JICA Research Institute Repository / リポジトリ
Not a member yet
485 research outputs found
Sort by
Overview of Policy Actions and Observational Data for PM2.5 and O3 in Japan: A Study of Urban Air Quality Improvement in Asia
Get PDFRecent topics on PM2.5 and O3 in Japan have been briefly discussed in this paper. In the first part, Japan’s policy measures for PM2.5, including the establishment of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) and monitoring stations, are described. Additionally, we discuss the monitoring data obtained and the exceedance of EQS in the years 2010-2013. The nationwide averaged data shows that sulfate and EC/OC are the most prominent components of PM2.5 and contribute almost equally to it . Secondly, long-term variation of O3 (Ox) and its precursors, NO2 and NMHC/VOC (non-methane hydrocarbon/volatile organic compound) are presented. The paradox of the increase in the average concentration of O3 in spite of the decrease in ambient concentrations of NO2 and VOC is discussed. The phenomenon was found to reflect three components: (1) a decrease in the NO titration effect, (2) an increase in transboundary transport, and (3) a decrease in in situ photochemical production. It is proposed that the integrated approach to mitigation measures for PM2.5 and O3 pollution should be considered within a framework of the SLCPs (short-lived climate pollutants) co-control policy.research repor
Untangling Disability and Poverty: A Matching Approach Using Large-scale Data in South Africa
Get PDFDisability and poverty are interconnected with each other. This entangled relationship and the complexity of disability itself have hampered our understanding of poverty among persons with disabilities. This paper attempts to estimate the more accurate gap in multidimensional poverty between persons with and without disabilities in South Africa using a matching method and large-scale household survey data. This paper also decomposes the gap in multidimensional poverty between persons with and without disabilities using a matching-based decomposition method, in which it is mathematically shown that the decomposition method embraces the average treatment effect on the treated. The results reveal that persons with disabilities are more deprived in multidimensional poverty than matched persons without disabilities, particularly in terms of the breadth of poverty. The gap between them is larger for the subgroups of persons with difficulties in intellectual functionings and with multiple difficulties, and among adult males, Africans, Coloureds, or residents in rural areas. While a large part of the gap is attributable to disability for the younger group, the gap for the older group is explained not only by disability but also other factors, indicating the existence of multiple discrimination in South Africa.research repor
The Evolving Life Improvement Approach: From Home Taylorism to JICA Tsukuba, and Beyond
Get PDFIn this article, we examine the history of the Life Improvement Approach (LIA) from around the turn of the 20th century, and propose a LIA model based on Japanese experiences followingWorld War II to JICA Tsukuba training courses for Latin American countries, taking into consideration recent advances in information and communications technology (ICT) available in developing countries. In this paper, we first review the history of LIA, pointing out that self-determination and self-management (agency enhancement and pragmatism) are the two principal pillars of the current LIA model elaborated in JICA Tsukuba training courses. We also stress the importance of ‘accompaniment’ by extension workers. We reformulate LIA as an enhanced microeconomic model based on Mokyr (2002) to clarify its relevance as a development policy. We then analyze the case of a small association in Costa Rica using digital photos taken by extension workers, pointing out the necessity of operationalizing the model to fit onsite practices. Based on this foundation, we present a blueprint for a new digital system for sharing images and texts of LIA, called SIMEVI, which provides a bridge between the theoretical model and onsite practices, and underlines the importance of an analog foundation for the system to fully function as an ‘engine’ to support LIA in developing countries.research repor
Policy Measures for Mitigating Fine Particle Pollution in Korea and Suggestions for Expediting International Dialogue in East Asia
Get PDFThe majority of the measurements sites over Republic of Korea place PM2.5 concentrations above the national air quality standard of 25 microgram/m3/year, posing great concerns for the national environment and public health. This particulate matter (PM) pollution is often associated with transboundary transport of air pollutants throughout East Asian countries. This paper reviews and discusses the Korean government’s policies for mitigating PM pollution, and in particular, recent policies to control PM2.5, including a system introduced by the Korean Ministry of Environment (KMOE). In addition, I analyze the system and performance of cooperative programs for improving East Asian air quality, considering current approaches by the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), the Joint Research Project on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollutants in North-East Asia (LTP), the North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC), and Tripartite Environment Minister Meeting (TEMM) as the basis for a comparative study, focusing on international coordination, communication, scientific activities, and institutional structure. Based on this analysis, I have generated some recommendations for improving international dialogue on air quality over East Asia.research repor
Impact of Universal Primary Education Policy on Out of School Children in Uganda
Get PDFDespite the recognition of the importance of providing quality education to all children in several international declarations, still majority of children with disabilities are likely to face barriers to quality education particularly in developing countries. Numerous existing studies examine the education of female as out of school children, yet only few studies exists on children with disabilities. To bridge the knowledge gap in the existing studies, using the nationally representative demographic and health survey dataset, we estimate the effect of Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy on educational attainments of out of school children in Uganda. Following the identification strategies in previous literatures, we compare two cohorts (pre- and post- UPE) for those with and without disabilities. While UPE was found effective to bridge the gender gap, we observe no significant improvements between children with and without disabilities in poor households. This finding suggests the difficulty of parents with financial constraints to invest in education regardless of whether their children are disabled or not. Additionally, for the samples with disabilities only, we observe positive effect of UPE on years of schooling for full and female samples but not for poor households. These findings suggest that simply waiving of tuition fee as UPE policy does is not sufficient to increase the school enrollment and years of schooling of persons with disabilities, especially in poor households.research repor
