Looking Back on a Year of COVID-19
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Looking Back on a Year of COVID-19
Ryo Matsumaru, Vice Center Director
In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 halted numerous program is nearing its end, and we intend to conduct
global activities and international processes. In as much research as possible before its completion.
2021, as the pandemic continues, so does a generally In October, we plan to publish a book summarizing
unpredictable outlook toward global processes. the results of the top priority research program, so
Consequently, academic activities such as classroom continue to watch this space.
education and research are still subject to significant Currently, in Japan, COVID-19 vaccinat ion is
restrictions. progressing. However, by next year, its pace will
Today, however, the number of face-to-face classes definitely progress worldwide, thereby improving the
has increased compared to last year, but several situation—there is finally light at the end of this long
inconveniences remain: large classes are still restricted tunnel. Although not much time is left until the target
and students still cannot access the campus freely. The year for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we
same is true for teachers. Owing to travel restrictions— will communicate our research activities and results
both domestic and international—the Center’s academic so that we can contribute to their achievement—even if
activities are stunted because many researchers’ work only a little.
is based on field surveys.
Despite these challenges, we continue to produce
and disseminate research results. Last year, the Center
published its first book in English titled, Evidence-
Evidence-based Knowledge
to Achieve SDGs
based Knowledge to Achieve SDGs from Field Activities. from Field Activities
This is the English version of a part of two recently Edited by Hidetoshi Kitawaki and Akira Kaneko
published Japanese-language books, updated with
the latest information. Thus, study results can now be
conveyed to non-Japanese readers as well. Additionally,
researchers, visit ing researchers, a nd research
assistants are also making external presentations. That
we could deepen our study in time to make external
presentations based on accumulated research is a silver
lining amid the pandemic clouds.
This is the final year of the Study on Realizing Human
Security by Improving Living Conditions in Developing
Countries-TOYO SDGs Global 2020–2030–2037, which
was adopted by the Toyo University Top Priority
Research Program.
Center for Sustainable Development Studies,
Given that active field surveys are not being Toyo University, JAPAN
undertaken as before—and it is still difficult to go
into the field this year—we have, over the past year,
improved our research abilities through remote
English book published in March 2021
resident workshops and upskilling seminars. The
An Introduction to Our English Book
Akira Kaneko, Visiting Researcher
I n Ma rc h 2021, t he Ce nt er for Su st a i n able Ethiopia Network of Universities in Public Health
Development Studies at Toyo University announced the (SENUPH)—a partnership program between four
publication of an English book titled Evidence-based Ethiopian universities and the University of Bergen in
Knowledge to Achieve SDGs from Field Activities. Norway, which the author studied.
We included information on the publication in the As a result of the study, the author identified the
53rd issue of the Center's Japanese newsletter, where we initiatives required to build a sustainable higher
outlined the aims of the publication. Presently, we will education partnership.
discuss its content. Chapter 6, “Social Welfare, Social Protection,
The first chapter, “Social Business and SDGs— and Sustainable Development: Achieving the New
Effectiveness in Infrastructure Diffusion,” is a paper Era of Community Welfare in Japan,” is contributed
by Terumasa Matsuyuki an Associate Professor of the by a Researcher, Chino Yabunaga. First, this paper
Co-Creation Bureau of Osaka University. It focuses on states that community welfare is necessary for a
Myanmar, which is promoting national electrification sustainable society in Japan, which is facing a declining
policies, and discusses how social business and population. Second, it discusses the progress of the
appropriate technologies affect economic growth and establishment of a system of community welfare. Based
sustainable development. on the case studies of Osaka and Tokyo, this chapter
Chapter 2, a paper by a Researcher named Toshiya describes specific activities of community welfare and
Aramaki, is entitled “International Contributions the case study of Fumicom in Bunkyo City. Although it
Toward the Achievement of SDGs in the Environmental is not a substitute for public assistance, it summarizes
Field.” It offers an overview of the achievements the importance of mutual assistance for community
and challenges of MDGs in this field and introduces welfare.
