The winners of the Fifth Okita Commemorative Award for Policy Research were decided as follows:
<General Publications>
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"Kyoiku to Keizai Hatten - Tojokoku ni Okeru Hinkon Sakugen ni Mukete (Education and Economic Development - Towards Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries)"
Co-edited and co-authored by:
Keijiro Otsuka (Director FASID Graduate Program, Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID) / Professor, National Graduate School for Policy Studies (GRIPS))
Takashi Kurosaki (Associate Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University)
(Published by Toyo Keizai Inc., October 2003)
"Chiho Kofuzei no Keizaigaku - Riron Jissyo ni Motozuku Kaikaku (The Economics of Intergovernmental Transfers: Theory, Evidence and Policy Proposal) "
Co-authored by:
Nobuo Akai (Associate Professor, University of Hyogo)
Motohiro Sato (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University)
Koji Yamashita (Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, Nagasaki University)
(Published by Yuhikaku Publishing Co. Ltd., October 2003)
<Regional Policy Research>
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Not applicable
This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Saburo Okita, second President of NIRA's Research Council. The award is to preserve the memory of his contributions to NIRA's activities and to promote policy research in Japan. Dr. Okita, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, also achieved outstanding accomplishments in the international community. Winners of the award are selected from policy research projects conducted from a global point of view, contributing to the development of policy research and to the resolution of problems affecting Japan and the world, reflecting forward thinking policy-orientation. All winners are honored for the vigorous efforts they have made to cope with important problems facing modern society.
The 2004 NIRA Public Policy Research Seminar Begins
The NIRA public policy research seminar (NIRA seminar) is an introductory course in policy research held with the aim of fostering personnel who can conduct theoretical, interdisciplinary and practical research/analysis on public policies, clarify and raise key points, and develop active debate. The seminar is composed of lectures combined with three case study topics. The seminar commenced on September 8 and was attended by 24 members.
At the beginning of the seminar, NIRA's President, Mr. Takafusa Shioya, presented the basic principles of the policy process, namely the importance of interactive governance, the dualism between the public and private sectors, and promoting participation of the citizenry, who lie at the nexus of public and private. He also explained the goal(s) sought in this seminar, cultivating the players ultimately responsible for forging the new public sphere.
12 meetings will be held before the seminar ends in March 2005.
[NIRA Topics]
Introduction of a New Vice President
Mr. Kinji Konto
I have been involved in the policy adoption process primarily through the financial measures taken to implement policies. Specifically from the standpoint of policy finance, I have been involved in the investment and accommodation of loans in the development projects for industries and national land, and the management of a third sector undertaking the construction and management of the core facility of the Kansai Science City, the facility for promoting cultural and academic research exchange. I also participated in the surveys and research conducted preparatory to NIRA's establishment. Therefore, when a commemorative publication describing NIRA's history was published in celebration of its 30th anniversary, I keenly felt the importance of NIRA's history.
In the twenty-first century, international and domestic conditions have changed dramatically, and the problems facing our society have become increasingly complex. As a result, growing attention is being paid to NIRA's role, and there are high expectations attached to NIRA's research and proposals. I will endeavor to contribute to NIRA's activities. I look forward to your cooperation and support.
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