• STI Policy Review
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.152-171
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• 2012

In April 2001, many Japanese national institutes were reorganized as Independent Administrative Institutions (IAI) based on the General Act for Independent Administrative Institutions and the act for each institution. Under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) was established by the merger of the National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) and the National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (NIRIM). One of the biggest changes was the expansion of autonomous administration. The nanotechnology and material R&D field was prioritized in the 2nd (2001-2005) and the 3rd (2006-2010) Science and Technology Basic Plans; subsequently, NIMS was assigned to take the initiative in nanotechnology as well as materials science. NIMS has proactively expanded research fields through the introduction of researchers from polymers, electronics, and biotechnology as well as member institutes of the World Materials Research Institute Forum (WMRIF). Globalization has been promoted through programs that include the International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) and the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA). The 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan (2011-2015) emphasizes outcomes-recovery and rebirth from the disaster, green innovation, and life innovation. The Midterm Plan for NIMS also follows it. R&D collaboration by multi-partners (that include industry, university, and GRI) should be strategically promoted where GRI are especially required to play a hub function for innovative R&D and open innovation. NIMS highlights are Tsukuba Innovation Arena (TIA) and the Nanotechnology Platform Project. On January 20, 2012, a new organization was decided on by the Japanese Government where several IAI from different science and technology areas will be merged to realize more effective R&D as well as administrative cost reductions. NIMS is also supposed to be merged with 4 other R&D IAI under MEXT by the end of 2013.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.445-450
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• 2023

Background: The impact of COVID-19 infection on workers' work function persists even after the acute phase of the infection. We studied this phenomenon in Japanese workers. Methods: We conducted a one-year prospective cohort study online, starting with a baseline survey in December 2020. We tracked workers without baseline work functioning impairment and incorporated data from 14,421 eligible individuals into the analysis. We estimated the incidence rate ratio for new onset of work functioning impairment due to COVID-19 infection during follow-up, using mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis with robust variance. Results: Participants reporting infection between January and December 2021 showed a significantly higher incidence of new work functioning impairment (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.75-2.71, p < 0.001). The formality of the recuperation environment correlated with a higher risk of work functioning deterioration in infected individuals (p for trend <0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19-infected workers may continue to experience work difficulties due to persistent, post-acute infection symptoms. Companies and society must urgently provide rehabilitation and social support for people with persistent symptoms, recognizing that COVID-19 is not just a transient acute infection.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.346-358
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• 2016

This study built the volcano Data Base(DB) of 289 active volcanoes around the Korean Peninsula, Japan, China (include Taiwan), and Russia Kamchatka area. Twenty nine more hazardous volcanoes including Baekdusan, Ulleungdo and 27 Japanese volcanoes that can cause a widespread ash-fall on the Korean peninsula by potentially explosive eruption were selected. This selection was based on the presence of volcanic activity, whether or not containing dangerous explosive eruption rock types, distance from Seoul, and volcanoes having Plinian eruption history with volcanic explosivity index (VEI) 4 or more. The results of this study are utilized for screening high-risk volcanoes that may affect the volcanic disaster caused by a widespread fallout ash. By predicting the extent of spread of ash caused by these hazardous volcanic activities and by analyzing the impact on the Korean peninsula, we suggest that it should be used for helping to predict volcanic ash damages and conduct hazards mitigation research as well.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.17-17
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• 2011

As a method of countermeasure to bed degradation and armoring phenomena of bed material in the downstream area of dam reservoirs, sediment augmentation (replenished sediment) has been carried out in many Japanese rivers. In general, bed of the replenished sediment site is composed of rocks, because the site is located in the downstream area of the dams and sediment supply is very small. Bed deformation process has been researched by many researchers. As a method of countermeasure to bed degradation and armoring phenomena of bed material in the downstream area of dam reservoirs, sediment augmentation (replenished sediment) has been carried out in many Japanese rivers. In general, bed of the replenished sediment site is composed of rocks, because the site is located in the downstream area of the dams and sediment supply is very small. Bed deformation process has been researched by many researchers. However, most of them can treat movable bed only and cannot be applied to the bed deformation process of sediment on rocks. If the friction angle between the sediment and the bed surface is assumed to be the same as the friction angle between the sediment and the sediment, sediment transport rate must be smaller without sediment deposition layer on the rocks. As a result, the reproduced bed geometry is affected very well. In this study, non-equilibrium transport process of non-cohesive sediment on rigid bed is introduced into the horizontal two dimensional bed deformation model and the model is applied to the erosion process of replenished sediment on rock in the Nakagawa, Japan. Here, the Japanese largest scale sediment augmentation has been performed in the Nakagawa. The results show that the amounts of the eroded sediment and the remained sediment reproduced by the developed numerical model are $56300m^3$ and $26800m^3$, respectively. On the other hand, the amounts of the eroded sediment and the remained sediment measured in the field after the floods are $56600m^3$ and $26500m^3$, respectively. The difference between the model and field data is very small. Furthermore, the bed geometry of the replenished sediment after the floods reproduced by the developed model has a good agreement with the measured bed geometry after the floods. These results indicate that the developed model is able to simulate the erosion process of replenished sediment on rocks very well. Furthermore, the erosion speed of the replenished sediment during the decreasing process of the water discharge is faster than that during the increasing process of the water discharge. The replenished sediment is eroded well, when the top of the replenished sediment is covered by the water. In general, water surface level is kept to be high during the decreasing process of the discharge during floods, because water surface level at the downstream end is high. Hence, it is considered that the high water surface level during the decreasing process of the water discharge affects on the fast erosion of the replenished sediment.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 1996