approaches to support new methods of contributing Chapter 7, a paper contributed by Ryoko Shimano,
i nt er n at ion a l ly by e x a m i n i ng t he goa l s a nd who is a Visiting Researcher, is titled “SDGs and
international contributions in the environmental field Support for People with Disabilities: Toward Achieving
for the SDGs. the Objective of No One Left Behind.” First, it explains
Chapter 3 is entitled “Disaster Risk Reduction and the position of persons with disabilities in the SDGs,
SDGs.” In this paper, Ryo Matsumaru, a Researcher, and second, it discusses the relationship between the
brief ly summarizes disasters and disaster risk SDGs and the Convention on the Rights of Persons
reduction, searches for methods to deal with disaster with Disabilities. Based on these facts, a cookie
risk reduction in the context of the SDGs, and manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka, “SahanSevana,”
summarizes the connection between them. Experiences which employs persons with disabilities, is used as
of the author in developing countries such as the an example, and its activities are described in detail.
Philippines and Bangladesh, attempt to make some These are summarized as recommendations for the
sense of “preliminary disaster risk reduction” and implementation of the SDGs that are needed to support
“recovery from disasters” from two perspectives: SDGs everyone.
and disaster risk reduction. C h apter 8 i s a pap er by Res ea rc her Koz ue
Chapter 4 is a paper by Visiting Researcher Maria Kashiwazaki and is entitled “Urban Communities
Rosario Piquero-Ballescas, entitled “Views about and Sustainable Development Goals.” In this paper,
Women Empowerment and Its Obstacles: Women the author first focuses on urban development and
Leaders from Various Philippine Communities.” This slums, followed by urbanization and slum expansion
paper first presents the background, then describes the in Thailand, and using the Kingdom of Thailand as
need for the SDGs initiatives, and finally summarizes an example, she describes the slum countermeasures
the various definitions of women's empowerment. project and the changes in resident organizations.
Thereafter, it describes the results of discussions and Based on this, its urban community is examined as
questionnaire surveys in various communities in a specific example, with an outline and details
Cebu and Bohol provinces in the Philippines. These of initiatives in a housing project. As a summary of
results and other indicators reveal the necessity of the above, the challenges and possibilities of urban
further efforts to achieve gender equality and women's communities from the perspective of the SDGs are
empowerment in the Philippines. described.
Chapter 5 is written by a Researcher named Shingo Chapter 9, a paper contributed by Visiting Researcher
Hanada. In this paper, entitled “International Higher Shigeyuki Matsumoto, is entitled “Development of
Education Partnerships for Sustainable Development Urban Water Supply Systems to Achieve the SDGs—
Goal 4,” the author first summarizes the effectiveness Improvements in the Management of Water Utilities
of higher education in developing countries, the in Developing Countries and the Role of International
importance of partnerships with universities in Cooperation.” First, the SDGs related to water supplies
developed countries, and their positioning in the are discussed, followed by the challenges faced by
context of the SDGs. This is followed by a description water projects in developing countries in achieving the
of the background, framework, and features/challenges SDGs. Furthermore, taking Cambodia as an example,
of the joint doctoral program in respect of the South the role of international cooperation in improving the
−2−
management of water utilities is discussed, based on discussed. Additionally, the positioning of cities in
which the necessity of strengthening the organization achieving the SDGs and the direction of urban
of water utilities is stated. Regarding the utilization development toward 2030 are discussed with examples.
of private funds, it is stated that strengthening the Finally, the necessity of cooperation between developed
organization of water utilities through the official and developing countries is discussed.
development assistance (ODA) is a prerequisite to the We believe that these ten papers cover important
utilization of private funds. topics for achieving the SDGs. Moreover, as they
Chapter 10 is a paper written by Visiting Researcher contain specific case studies from fieldwork, they will
Toshiko Murakami. Entitled “Urbanization with an serve as a reference for anyone interested in the SDGs.
Eye on Achieving the SDGs,” it first examines SDG 11, The book is published by AsparaBooks and is available
which is about utilizing the experiences of developed on Amazon. (https://www.amazon.co.jp/Evidence-
countries when aiming for the sustainable development based- Knowledge-Achieve-Activities-English-ebook/
of developing countries. Thereafter, the benefits of dp/ B091FNB3DX)
utilizing the experiences of developed countries are
Inclusive Education and Parenting Support in Finland
Akie Yada, Visiting Researcher
Since the adoption of the Salamanca Statement in 1994, attracting attention in Japan.
