GISPRI - Global Industrial and Social Progress Research Institute

A way of education and human resource development in global competition age

Human resource used to be the "only resource" in Japan, but the level of education in Japan has rapidly deteriorated, and Japan is about to lose its "only resources." In the recent situations of highly advanced technology and globalization, it is necessary for this country to provide education better than other countries, and regain its "educational ability" as soon as possible.
The report of this research committee described the current situation on the reduction of students' learning ability mainly in the mathematics and natural science subjects seen in Japanese universities and colleges, and warned on the loss of abilities for "logical thinking" and "motivation to learn."
The main factors for the deterioration of learning abilities are: significant decreases in the number of school hours on major subjects in elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools, due to "educational restructuring" implemented since the revision of lesson guidance manual in 1982; and reduction in the number of college entrance examination subjects.
In order to improve education in Japan, the committee proposed the following six items:

(1) Focus on the education in mathematics, in order to develop logical thinking ability
(2) Implement smaller classes (about 20 students per teacher) in order to nurture self-thinking ability and to enhance deeper human relationships.
(3) Discourage further decrease in the number of college entrance examination subjects.
(4) Cancel further 30% reduction in the contents and class hours of education from 2002 proposed by the new lesson guidance manual.
(5) Recognize the entrance examination center tests as the tests to qualify for college entrances.
Start the education in conversational English from the first to third graders in elementary schools.

Educn.pdf

The harmonization between environmental conservation and growth

Their report summary was as follows:

Chapter 1

What was decided in the Kyoto Protocol?
Mr. Tsutomu Toichi (Director, Japan Institute on Energy and Economics) proposed the use of market-oriented instruments for Japan to comply with the target set in the Kyoto Protocol.

Chapter 2

Discussion on Kyoto Mechanisms
Prof. Mitsutsune Yamaguchi (Economics Professor, Keio University) clarified various discussions in the recent international negotiation on Kyoto Mechanisms (such as supplementarity, responsibility, baseline, etc.) Regarding the supplementarity issue, Prof. Tatsuyoshi Saijo (Professor at the Socio-Economic Research Institute of Osaka University) analyzed in economic theory that the supplementarity could be defined as the one to promote national emission reduction in each country and to have a role to control the issue of "hot air." Prof. Kazuharu Kiyono (Professor of Politics and Economics College of Waseda University) also made economic theory analysis on the effects of international emission trading market on international trade and industrial structure.

Chapter 3

Issues of designing systems for global warming mitigation
Prof. Koutarou Suzumura (Professor of Economic Research Institute, Hitotsubashi University) and Prof. Hirokazu Tadenuma (Economics Professors, Hitotsubashi University) discussed the global warming issues as the issue of inter-generational welfare distribution for extra long term. Prof. Yoshitsugu Kanemoto (Economics Research Professor at the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo) discussed the possibility of carbon tax introduction as a global warming mitigation measure in the transport sector of Japan. Prof. Masahiro Kuroda (Professor of Commerce Faculty, Keio University) proposed from the result of simulation analysis using general equilibrium model an actual system design for national measures in Japan to introduce carbon tax and emission trading.

Chapter 4

Direction of Technological Development
Prof. Kenji Yamaji (Professor at the Engineering Research Institute, Graduate College, the University of Tokyo) assessed various global warming mitigation technologies and suggested the need to combine multiple number of measures from long-term and global prospects, including energy savings, utilization of various natural renewable energies, nuclear power, and CO2 recovery and processing technologies.

Final Section

How to address global warming mitigation
Prof. Masahiro Okuno (Economics Professor at the University of Tokyo) summarized the research works and pointed out that the global environmental issues are the question of fundamentals in economics and not the issues of externality or public resources.

International cooperation on environment and development for China

The China Council established by the Chinese Government in April of 1992 is a high-level council organization and aims to support China in resolving various environmental and development issues through international cooperation. GISPRI has contributed, along with the dispatching of experts to its plenary sessions, to its Working Group activities through the dispatching of experts to the Cleaner Production Working Group under its eight Working Groups and one Task Force. In particular, the Committee conducted a survey and study on the policies and legal systems related to "sustainable development" and "environmental conservation" in Tai Yuan City of Xiang Xien Province. Based on the research result, GISPRI held a Workshop and the Working Group meeting in September of 1999.
The plenary meeting (held once a year) of October, 1999, in Beijing indicated the issues to be addressed under the 10th five-year plan of Chinese Government, and discussed the project proposals including those to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. After council member discussion, the final proposal was adopted and reported the policy proposals for the Chinese Government (Prime Minister). New themes selected for the year 2000 included the nurturing of national environmental conservation industry, and the Council planned to conduct a survey and study on the forestry and grassland preservation during the Big Development Program of Western China, in response to the Chinese Government's announcement on regional development programs for Western China.
As mentioned above, the China Council is considered as an institute providing the best opportunity to grasp a fundamental policy and ongoing measures of the Chinese Government for the sustainable development and environmental protection.
Furthermore, China Council may offer benefits in developing environmental cooperation with China for the future and in providing new business opportunities for private entities, by utilizing information earned through its plenary meeting, and a series of meetings such as Working Group meetings. The Japanese side efforts to support the China Council activities receive high evaluation by Chinese side and the continuance of intellectual and financial contribution for their activities are anticipated.

