Kamada Takeaki, President of the JCI Japan-China Friendship Association

On December 4th,CAFIU Vice-President Liu Hongcai met Mr.Kamada Takeaki,President of the JCI Japan-China Friendship Association(JCFA),to exchange views on China-Japan people-topeople and youth exchanges.Vice-President Liu Hongcai said that JCFA has long been committed to promoting China-Japan youth exchanges and has played a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding between the Chinese and Japanese youths.

China-Japan-ROK Cooperation Embarks on a New Journey

On May 27,China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting was held in Seoul after a hiatus of more than four years.Li Qiang,Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China,Yoon Suk Yeol,President of the ROK,and Fumio Kishida,Prime Minister of Japan,attended and addressed the Summit.

Global Warming in Japanese Cities from 1960 to 2019 Using Machine Learning

In this study, we investigated the variations in warming between Japanese cities for 1960-1989, and 1990-2019 using principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering. The precipitation and sunshine hours exhibited opposite tendencies in the PCA results. It was found that 1960M and 1990M had a correlation (r = 0.51). The 1960M and 1990M are the mean temperature anomalies in Japanese cities for 1960-1989 and 1990-2019, respectively. There was a strong correlation between temperature and precipitation (r = 0.62). There was an inverse correlation between 1960M and sunshine hours (r = −0.25), but a correlation between 1990M and sunshine hours (r = 0.11). Sunshine hours had less effect on the 1960M but more impact on the 1990M. The k-means clustering for 1960M and 1990M can be classified into four types: high 1960M and high 1990M, which indicates that global warming is progressing rapidly (Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagasaki), low 1960M and low 1990M, global warming is progressing slowly (Nemuro, Ishinomaki, Yamagata, Niigata, Fushiki, Nagano, Karuizawa, Mito, Suwa, Iida, Hamada, Miyazaki, Naha), low 1960M and high 1990M, global warming has accelerated since 1990 (Utsunomiya, Kofu, Okayama, Hiroshima), and normal 1960M and normal 1990M, the rate of warming is normal among the 38 cities (Asahikawa, Aomori, Akita, Kanazawa, Maebashi, Matsumoto, Yokohama, Gifu, Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Kochi, Kagoshima). Higher annual temperatures were correlated with higher annual precipitation according to the k-means clustering of temperature and precipitation. Two of the four categories consisted of places with high annual temperatures and high precipitation (Fushiki, Kanazawa, Kochi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Naha, Ishigakijima), and places with low annual temperatures and low precipitation (Asahikawa, Nemuro, Sapporo, Karuizawa).

Causal relationships between physical, mental and social health-related factors among the Japanese elderly: A chronological study

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of physical, mental and social well being. This study was conducted to explore chronological relationships between physical, mental and social factors. Among urban-dwelling elderly aged 65 years and over, data were collected via a self-report questionnaire in 2001 and 2004. The three health-related latent factors were identified with nine measurement variables by an exploratory factor analysis. A structural equation modeling method was used to analyze underlying relationships among the three factors with a cross-lagged model and a synchronous model. A total of 7,683 individuals aged between 65 and 84 years were analyzed. The three-year prior and current physical health significantly affected social health as well as mental health, and this effect appeared to be stronger in males compared to females. Maintenance of physical health may be crucial to support mental and social health among elderly individuals.

Correlation analysis and causality test between Ludong-Huanghai block and South Japan

In this paper, we make a comparative analysis and correlation test for the seismic activities in the South Japan and the Ludong-Huanghai block （a secondary tectonic unit in the North China） and approach the relationship between the energy release processes of these two areas by using co-integration analysis and Granger causality test for the time series of random variables. The results show that the seismic activities in these two areas are correlative and synchronous to a certain extent, and their release series of cumulative strain energy are contemporaneously correlative. Both energy series are first-order difference stationary processes and there is secular and steady co-integration between them. We make a positive analysis on the first-order difference energy series through Granger causality test based on vector error correction （VEC） model and find there is unilateral Granger causality and prominent co-integration between the two energy release processes.

Causal relationships between survival rates, dietary and lifestyle habits, socioeconomic status and physical, mental and social health in elderly urban dwellers in Japan: A chronological study

Life expectancy was well known to associate with lifestyle habits, socioeconomic condition, and three health-related dimensions (physical, mental and social health status). However, the causal effect relationship among these variables remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationships among health and life conditions, socioeconomic status, dietary and lifestyle habits and three health-related dimensions in elderly urban dwellers in Tokyo, Japan. Of 16,462 eligible elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, 13,195 participants responded to the questionnaire survey conducted in September 2001 (a response rate of 80.2%). A follow-up survey was conducted in September 2004 and a total of 8162 survivors were followed until the end of August 2007 through the municipal resident's registry. Exploratory factor analysis defined five latent variables based on the 13 observed variables. From a cross-lagged effects variation model using structural equation modeling, causal relationships were analyzed using longitudinal data obtained at the 2001 and 2004 survey and the number of survival days between 2004 and 2007. After estimating a best-fit model, we discovered that health and life conditions were not determined by current dietary and lifestyle habits, which many studies showed. However, the conditions were more directly affected by three health-related dimensions three years earlier, and indirectly affected by educational attainment and previous annual income as well. The current model suggests that it might be of great importance for elderly individuals to emphasize the maintenance of psychological well being, physical activity, social communication and participation, as well as income, rather than focusing on improvements in diet and health-related lifestyles per se.

