Imagining a “unique summer”: Research activities during the COVID-19 pandemic Ryo Matsumaru Vice Director of the Center

The summer of 2020 was supposed to be a “unique discussions with people who were not able to talk face- summer,” a special time when the Tokyo Olympics to-face in the past. In fact, since the center’s plenary and Paralympics were to be held, with crowds of session was held remotely, the number of attendees visitors coming from overseas to join in the events increased, and although it is currently not possible and excitement. However, due to the pandemic of the to conduct research activities overseas, I have been COVID-19 worldwide, the Olympics and Paralympics able to have more frequent face-to-face meetings with have been postponed, and we are now stagnating in a the partners I collaborate with for research and other different kind of “unique summer” with no foreseeable activities. In addition to remote conferencing tools, exit, as people have been asked to refrain from both idea-sharing tools suitable for online group work and domestic and international travel. It is easy to imagine tools suitable for poster sessions have also become that these “unique” circumstances will continue available, with such tools continuing to evolve every for some time until the use of effective treatments day. We have become proficient in the use of these tools and preventative vaccines for this novel coronavirus as we have been forced to adapt to various restrictions becomes widespread. over the past few months. This manuscript was written in August 2020 during There is no question that many things cannot be the Obon holiday period in Japan. For researchers understood without visiting the concerned location. belonging to our center, the university’s summer However, by mastering the use of tools that can bring vacation period is an important time to pursue research us as close to the “real” experience as possible after both in and out of Japan, especially overseas field understanding their advantages and disadvantages, research activities. Although there would be many it will be possible to continue research activities in researchers conducting activities overseas under collaboration with active organizations in the field normal circumstances, there are no researchers and local researchers even in situations where it is not traveling abroad this year. Thus, the spread of the possible to travel to the research site in areas affected COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our research by infectious diseases or even conflicts, and it may be activities. However, while implementing what can be possible to present solutions for the realization of SDGs said to be an emergency response, I have recognized in a form suitable for the field. several things brought about by the pandemic that Although we are currently unable to travel abroad, we have not been all bad. The most important of these is will certainly be able to do so again in the future. For the rapid introduction of digital tools, such as remote now, establishing research methods that utilize digital conferencing software. A variety of easy-to-use tools tools will broaden the scope of research and will surely have been developed and the hurdles to effective strengthen the center’s role as a research platform. remote meetings have been lowered. Further, these (This article was the preface of Japanese Newsletter No. tools allow the restrictions of location and movement 52, published in September 2020.) to be overcome, creating more opportunities to have

Gender research on housework and childcare in Japan Daisuke Ito Researcher

According to the 2020 United Nations Sustainable that have not yet been evaluated), there were four Development Report, Japan’s level of SDG achievement that were stagnant or worsening. One of these SDGs ranks 17th out of 193 countries, and when considering is “Goal 5: Gender Equality.” Despite the fact that the evaluation of each of the 17 goals (including those gender equality has been promoted in Japan since 1999, the current situation indicates that only minimal was unclear. (It is possible that wives choose to work progress has been made. For example, with respect to shorter hours anticipating to handle most of the time devoted to housework/childcare, although there housework and childcare; hence, the causal relationship are some differences depending on conditions such is reverse. My current research uses data from a as the number of family members living in the same longitudinal study with three waves, and I intend to household, employment status of wives and husbands, clarify a causal relationship. and age of the youngest child, the time women devoted In addition, I, along with Dr. Chino Yabunaga, am to housework/childcare is 2.0-3.5 times greater than conducting a study named “Learning to Coparent: A the time devoted by men (2020 White Paper on Gender Longitudinal, Cross-national Study on Construction Equality.) It was also pointed out that women tend of Coparenting in Transition to parenthood,” which to accompany men when they engage in childcare or was introduced in Newsletter No. 51. In addition to housework. For instance, going shopping with their interviewing each member of the couples on two wives and hanging out at the park with wives and occasions (before and after childbirth), we plan to children are common. collect surveys from 400 couples before and after I conducted a statistical analysis to identify what childbirth. Coparenting is said to be influenced factors influence wives’ and husbands’ time devoted by attitudes toward gender equality, workplace to housework and childcare. More specifically, I environment, and family-related policies. Specific examined how wives’ relative income (for example, survey questions will cover topics such as gender, if the total annual household income is 6 million yen, self-confidence in child-rearing, work-life balance, this figure would be 33% if the wife earns 2 million use of support for child-rearing, and individualism/ yen per year or 50% if the wife earns 3 million yen), collectivism. A survey using a similar questionnaire the absolute value of wives’ and husbands’ income, will also be conducted by Finnish and Portuguese and working hours impacted time spent on housework research teams who are part of this international and childcare. The data used for this study was cross- comparative study. We plan to use the research results sectional, and a causal relationship between variables to promote the practice of co-parenting.