“inclusive education” that meets the diverse educational Neuvola is Finland's unique parenting support
needs of all learners—regardless of gender, race, or service, started in the 1920s by the pediatrician
disability—has become the mainstream in considering ArvoYlppö as part of his private-sector activities, and
educational policies worldwide. In Japan, what began later institutionalized in 1944. It supports the growth
promoting a transition to “special needs education” and development of children continuously from
in 2007, a new support system for the realization of pregnancy up until school and also provides physical
inclusive education has been developed. However, a and mental support for the entire family. A single-
shortage of manpower “on the ground” and a lack of institution provides ongoing support for children from
training for teachers has created a gap between the pregnancy to early childhood, enabling early detection
scheme’s concept and the actual practices. Therefore, of and intervention for problems and disabilities faced
while there is the universal understanding that inclusive by children and families, as well as collaboration
education provides equal learning opportunities for all among relevant agencies. Additionally, Neuvola and
children, its implementation is greatly influenced by related organizations share necessary information,
the historical, cultural, and economic backgrounds— enabling inclusive education in daycare centers and
as well as the educational and welfare systems—of a schools (Note: Finland does not distinguish between
country, which vary widely. Comparative research on kindergartens and daycare centers).
the educational initiatives of other countries can reveal Parenting environments have the greatest impact on
their advantages and challenges, and provide useful children's healthy growth and development. In future
insights for the development of Japan's educational research, co-parenting (that is, the process of parents
policies and practices. The author has been researching sharing responsibilities and joint parenting) should be
various environments related to inclusive education studied comparatively in terms of how the process is
in Finland, which known as a great educational and created in Japan, Finland, and Portugal. Consequently,
welfare country. the researchers will examine how social and cultural
For example, Neuvola is a welfare system related to values, welfare systems, and parenting support services
inclusive education in Finland, which has recently been in each country affect co-parenting.
Neuvola's medical check-up rooms.
−3−
Potential Cooperation and Conflict among River Basin Countries over
the Allocation of Water Resources in the Nile River: A Study Based on
the Case of the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Mohammed Abdin, Visiting Researcher
Herodotus once said, “Egypt is the gift of the Africa, Ethiopia has not been able to begin construction
Nile;” even today, more than 90% of the 100 million on any dam in the absence of the former’s consent.
Egyptians depend on its water for sustenance. The However, following a popular uprising in Egypt in
average annual rainfall in Egypt is extremely low, and 2011, the Mubarak regime collapsed. Ethiopia then
there are few water sources besides oases, which are surprised the world by embarking on the construction
scattered around the desert. Therefore, in every era to of one of Africa's largest dams: the Grand Ethiopian
date, Egyptian rulers have repeatedly sought to control Renaissance Dam. Subsequently, an already decade-
the water sources upstream of the Nile—the world's long negotiation process has been ongoing among
longest river, with several tributaries feeding into it Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia over future rules for the
from several countries. It finally sweeps northward use of water resources on the Nile and the allocation
through the Nubian Desert to Khartoum, the capital of available water. This study is an analysis from the
of Sudan, and pours into the Mediterranean Sea. Most viewpoint of international relations as to whether a
of its water is sourced from Lake Tana—Ethiopia's Blue cooperative mechanism for the allocation of water
Nile—and then it runs from Ethiopia to Sudan and resources will be created among the countries of the
finally thousands of kilometers through Egypt from Nile River basin (Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia), or
upstream to downstream. whether the negotiations will fail and the situation
Until the beginning of the 21st century, upstream will develop into an armed conflict involving the entire
Ethiopia had used almost no water from the Blue region. Particularly, the analysis focuses on two points:
Nile, so Egypt has stored more than 80% of its annual (1) how the water issues of the Nile are being used for
water in Lake Nasser, created by the Aswan High the maintenance of the political system in each country,
Dam, and has used it for agriculture, industry, and and (2) how the involvement of actors outside the river
domestic water supply. However, since the beginning basin can influence the outcome of the problem.
of the 2000s, Ethiopia has begun its transition away It is often said that the bid to control petroleum
from being a poverty-stricken country, and the use resources caused many armed conflicts during the
of resources has become an important topic. In this latter half of the 20th century, and during the 1990s
context, several mega-dam construction plans were it was predicted that conflicts in the 21st century
proposed along the Blue Nile, usually opposed by would be caused by the bid to control water resources.