Re-Examination of Globalization and Global-Governance

The concept of global governance is more comprehensive than the concept of international regimes. Human rights and democracy are seen as major values/goals for people in the global governance system. The decentralized structure is another characteristics of the global governance system.

The term global governance had become very popular in the 1990s for the following reasons.
First, the end of Cold War demanded a creation of a new world order.
Second, American scholars of international relations were asked to propose a theory which legitimate the American-led world order.
Third, the globalization of economy demanded a new political order which would deal with the problems caused by globalization.

Major issues discussed in the meeting were as follows.
First, what is the relationship between globalization and global governance?
The global governance system is generally seen as a system to deal with global market failures and externalities.
At the same time, the global governance system may work as a market-friendly system; the global governance provides rules for stimulating the market mechanism.

Second, what is the American strategy in creating and managing the global governance system? The US did not insist on the necessity of global governance system in the issue-area where the US is at an advantage.
However, the US demanded a formulation of the global governance system where the US failed to establish a set of rules by the market mechanism.

Third, is the concept of global governance effective in analyzing the real situation of globalization?
We concluded that it depends on the externality, the variety of actors, and the complexity of individual issue-areas.

GlobGov.pdf

Project to promote international cooperation for global environment / Research on the assessment of climate change effects

The subject of this research work was consigned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set three Working Groups for the integration of the Third Assessment Report (to be completed in 2001).
GISPRI is supporting the preparation of the Third Assessment Report through the cooperation to the Working Group 3 for energy policies and technological development.
The purpose of this survey for the fiscal 1999 was to assess the climate change mitigation policies from the viewpoints of science and technology, environment, and socio-economics.

The survey was conducted by:

(1) Reviewing the cost assessment methodologies to evaluate various measures and technologies for global warming mitigation.

(2) Analyzing and surveying tasks and resolutions to further promote technology transfers worldwide.

(3) Examining actual policy options as the policies and measures to prevent global warming.

The results were as follows:

(1) Development of cost-analysis methodologies

The cost analysis of technologies and options for global warming mitigation requires scientific methodology that is common in the world. Because of this, the studies on cost assessment methods, global warming control, and other benefits were conducted.
Important elements of cost assessment are baselines and the external effects of climate change. To assess externalities, various methods were developed and utilized but the cost assessment of climate change mitigation measures embrace large uncertainties and it is also important to classify the level of these uncertainties.

(2) Tasks and resolutions for technology transfer issues

In order to promote technology transfers, which have not been functioned to the expected level, we analyzed its tasks and reviewed possible solutions.
The conclusion was that the transfer of so-called "environmentally suitable technologies (EST) would be valuable and significant in creating an favorable environment for technology transfers, and present a possibility of dissemination in host countries. The promotion of such transfers, however, has been hampered by the risks involved (such as distorted incentives, insufficient legal protection, inappropriate regulations, etc.). Therefore, the governments need to consider increasing the demand for ESTs through technology development promotion, cost decrease, and the reduction of commercial risks.

(3) Assessment of various policy options

We reviewed actual policy options as the policies and measures for global warming mitigation.
The result showed that it would be more practical to develop a portfolio of policies and measures in order to address multiple policy objectives. So that, it would be necessary to determine various policy objectives and to properly combine various policies and measures in order to fulfill such objectives. For this, it would be essential to fully grasp "characteristics" of each policy and measure in a "real world."
In this survey, we studied various issues of carbon tax and emission trading as the economic instruments for national policies and measures.

Thinking Japan in Asia(Phase 2)

In this research, the committee confirmed the regional order of "East Asia," ranging from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, coastal provinces of China, and South East Asia, and Japan's position in such an order, in view of the progress of regionalization in World governance, symbolized by the formation of EU, NAFTA, and MERCOSUR. The Committee further discussed the future direction and strategy for Japan. The fundamental postures of Japan should be: (1) to consider Japan in Asia, while viewing Japan in the world; (2) to consider Japan's national interests as the first priority, but contemplate on "the harmonized co-existence in Asia" and ensure common benefits between Japan and other countries in the region to aim for mutual coexistence and prosperity on equal terms; and (3) it is possible and preferable for Japan to promote development of regional countries by leading the way in economics and technologies, as it is extremely important for the region to have some leaders, though not necessarily centering around Japan. In addition to its maintenance of mutual relationships with Asian countries, Japan needs to reform within itself. The reformation issues include:
(1) Japan should be more open for goods, service and labour from Asia. In this sense, acceleration of deregulation is needed so that Japan will be more attractive for Asian neighbours.
(2) What Japan is expected to do is to lead the region by utilizing it's economic might and "soft power" such as technology and know -how in industrial development and management system.
(3) Reform the policy-making processes, and respond immediately to any changes in economic or international environment through quick decision-making and policy changes.