Toward Appropriate Technology Transfer of the “Fukuoka Method” Yasushi Matsufuji Visiting Researcher

1. Introduction Japan today, the situation in Japan was similar in the Due to global warming, large-scale natural disasters 1970s, when the authors began their careers as waste have occurred in many countries in recent years, giving researchers. Academically, there was also a lack of rise to major social concerns. The “waste problem” scientific knowledge in the field of landfill science in particular has become very serious in the African at that time, and each day saw new questions and region, where there has been rapid urbanization and challenges. population growth in recent years. This region has also Therefore, the authors believe that the first step in suffered repeated landfill-related disasters that require technology transfer to developing countries is to test urgent technical solutions to address “waste landfills.” the practical science learned at landfill sites while Under these circumstances, the authors received a remembering the road traveled to reach that point. request from the United Nations Human Settlements Overcoming this and participating in technology Programme (UN-HABITAT) Regional Office for Asia transfer operations related to landfills in developing and the Pacific (ROAP)-Fukuoka for engagement countries often lead to difficulties, abandonment of related to “technical support regarding landfills using plans, and significant delays in planning. the Fukuoka method.” They have since been carrying Features of the Fukuoka method are compatible with out improvement projects at multiple landfills in the the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) African region over the past several years. In this strategy: paper, the authors, based on their experience with ① Low cost these projects, provide their views regarding the most ② Simple technology appropriate landfill-related technology transfer. ③ Environmentally friendly technology, etc. However, in many cases, sufficient Fukuoka method 2. Toward an appropriate technology transfer of the technology transfer cannot always be achieved without Fukuoka Method considering the above-mentioned six limited conditions. Developing countries, for which the Fukuoka method Obstacles will also occur frequently with regard to the is designed, often initiate such technology transfers sustainability aspect. with a request to Japan made at the intergovernmental By contrast, some Japanese engineers involved in level in relatively urgent scenarios. technology transfers lack sufficient understanding As such, these transfers are requested in light of the and experience of the “Fukuoka method.” As a result resource limitations of these countries, specifically of essentially performing a “copy and paste” of the a “Lack of the ‘6Ms’” (Lack of Money, Manpower, technical guidelines for this “semi-aerobic landfill Material, Maintenance, Management, and Motivation.) style” created in Japan, the characteristics of the While these limitations are not often experienced in “Fukuoka method” are not fully realized during the

−2− design, construction, and implementation processes, “guidebook for landfill maintenance work applying and there have been recent reports of unfortunate cases the Fukuoka method,” with the focus on a series of of failure. daily landfill operations such as “receipt of waste,” As is well known, in recent years, the “Semi-aerobic “unloading of waste,” “level spreading,” “compacting,” Landfill Concept” has gradually garnered attention “pushing,” and “soil covering.” in both Europe and the United States. The appropriate Therefore, for ensuring proper Fukuoka method “Fukuoka method” also gained acknowledgement in technology transfer, it is important to break away from the Yokohama Action Guidelines unveiled at the 2nd the simple manual principle and allow the engineers in African Clean Cities Platform (ACCP) Joint Conference charge of the technology transfer to adhere to the three in 2019. In order to transfer the technology of the principles of “show it to them,” “do it together with “Fukuoka method” to developing countries, there is a them,” and “help them understand it” when conducting need to systematize the current goals both in Japan and on-site training in the target country to develop their internationally primarily by practitioners involved in human resources in a step-by-step fashion. The authors the development process of the Fukuoka method based believe that this so-called “Fukuoka System” is a way on history, results of past transfers, problems, and to realize sustainable Fukuoka method technology ongoing issues. transfer. Even if a landfill site is constructed in developing In light of the above, one of the authors’ accomplishments countries based on the basic landfill design concept is the writing of the “Textbook for the Fukuoka Method: after adoption of the “Fukuoka method,” if the site is A Road to Semi-aerobic Landfill Type by the Fukuoka not suitable and the sustainable landfill maintenance Method,” which is currently being revised mainly by system proves deficient throughout the year, the members of the SWAN-Fukuoka (NPO). It will serve as characteristics of the Fukuoka method cannot be fully a textbook contributing to appropriate Fukuoka method realized. technology transfer. The authors strongly believe there is a need for a