In recent erosion control works, securing not only the disaster prevention space but the environmental space, harmonized with surrounding environment and abundant with biological resources, are emphasized. Inspired of by the fact that efforts to secure such spaces have been being briskly promoted in Japan since the beginning of 1990s', we compile and analyze the Japanese sources about the "environmentally-sound erosion control works" to contribute to the erosion control works of our country. Specifically, in this report, we deal with the subjects of "establishment of the comfortable river environment" and "environmentally-sound erosion control works" which includes "erosion control dam", "water channel works and revetments", "fish routes" and "water quality conservation works".

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.223-235
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• 2014

In this study, it is the study of foreign tourism content information providing utilizing mobile indoor location information services. In particular, we compared the Web App used in Osaka, Japan. Widespread use of smartphones in the world increases, it is changed to free travel of individuals from group travel. Tourists cultural complex shopping mall is able to travel in a room is increasing. By utilizing the services of the guidance location based on the room, it is possible to easily obtain the discount coupon information, tourism content. Also, it is possible to grasp the movement path and disaster relief information. Osaka Japanese tourists increased after the earthquake in Tokyo. So we compare the difference in Osaka web and applications. If improving the indoor location information service method of domestic if it would help foreign tourists attract. In addition, it will give a big impact if there is a fusion of the Internet of things.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2014

Purpose: The emergency medical service (EMS) system in Japan is similar to that in Korea. This study reviewed the development of paramedics who are major personnel in the respective EMS system of their country. Methods: We searched law for paramedics and publications in J-stage, MEDLINE and the webpage of Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Results: Paramedic training had started in Japan in 1991, and most paramedics were employed in fire departments. In Japan, ambulances belonging to fire department are staffed by a three-person unit, including at least one paramedic. Medical control advisory boards were established in all Japanese prefectures in 2003 with the purpose of upgrading the activities of ambulance personnel, including paramedics. The scope of paramedics' work has been widened owing to the continued efforts of medical control advisory boards. This allows them to perform invasive procedures including tracheal intubation, intravenous line placement, and epinephrine administration under medical control of a physician. Conclusion: As paramedics' responsibilities expand, further development of the paramedic role and an effective medical control advisory board system are imperative both Korea and Japan.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2016

To generate information that contributes to climate change risk management, it is important to perform a precise assessment on the impact in diverse aspects. Considering this academic necessity, Japanese government launched continuous research project for the climate change impact assessment, and one of the representative project is Program for Risk Information on Climate Change (Sousei Program), Theme D; Precise Impact Assessment on Climate Change (FY2012 ~ FY2016). In this research program, quantitative impact assessments have been doing from a variety of perspectives including natural hazards, water resources, and ecosystems and biodiversity. Especially for the natural hazards aspect, a comprehensive impact assessment has been carried out with the worst-case scenario of typhoons, which cause the most serious weather-related damage in Japan, concerning the frequency and scale of the typhoons as well as accompanying disasters by heavy rainfall, strong winds, high tides, high waves, and landslides. In this presentation, a framework of comprehensive impact assessment with the worst-case scenario under the climate change condition is introduced based on a case study of Theme D in Sousei program There are approx. 25 typhoons annually and around 10 of those approach or make landfall in Japan. The number of typhoons may not change increase in the future, but it is known that a small alteration in the path of a typhoon can have an extremely large impact on the amount of rain and wind Japan receives, and as a result, cause immense damage. Specifically, it is important to assess the impact of a complex disaster including precipitation, strong winds, river overflows, and high tide inundation, simulating how different the damage of Isewan Typhoon (T5915) in 1959 would have been if the typhoon had taken a different path, or how powerful or how much damage it would cause if Isewan Typhoon occurs again in the future when the sea surface water temperature has risen due to climate changes (Pseudo global warming experiment). The research group also predict and assess how the frequency of "100-years return period" disasters and worst-case damage will change in the coming century. As a final goal in this research activity, the natural disaster impact assessment will extend not only Japan but also major rivers in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on floods and inundations.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.775-788
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• 2012

