[ Completed Research Projects ]
Research on the Creation of a Japan that can Deal with Diverse Values
- Research Institute: NIRA
[NIRA-conducted research]This research considered how respect for and diversification of values would change people, society and the utilization of land, as well as how such changes in the social situation would influence trends toward decentralization.
In addition, this research considered the types of institutional reforms that would be necessary for citizens to become major players in creating a country that is comfortable to live in. This research explored problems related to current land use plans and regulatory systems. It also considered a system where citizens could take the initiative in making plans and regulations as well as a mechanism by which citizens would actively participate in city planning and take initiatives in making plans and regulatory rules in cooperation with government. The importance of incorporating new rules for living symbiotically with the natural environment into the planning systems was also examined.
This project proposed the concept of "shichi koukei (private land, public landscape)" to replace the concept of "commonality of land," and considered the importance of citizens actively communicating with each other, that independent citizens who voluntarily throw themselves into the space of politics take charge of commonality and become initiators in creating an attractive living space that is comfortable to live in.
The project report specifically proposes the necessity of comprehensive land use plans and citizens' participation in seeing into the twenty-first century' society. It is expected that this report will be read by a lot of citizens.
Russia and North-East Asia: Economic and Security InterdependenceiPart IIIj:The North-East Asia Trade, Investment and Technology Cooperation: Russian Perspective
- Research Institute: Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)
[Grants for Research on NIRA Themes]The project report considers Russia's bilateral and multinational economic relations with other North East Asian countries. This report then proposed future policies to be taken, such as a policy to aim at economic growth in North East Asia by establishing a North East Asia economic cooperation group.
Research on the Multiple Socioeconomic Evaluation of Public Investment in Agriculture
- Research Institute: Hokkaido Institute for the Future Advancement
This project conducts a theoretical study on public investment in the agricultural field, whose investment efficiency is said to be low, and proposes how public investment into this field should be made though verified analyses.
Conditions for Regionally Rooted Think Tanks - Focusing on the Japan Upper River Culture Institute
- Research Institute:
- Yamanashi Research Institute Foundation
- Shizuoka Research Institute
This research considers conditions needed for regionally rooted think tanks as a mechanism to promote regional planning where local residents take initiatives.
This research outlines two important functions of regionally-rooted think tanks: 1) contribute to regions where they act and promote wide-range cooperation among regions; and 2) through concrete activities, take actions, show future prospects, and make policy proposals for the purpose of regional existence. That is to say, think tanks need to shift from "think" to "do." This research project is helpful in considering the future course of community think tanks and local think tanks.
Realizing Local Sovereignty in an Information-oriented Society - An Attempt to Utilize the Internet in Administrative Evaluation
- Research institute: Kansai Institute of Information Systems
In this research project, the general concepts behind the United Kingdom's local administrative reforms and the characteristics of the nation's evaluation system were analyzed by conducting an examination of the U.K's administrative reform policy known as the "Best Value Policy." In addition, an attempt was made to establish an experimental external evaluation system and to utilize it to tentatively conduct administrative evaluations. The project also proposed the establishment of an "administrative evaluation system," to be jointly participated in by industry, government and academia.
A Model Consensus-Building System for Citizens: The Case of City Planning
- Research Institute: Research Institute for City Planning and Development
In this project, an appropriate consensus-building system for city planning and the best way to support such a system were examined by referring to the trials made by a number of regions which have endeavored to substantiate the effectiveness of their own models. The results of these trials were reflected in the model system established in this project. Policy proposals were presented with the aim of making possible the establishment of this system, and in order to formulate new city-planning policies.
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The project conducted under NIRA's subsidized research in specified fields (category B) for the year 2000 commenced in April last year under the unified theme "Regional Planning and Cooperation," with the involvement of 28 research institutes from 20 prefectures.
Following the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, Japan is on the brink of an era characterized by an aging society, a low birthrate and low economic growth. To allow the formation of a regional society in which people can enjoy a rich life, it is essential for citizens to make a shift from "old ideas" to "new ideas," which in turn will lead to the establishment of a "new mechanism." In this research project, "cooperation" is considered part of this "new mechanism." The goal of this project is to explore the direction necessary for a form of regional planning which may be participated in by a diverse range of actors.
[ NIRA Topics ]
New Executive Vice President
Mr. Kouichi Suzuki
Mr. Koichi Suzuki is currently one of the Executive Vice President of NIRA. He is also a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Business, Nihon University.
Before joining NIRA, Mr. Suzuki served in various positions at Daiwa Institute of Research, the research arm of a leading Japanese investment bank, Daiwa Securities Co., Ltd., as Director of the Consulting Division, CEO of Daiwa Europe, and Managing Director of Daiwafs Washington D.C. office, and Chief Economist of Daiwa Securities Research America Inc.
Mr. Suzuki has published numerous publications and articles on economic, industrial and financial issues. He graduated from Keio Universityfs Department of Economics and also attended the University of Cologne, Germany.
New Foreign Research Fellow
- Present post: Assistant Fellow, Korea Development Institute
- Research Theme: Economic and social transition in the 1990s: Cases of Korea and Japan (- with a focus on the labor market)
- Research term: March 15, 2001 - March 14, 2002
Dr. Kim Se Jong
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