Exploring precedents for creating systems in support of local communities in the era of nuclear decommissioning Ryo Omatsu Visiting Researcher

Since April of this year, I have been participating in the facility decommissioning operations, and, in doing so, activities of the Center for Sustainable Development have created some systems for the decommissioning Studies at Toyo University as a visiting researcher. era. The focus of my research is the broad category The issues surrounding nuclear decommissioning of economic and social institutions in Russia and are not limited to on-site engineering and technical Ukraine. Since 2011, I have been engaged in activities obstacles. Rather, decommissioning operations give rise to propose support and compensation systems for to a series of social problems that directly affect local victims of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant residents, such as the “impact on the local economy disaster based on a survey of the victim compensation due to decommissioning,” “environmental impact on system put in place following the Chernobyl nuclear the surrounding area,” and “worker health and social accident. In the future, in connection with my research security.” “Nuclear decommissioning” also reflects the activities to date, I would like to investigate the social issue of “coexistence,” which highlights the importance security and economic promotion measures in the area of restructuring relationships between businesses surrounding nuclear facilities that have been marked and residents in local communities as well as between for decommissioning. national and local government agencies. According to International Atomic Energy Agency The areas of the world that have seen decommissioning (IAEA) data, 27 nuclear reactors have been permanently operations have dealt with these problems, and by shut down in Japan, which has the fourth largest researching and introducing case studies of precedent number of shutdown reactors after the United States, systems, I would like to raise awareness of issues to the United Kingdom and Germany. Nearly 200 nuclear inform the development of such systems in Japan. power plants have already been shut down in countries Japan currently faces the particular issue of around the world, and more than 300 are expected to be decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear decommissioned by 2030. It can therefore be said that Power Plant where the 2011 accident occurred, and both Japan and the rest of the world have entered an era it will be critical to establish systems for managing of nuclear decommissioning. the damaged reactor as well as the decommissioning However, many residents in the areas where Japan’s of typical nuclear power plants. Considering the fact nuclear power plants are located remain unable to that there are differences in both the scale and social conceive the myriad “problems that occur during background of the Fukushima incident, I believe decommissioning” or the countermeasures to address it is also necessary to reexamine the systems for such problems. The United States and the former Soviet decommissioning the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl Union have already addressed the issues faced by local nuclear power plants as reference examples of efforts to communities for decades in conjunction with nuclear protect the corresponding “community” and “workers.”

−3− Multiculturalism obstacles in Japan, and the citizen-led initiatives model in Canada Lama Toyoda Visiting Researcher