Egypt because of its fears of a decline in the water Observing the current Nile issue, the likelihood of this
volume. Additionally, as Egypt is one of the most prediction coming true seems high.
powerful economic and military powers in Northeast
A Study on Citizens' Awareness of Household
Waste Sorting in Beijing City, China
Zhou Ke, Visiting Researcher
S i n c e t h e 19 9 0 s , t h e implemented in many rural cities yet.
amount of annual Sorting before collection facilitates resource recovery
household waste in and proper disposal of household waste, but it is
Chinese cities has been performed by those who dispose of the waste. The
progressively increasing. sorting behaviors of citizens are, therefore, important,
T h i s i s m a i n l y du e t o and they must understand the reasons for sorting
increase in consumption before collection.
caused by economic During the latter part of the researcher's doctoral
development, and urban course, a study was conducted on citizens' awareness
populat ion. Reduct ion, of waste sorting behavior in Beijing, which was the
sor t i ng /col lec t i ng , a nd first city in China where a pilot scheme for household
rec ycli ng of household waste sorting before collection was implemented. The
waste has become an issue. results clarified the factors connecting sorting behavior
From around 2000, large cities such as Beijing, and target intention. Additionally, using the results of
Shanghai, and Shenzhen introduced a pilot sorting the questionnaire survey conducted in Changsha city
and collection scheme, though this has not been during the first half of the doctoral course, a model of
−4−
the sorting behavior was constructed using covariance In Beijing city, to garner further cooperation for waste
structure analysis, and the differences between the two sorting before collection, waste issues are disseminated
cities were compared in terms of the factors affecting to increase the public’s knowledge on the issue, and a
target and behavioral intention. garbage separation certificate is also used.
Consequently, it was found that “knowledge of the As for future research, first, we will publish two peer-
waste problem” had a relatively strong influence on reviewed papers using the results of a questionnaire
“recognition of environmental risk and responsibility survey for citizens of Beijing. Subsequently, we plan
attribution”, “target intention” and “benefits and costs.” to analyze the factors that will affect the achievement
Additionally, it was proven that “social norms” such as of Goal 6 in the SDGs using statistical methods on the
“pressure to conform” became an important factor that topic of “safe water supply and sewerage.”
caused the actual behavior.
Current Global Debates on Disaster Risk Reduction with COVID-19
Kozo Nagami, Visiting Researcher
International discussions on disasters and disaster risk and other forums, attentions are overwhelmingly increasing
reduction have been greatly impacted by the worldwide with general and intrinsic social and economic vulnerabilities
spread of COVID-19. It is anticipated that increasingly active rather than the hazards that are extrinsic aspects of disaster risk
discussions highlighting the COVID-19 impacts will be held at and the initial triggers of the whole compound disaster risks.
various places including the United Nations (UN) as we move These arguments can be illustrated as “to mitigate the damage
toward the target year of 2030 for the Sendai Framework for with disasters, it is important to first strengthen efforts tackling
Disaster Risk Reduction established at the Third UN World development issues, such as poverty reduction, education, and
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai in 2015 and the medical care.” However, this emphasis on the need to strengthen
SDGs (which have adopted several disaster-related indicators). social and economic development is just a reflection from
These discussions will cover issues such as how to deal with the fact that past development initiatives by the international
“compound disaster risks,” which will further increase in line community have not necessarily been effective in reducing
with changes in people's lifestyles and the globalization of disparity and poverty—and this has been only reconfirmed and
economic and social systems. brought to light by the current pandemic. I believe that this is an
Given that all of the three UN World Conferences on important discussion for us to reflect upon—and improve—our
Disaster Risk Reduction were held in Japan—before and after previous developmental approaches and ideas without a doubt.
unprecedented natural disasters—the basic thinking thus However, the international community should not weaken
far has been that disasters are mainly triggered by natural initiatives to the Disaster Risk Reduction efforts against the
hazards, that is, natural phenomena such as earthquakes, extrinsic risk factor, natural hazards—which are becoming
floods, typhoons, landslides, etc. However, after the discussions increasingly intense and more frequent because of climate
for the Sendai Framework, infectious diseases have also been change—and must not lead to a resigned attitude toward the
included under the hazards category. And, in the United fundamental reduction of disaster risk for natural hazards.