This study was done at a scientific camp sponsored by Nara Women's University Secondary School, Japan. In this school, $10^{th}$ grade students from 4 East Asian countries: Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, participated. We made a research on students' perceptions about nuclear energy. Sample populations include 77 students in total, with 12 Korean, 46 Japanese, 9 Taiwanese and 10 Singaporean students. Overall perceptions comparison about nuclear energy shows average values from the order of highest Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and to lowest, Japan. We implemented a T-test to identify perception differences about nuclear energy, with one group that include 3 countries (Korea, Taiwan and Singapore) and another group that includes all the Japanese students. T-test results of perceptions about nuclear energy shows students from the 3 countries of Korea, Taiwan and Singapore having higher average than Japanese students. (p<.05). Korean average scores regarding overall perceptions about nuclear energy show as the highest in all 4 East Asian countries and also highest in all subcategories. On the contrary in Japan, they have lower and negative perceptions of nuclear energy. In spite of these facts, perceptions of Japanese students about nuclear energy seem lowest and negative mainly because of the recent Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, caused by the tsunami and its subsequent damages and fears of radiation leaks, etc. This shows that negative information about future disasters and its resulting damages like the Chernobyl nuclear accident could influence more on people's risk perception than general information like nuclear energy-related technologies or the news that the plant is operating normally, etc. Even if the possibility of this kind of accident is very low, just one accident could bring abnormal risks to technology itself. This strong signal makes negative image and strengthens its perceptions to the people. This could bring a stigma about nuclear energy. This study shows that Government's policy about the highest priority for nuclear energy safety is most important. As long as such perception and decision are fixed, we found that it might not be easy to get changed again because they were already fortified and maintained.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.120-135
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• 2021

Changdeokgung Rear Garden is an important place to show the essence of the garden culture of the Joseon Dynasty. In the garden landscape experience, the restoration of the road completes the system of connecting the main spaces. Therefore, the restoration of the road requires accurate understanding of its creation, extinction, and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to detail the changes in the path that occurred in the Changdeokgung Palace Rear Garden from the late Joseon Dynasty to the modern and contemporary period by analyzing literature and drawing materials. For a time-series analysis, "Donggwoldo" and "Donggwoldohyeong" produced in the Joseon Dynasty, along with "Changdeokgung Plan Drawing" produced in modern and contemporary times, and aerial photographs were used. Drawings and photographs of different coordinate systems were transformed into one coordinate system in the geographic information system ArcGIS to compare changes in the movements of different periods. The results of the study are as follows. First, a total of 37 sections have been used since Japanese colonial era, of which 13 have been maintained, 14 have disappeared, and 10 have been newly established. Among the extinction sections, the road north of Neungheojeong Pavilion is considered to be an urgent place to connect the space to the garden and restore it to enjoy the scenery. In the new section, it seems necessary to establish a new alternative road or shorten the section for the connecting section between Daebodan and Okryucheon. Second, it was revealed that the biggest and most frequent changes to the road system in the garden were Japanese colonial era and renovations in the 1970s. It is worth noting the changes in the road since the 1970s, rather than Japanese colonial era, where it was difficult to manage the gardens independently. The access road to Okryucheon remained in its original shape until the 1990s, but it was renovated to its current shape due to misperception of the original shape. A project is needed to find out the cause of the change in this period and restore the damaged original shape. The biggest achievement of this study is that it revealed the changes in the garden path of Changdeokgung Palace in modern and contemporary times. The biggest achievement of this study is that it revealed the changes in the road of Changdeokgung Palace Rear Gardens in modern and contemporary times. However, there is a limitation that it has not been able to clearly present the location and shape that should be restored because it has not found data on landscaping plans or maintenance. In order to restore the road using the data revealed in this study, it seems necessary to consider realistic problems such as current space utilization, viewing system, disaster prevention and maintenance.