Japan is a multicultural society comprising old- ground. On the other hand, many Westerners who have and new-comers, with almost 3 million registered achieved lower Japanese language level and are less foreigners. However, this number does not consider interested in integration, enjoy a favorable treatment the Japanese residents with foreign roots or the mixed- more along the lines of multiculturalism—the French blood. Many Koreans, Chinese, and Brazilians of community, for instance, and mostly French expatriates Japanese descent have been living in Japan for decades are treated differently from the Brazilians, North and and yet facing exclusion. Considering the future of South Koreans. This is probably due to the fact that Japan, respecting cultural diversity and assimilating France and Japan have enjoyed a very strong and minorities to play a constructive and effective progressive relationship spanning centuries through role are strongly required in a society insistent on collaboration via their respective senior representatives, maintaining ostensible homogeneity while suffering and strategic efforts and cultural exchanges. from various problems. There is a need for a concrete The acculturation strategy adopted for me as a person plan to embrace multiculturalism on the ground, and from the Middle East does not have a clear outline. the “Japanese vision” must confront the question of This is probably due to the geographical and historical how to create a multicultural society where people distance. In the beginning, I was treated with curiosity, of different nationalities, backgrounds and cultures which was followed by indifference; it culminated have equal rights. To investigate multiculturalism with huge relief after finding out that I am a liberal in Japan, I visited different foreign high schools and Muslim. Muslims in Japan are not discriminated institutions around Tokyo, and interviewed scholars against excessively, but they usually face difficulties and activists on the ground. I found out that Japan trying to defend themselves when faced with the as a society utilizes different acculturation strategies preconceived negative image of Islam broadcast by the for different cultural groups—for instance, with Japanese mass media. Conservative Muslims do not respect to the Brazilians of Japanese ethnic descent seek integration because they prefer segregation—they who migrated extensively to Japan in 1990 with the want to maintain an atmosphere of religious comfort help of the “dekasegi” visa, Japan tends to follow an and tranquility without infringing on the rights of exclusion strategy, leaving many of them marginalized, the majority. There are opposing beliefs between the despite the fact that most of them seek integration. two groups, and delving into these might lead to Similarly, but in a more racist manner, it has been discomfort and misunderstanding. In short, Muslim excluding the North Koreans descendants since the integration in the non-religious Japanese society is Second World War, and even now, the third or fourth difficult because it is unlike the Western and Canadian generation North Koreans have to tolerate hate speech, societies, not prepared to integrate with them; hence, discrimination, racism, and a condescending attitude. it simply responds to their desire for segregation and, South Koreans fare no better either—they are treated consequently, ignores their essential needs. as minorities, with a melting pot approach adopted Thus, based on all this, it is somewhat difficult to for their assimilation, but there is no guarantee from categorize Japan’s society-level acculturation strategy. society whether they will attain equal status on the This strategy is volatile, based on nationality, history

1-July 2020, online meeting to discuss multiculturalism and refugees’ problems, with Prof. Lilian Yamamoto (visiting lecturer at the University of Sao Paulo) and Prof. Yehia Almasri (assistant professor at Hyogo University) (left) 2-June 2019, field visit to the Tokyo Korean Junior & Senior High School, school festival, hate speech board, the Vice Chairman of the Union of Korean students in Japan, Ms. Waei Zheng (center) 3-January 2018, tomcod fishing at Sainte-Anne River in Quebec, Canada (right)

−4− and international relations, religion, and media social issues behind this, but to deal with it and take influence. a step forward as a multicultural society, I think it Furthermore, speaking of a related contemporary should be highlighted along with the current problems problem, Japan is one of the G7 countries who signed in Japanese society. From a practical perspective, the a commitment to promote human rights and assist positive impact of diversity on Japanese society can be refugees. However, the Japanese acculturation strategy emphasized by looking at Canada’s actual experience toward asylum seekers and refugees follows exclusion with multiculturalism. I am currently researching on and marginalization. There are different political and this, and I will summarize it in my coming newsletter.

(Joint research) “Study on ‘greening’ utilization of food waste compost in , ” Zhou Chensen Visiting Researcher (Associate professor) Lili Luo (Dean/Professor) and Yongqiang Zhao (Associate professor) Zhengzhou Normal University, School of Geography and Tourism