Women Empowerment in Bangladesh: Household Decisions under Development of Non-Farm Sectors and Microfinance Institutions
Get PDFWe analyze the factors and dynamics that contributed to the empowerment of women in Bangladesh. We first investigate the role of non-farm sector growth in facilitating female labor force participation and educational attainment, and then we explore how women’s decision-making roles in a household have improved over the same time period. Our results indicate that the proportion of village non-farm labor force participation is positively associated with female school enrollment as well as other indicators of women empowerment. Moreover, microcredit participation is found to be associated with larger roles for females in making household decisions particularly on non-farm activities.research repor
A New Perspective on Conflict Resolution in Asia: Integration of Peace and Development for the Philippines
Get PDFThe peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a showcase of a new type of conflict resolution. This process included development and a hybrid form of peacekeeping aside from peacemaking endeavors. Japan’s assistance to the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao demonstrated the notion of human security with a tripartite cooperation arrangement consisting of the International Monitoring Team, the Mindanao Task Force, and the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development. Above all, Japan’s participation in the International Monitoring Team opened new pathways for the country to carry out comprehensive support to Mindanao by bridging peace and development. Japan remained in Mindanao even after the peace negotiations reached a stalemate in October 2008. That was the period when the empowerment of local communities and people were at stake under a volatile cease-fire agreement. Japan, in collaboration with local security providers, continued assistance in the conflict-affected areas. In parallel with this effort, the Consolidation of Peace Seminar played a role in introducing local consultation into the peace process; bridging the gap between local civil society and the negotiating panels. These multifaceted endeavors supported local communities in their quest for peace during a critical period of the peace process.research repor
Management of the international development aid system: The Case of Tanzania
Get PDFThis article tries to clarify Government behaviours as to
how to manage aid in Tanzania. Contrary to the
Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development
(OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
donor intentions, the development aid structure, carefully
constructed under the poverty reduction regime in
Tanzania, has led to Tanzanian- owned initiatives toward a
national development plan (NDP). Furthermore, this arti-
cle shows that, in the process of creating an international
development aid system, the Tanzanian Government has
learned to manage aid in a recipient- driven manner not
only from DAC donors, but also from China.journal articl
Managing International Cooperation for Organizational Capacity Development: Setting a Conceptual Foundation for Case Study Research and its Utilization
Get PDFCapacity development has been the core of JICA’s technical cooperation, especially after 2000s. The issue has been repeatedly debated among the professional institutions including such as UNDP, JICA and so forth. However, even now, there are not so much articles analyzing the issue from the perspective of management science though some arguments called for the conduct of theory-guided, systematic research about episodes of support for organizations in partner countries. The paper argues and proposes the necessity of a conceptual settings for a case study research and its utilization for systematic learning from the standpoint of management science, particularly public management. It illustrates the conceptual framework by using the knowledge of on-going E-JUST case study. The paper also explore the further steps for strengthening the capacity for organizational development. It proposed “triathlon” approach, namely, conducting the case study research, engagement of professional practitioners through organizational learning and professional development, and vocabulary clarification and integration. Considering the fact that organizational capacity development projects are ex ante novel and ex post unique, the idea of “design references” and “design precedents” are presented for development practitioners to work as “designers” and to create novel solutions in the future.research repor
Contract Farming, Farm Mechanization, and Agricultural Intensification: The Case of Rice Farming in Cote d’Ivoire
Get PDFIt is critically important to intensify farming systems by disseminating proper agronomic practices and promoting the increased application of inputs to raise agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the region’s public agricultural extension systems are weak, and their input and output markets often fail to function properly. Under these circumstances, contract farming (CF) is expected to be a promising way to overcome market imperfections by providing inputs, production training, and marketing services. We examine this possibility by analyzing the case of rice production CF in Cote d’Ivoire. We find that CF did not lead to farming intensification, due mainly to the inadequate and uncertain provision of tractor services. Further analysis reveals a complementarity between tractor use and labor inputs, whereby tractor use in land preparation enhanced the adoption of input- and labor-intensive practices in subsequent farming activities, thereby increasing labor use and improving land productivity. The diffusion of tractors is thus likely to be key to the intensification of rice farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.research repor