To actualize above reformation requires strong political will of Japanese people. With visions and political will, it is possible to take actions that conform to the prospect for the future. In the issue of "Japan in Asia," its outcome will depend on how Japanese people can have vision and political will.

Shira.pdf

The Comprehensive Prospect of Asia

The 21st Century will certainly find the increased importance of Asia in the world, but this will not necessarily mean equal and smooth development throughout the area. Internally, the remnant of dictatorship still remains, and externally, the global conditions are severer and more restrictive in terms of environment, resource utilization and population control than the time when western world and Japan built the basis of their development. Furthermore, the region still embraces the seeds of unpredictable trans-border confronta-tions such as in Taiwan and Korean peninsula. In the future, Asia will likely change depending on the overall interactions of these domestic and international factors. GISPRI established this research committee, led by Prof. Satoshi Amako (Aoyama Gakuin University) for the purpose of comprehensive projections on Asia's next quarter century and conducted a six-month study on the subject, which resulted in the publication of a report (in Japanese) in May of 2000. The report was consisted of the following subjects: Changes in Asian political regimes and the prospect for the first quarter of 21st century, the USA-Japan security relationships and the direction of Asian order, from People's Republic to federal system in China, prospect of Indian economic development for the 21st Century, "will Asian middle income people be able to promote democratization in the next quarter century?", problems and prospects of Asian economy, future of establishing multi-level regime in Asia, unstable Taiwan Strait and Japan, prospect of unification and security issues of Korean Peninsula, future security system in Asia-Pacific region, and idiosyncrasy and prospects of environmental problems in Asia.

The changes in Southeast Asian political and economic regimes and the potentials of regional cooperation including Japan

This research is to assess the changes of Southeast Asian countries after the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and to position the involvement of Japan in South Asia from a broader scope of international community relationships. The committee analyzed, viewing the crisis as "catalysts", how Southeast Asian structures and trends were affected and shaken throughout the 1990's and how various participants, actors, and stakeholders in the public and private sectors of Southeast Asian countries acted and responded such changes.
Fundamental recognition presented before the discussion was that Japan's economic aids to Southeast Asia were viewed as a strategy in the multi-level structures of Asia-Pacific politics including USA, and that the region faced new globalization trend through the establishment of ASEAN 10, which, in turn, required the changes in each country itself.
The committee analyzed and assessed what kind of changes three major ASEAN countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand sustained in their political and economic structures, which restructuring measures were adopted and what were the purposes of such measures, based on the data obtained by detailed survey of each country. The research clarified the future national political issues faced by these three countries, especially Indonesia.
In addition, the research indicated that Japan's participation in peace-keeping aids for Cambodia and development aids to three Indochina countries promoted the multi-lateral political and security talks in the region and improved bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Japan. It also pointed out that it would be necessary to attain an appropriate balance between Thailand, which wished to strengthen influences over Indochina, and Vietnam, which would like to evade such influences, in the cooperation project of Mekong River development.

ASEAN.pdf

21st Century's development strategy

This committee was established to advance from the conclusion of "2050 Sustainability Research Committee" (completed in fiscal 1997), which pointed out that "the greatest problem for the 21st Century would be the issue of equity." The Committee Chair is Prof. Kei Takeuchi, President of International Faculty, Meiji Gakuin University, and completed its study after two years of research starting from fiscal 1997 and summarized the conclusion into the research report.
The scope of the research was on Asia in early 21st Century (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.) and aimed to introduce what kind of aids and roles Japan can provide as developed country in the region in order to mitigate social problems and to bring prosperous civil society in these countries. In its first year of fiscal 1998, the Committee focused on the summarization of Asia's economic development and economic crisis, social welfare issues in developing countries, and index on these factors. In fiscal 1999, the Committee further focused on the equity issues by addressing on the course of economic development, agricultural issues, the system of development aids, international finances, international cooperation, etc., from various points of views.
Furthermore, the research included the actual case studies on the citizen-participating type poverty alleviation efforts in developing countries in order to pursue the essence of poverty issues, considering the doubts arisen among international organizations that conventional development aids might not truly be instrumental for poverty alleviation. The result of the survey was assessed with the connections to various poverty alleviation strategies. The Committee planned to publish these case studies on the web site of CITYNET to help policymakings of poverty alleviation at various city governments and NGOs.

case studies list

1999 Research Outcome