Nations Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction Arguments such as “in the end, nonstructural measures in
(GAR2019) published in 2019, infectious diseases have been preparation for unexpected situations is only important” is
specifically included under the hazards category. Nevertheless, absolutely wrong for the future resilience of the world. In the
until the COVID-19 pandemic, the assessment of the number of post-COVID-19 world, we need to make the overall international
deaths and victims due to infectious diseases had been limited developmental cooperation more effective and, simultaneously—
to regions such as Africa in particular. According to disaster and uncompromisingly, strengthen the society against natural
statistics (EM-DAT), between 1994 and 2019, approximately 6,900 hazards.
cholera deaths resulting from the 2010 Haiti Earthquake were
among the largest number of deaths per country per
year.
The total number of deaths worldwide for infectious
diseases was also about 160,000 during those 26 years.
Given that during the same period, earthquakes resulted
in a total of approximately 770,000 deaths, the relative
positioning of infectious diseases among hazard types
was not higher than that of natural hazards—mainly
earthquakes and floods.
Now that, the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has
made it clear that infectious diseases can cause massive
human and economic damage. They now account for the
largest share of disaster-related human deaths; according
to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number
of worldwide COVID-19-related deaths as of May 2, 2021, The author highlighting the importance of reducing natural disaster
was approximately 3,190,000. In response to this trend, I risks at the UNDP session on 15 April 2021.
feel that in current discussions and concerns at the UN https://www.jica.go.jp/information/seminar/2021/20210415_01.html
−5−
A Study on Foreign Resident Communities in the Suburbs of
Major Metropolitan Areas
Hiroya Takamatsu, Visiting Researcher
Japanese governments have expressed the position of “not metropolitan of major urban areas of Japan.
adopting immigration policies,” and, therefore, the country The significance of this study is that it focuses on the
does not have concrete guidelines to accept and integrate revitalization of local communities through the development
foreign nationals. Subsequently, to cope with a rapidly declining of foreign resident communities, which have thus far remained
labor force due to an aging population and a falling birthrate, hidden behind the debate on their individuality and the
successive governments have actively accepted expatriates. advocacy of minorities. By seeing minorities not as objects, but
Consequently, the population of foreign nationals has been as members of the community, it becomes possible to reveal
steadily increasing in Japan—the number currently stands at their identity.
more than 2.5 million. Many expatriates now reside in and
around Tokyo—the capital city and the center of politics,
economy, society, and culture—and new foreign settlements
are being developed in several areas. As used herein, the
term foreign resident community refers to an area with a high
proportion of the population being foreign residents, typically
represented by an ethnic town, which is a commercial area
formed by expatriates based on their cultural resources.
The question posed by this study is: why foreign resident
communities develop in the suburbs of major urban centers
in modern Japan? In previous academic discussions, foreign
resident communities have been identified as developing in
urban centers, and by ascertaining the factors behind their
development in the suburbs, we can clarify the reasons behind
this phenomenon. In the United States and France—two
industrialized countries accepting immigrants—foreign resident
communities have developed in the metropolitan of urban areas,
and the development process has been analyzed in existing
studies. This study will examine the process and background A scene around the western entrance to the Nishi-
of the development of foreign resident communities in the Kawaguchi Station lined with Chinese restaurants
About the Center for Sustainable Development Studies
The researchers at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies include full-
time teachers, visiting researchers from Japan and overseas, study assistants, research
assistants, and secretariat workers. The Center holds annual international symposiums
and workshops, inviting experts from developed and developing countries. Additionally,
we hold open lectures for citizens and professionals, publish a Japanese–English
newsletter containing information about research projects, and publish an annual report.
These reports can be downloaded from the Center’s website. The Center’s activities are
administered by the Toyo University Priority Research Promotion Program.
⃝Fiveminutes' walk from Exit A3 of the Hakusan
Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line to the main
and south gate, and five minutes' walk from Exit A1
to the west gate.
⃝Fiveminutes’ walk from Exit 1 of the Honkomagome
Station on the Nanboku Line of the Tokyo Metro.
⃝Fifteenminutes' walk from Exit 1 of the Sendagi
Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to the
main gate and south gate.
−6−
You can also read