Analysis of Economic Cooperation between China, USA, Japan, and ASEAN

Since China’s Belt and Road Initiative was introduced,the rapid development of China–ASEAN economic cooperation has aroused suspicion from the United States and Japan,nations that have been cooperating with Southeast Asia for a long time.Through comparative analysis,this paper draws a conclusion that the cooperation between China and ASEAN has rapidly grown in trade volume,tourism,infrastructure construction,and other fields,but its advantages in some fields are not yet apparent,and there is no evidence of crowding out the United States and Japan overall.The United States and Japan have been adjusting policies toward ASEAN in a targeted manner,while ASEAN countries do not completely depend on China,establishing a balance in foreign economic cooperation between great powers.Therefore,the economic cooperation between China,the United States,Japan,and ASEAN is experiencing a dynamic adjustment process in long-term competition that is unlikely to lead to exclusive monopoly circumstances.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Associated Factors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Mental health difficulties can impact students’motivation,focus,and ability to communicate with others.Students attending medical universities are more likely to experience anxiety,depression,and other mood changes for thefirst time.However,no study has examined their prevalence among Japanese rehabilitation students.This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety among Japanese rehabilitation students and aimed to identify its predictors.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 148first-year physical and occupational therapy students at a private medical university in Japan in June 2022.Data on sociodemographic and personal characteristics,such as gender,age,subject major,regular exercise,place of residence,and sleeping hours,were recorded using an original questionnaire.Instruments included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory,COVID-19 questionnaire,and Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition(BDI-II).The results indicated that 83(56%)and 77(52%)students exhibited state anxiety and trait anxiety symptoms,respectively.Thirty-four(23%)students experienced mild depressive symptoms.Associations were further determined between gender,subject major,handling of stress,loneliness,satisfaction with life,satisfaction with social connections,anxiety about the future,satisfaction with school life,fulfillment of friendships,and depression.Several variables demonstrated a statistically significant association:handling stress(p<0.05;95%CI 0.409–2.472),satisfaction with life(p<0.01;95%CI 0.500–0.897),anxiety about the future(p<0.01;95%CI 1.397–4.087),and depression(total score of BDI-II,p<0.01;95%CI 1.555–100.742).Our results emphasize that universities must establish a system for early identification and support of anxiety and depression in students.

Biomanufacturing in Japan:frontier research from 2018 to 2023

Biomanufacturing(BM)is a multidisciplinary area incorporating the characteristics of living organisms and engineering principles to create valuable products for various sectors,including medicine,energy,and the environment.BM has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last two decades,entering the era of BM4.0 and becoming a pivotal driver of the sustainable revolution.Notably,Japan has made significant advances in BM,contributing to its development through the creation of innovative materials,advanced processes,and interdisciplinary applications.However,because of certain development policies,this research has not been widely recognized on an international level.This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the research progress made by renowned Japanese laboratories and researchers in biomedical materials,bio-three-dimensional(3D)printing,and biomedical applications in the last five years.Their unique contributions are introduced and analyzed,illuminating the distinctive approaches and breakthroughs within each domain.Additionally,this review highlights the current challenges and prospects of BM.The viewpoints presented in this paper are intended to serve as a valuable reference for scholars studying BM in Japan.

Development Thoughts on Promoting China's Tea Export——Analysis Based on the Experience of India and Japan

Ranking the first in tea production and sales globally,China occupies a decisive position in the global tea market.However,China’s tea export still faces problems such as low average export price,few international brands,single export market,and weak ability of market entities to deal with technical barriers to trade.Therefore,the analysis and summary of promotion measures for tea export taken by India and Japan is of great significance to the formulation of China’s tea export promotion policies.

Vice-President Liu Hongcai Meets Takami Kunio,Deputy Representative of GEN,Japan

On August 2nd,Vice-President Liu Hongcai met Takami Kunio,Deputy Representative of the Green Earth Network,Japan.The two sides exchanged views on China-Japan relations and people-to-topeople exchanges.

THE SEA IS NOT A SEWER ASEAN countries protested the release of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water as Japan completed its first round of ocean dumping

A total of 7,788 tons of treated radioactive water had been discharged into the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s wrecked Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant by September 11 in the first round of disposal as planned,said the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company(TEPCO),according to Japanese daily newspaper Sankei Shimbun.The second round of discharge scheduled for early October will release some 7,800 tons of nuclear-contaminated water.

Current Implementation and Experience of Natural Farming in Japan

The natural farming in Japan mainly includes Mokich Okadas natural farming theory and Masanobu Fukuokas natural farming theory in terms of genre.Natural farming was proposed and implemented to deal with the anabatic soil degradation and food safety problems.Among themꎬMokich Okadas natural farming theory advocates the restoration of the agricultural tradition of the past and combination with modern agricultural science and technologyꎻMasanobu Fukuokas natural farming theory advocates a complete return to natural and traditional farming and puts forward a set of green agricultural cultivation methods focusing on injurious insect control with beneficial insectꎬweed control with green herbaceous plantsꎬsoil reclamation with grassꎬnontoxic and cost￣reducing method based on the Japanese ancient agricultural books.Their natural farming theories have been widely popularized and applied in Japanꎬand its successful experience is worthy of study and reference for China.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

The Debate on Democratic Revolution in Japan in the 1920s

Anti-hegemonic movements in Japan had occurred frequently since the early 20th century,and democratic revolution debate in the 1920s was the first significant domestic debate on future development strategy.Various discussions on it from Japanese academia involved state power,absolutism,agrarian revolution,and revolutionary strategy,etc.An analysis of early Japanese scholars’perspectives on the democratic revolution helps to know about the social milieu in Japan at that time,and is of positive significance to comprehend the development process of the current Japanese democratic revolution.