During my Regional Development Studies doctoral of Zhengzhou City raw garbage compost is one of program at the Toyo University Graduate School of the reasons why the city is heralded as a national Global and Regional Studies, I examined the supply- landscaping and green development city in China demand balance with respect to agricultural uses of with its high greening rate, and also has sufficient organic agricultural waste compost in Zhengzhou, potential demand for compost. In addition, community China, as well as obstacles to transportation for wide- development is also advantageous for realizing a area use. After obtaining my doctoral degree in 2011, thorough classification of food wastes; residents are I established a trading company in Japan and traded interested in the separation of food waste as well as organic fertilizers with well-known Japanese home how it is recycled and subsequently utilized. Field improvement goods retailers such as Joyful Honda, surveys have found that the use of food waste- Komeri Co., and Kohnan Shoji Co. I returned to China based compost also has support in sectors such as in 2014 and am currently working at Zhengzhou landscaping and green development. Normal University. This study targeted Zhengzhou City, and each Separate collection of household waste products has of Zhengzhou City (, , been carried out in Zhengzhou, China since December , Guancheng District, Huiji 1, 2019. The implementation of separate collection of District, Shangjie District, Zhengdong New District, food wastes (hereinafter referred to as general organic the Zhengzhou High & New Technology Industries household waste) will create new opportunities for Development Zone, the Economic and Technological recycling. Thus, at the request of the Zhengzhou Development Zone, and Airport District) was included City Development and Reform Committee, I began within the scope of the research area. After assuming my research on greening utilization analysis and the greening utilization of food waste-based compost economic evaluation of the composting of food wastes in the research area, we investigated the potential in Zhengzhou City. demand and supply, supply and demand balance, and Urban food waste is composted in a concentrated economic efficiency. Currently, the authors’ analysis manner, and greening activities (including gardens, of the supply-demand balance with respect to the lawns, flowers and ornamental plants, trees, and greening utilization of food waste compost has been nurseries) in the corresponding areas are believed to be completed, but research to compare the economic efficient, economical, and intensive recycling processes. efficiency and environmental load of the composting For the successful use of food waste-based composts, treatment system and existing food waste treatment the first step is to determine demand and understand facilities is still underway. supply availability. In addition, a comparison between In 2018, the total potential demand for compost for the compost resource recycling system and the green development purposes in Zhengzhou City was economic efficiency and environmental load of the approximately 439.43 thousand tons/year, the total existing food waste incineration system can also serve potential supply of food waste compost resources as a scientific basis for determining its establishment. was approximately 268.22 thousand tons/year, and According to a field survey, the population of the supply-demand ratio (potential demand/potential Zhengzhou currently exceeds 10 million people, and supply) was approximately 1.64. The amount of the daily volume of household waste generated in demand is larger than the amount of supply, and as this city is approximately 7,000 tons, of which a result, while the total quantity of food waste can approximately 35-40% is food waste. Currently, be applied to green development in urban areas, Zhengzhou City has two large food waste incineration there is a large deviation in the supply-demand ratio facilities and several landfills, with incineration and between each district. Of the Zhengzhou City districts, landfill-based sanitation mainly carried out after the Jinshui District had the lowest supply-demand ratio of collection of food wastes. Waste incineration generates approximately 0.87. The population of Jinshui District certain types of pollutants, and sanitary landfill currently exceeds 1.3 million, population density is disposal also causes many environmental problems high, the quantity of food waste generated is the largest such as water leaks and gas leaks. Greening utilization in the targeted area, and the supply of compost slightly

−5− exceeds the demand related to green development surrounding area as well. As such, we first proposed projects. Garbage compost in Jinshui District can to establish an experimental food waste composting support greening not only in this district but in the facility in Jinshui District.

Photograph of the Zhengzhou City Landfill Exchange with Japanese compost engineer Hiroto Kawasaki (on the right) in China

Zhengzhou Normal University

Introducing our new book Akira Kaneko Visiting Researcher

We would like to inform the readers of this newsletter stakeholders with them, we have decided to publish that Center for Sustainable Development Studies, Toyo the volumes as one book in English and made it easier University, is publishing an English book presenting to obtain the book by electronic publishing. For this our research results. The Center was established in 2001 reason, among the two most recent Japanese volumes and has conducted field-based research on contributing published, we have selected 10 field-based research to sustainable development in Asia and Africa. Since articles written by researchers at the Center and 2015, we have focused our efforts on conducting studies revised for the English edition. We sincerely hope that to achieve the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development many people will read the book. Goals (SDGs). In particular, the next decade will be The title will be Evidence-Based Knowledge to crucial for SDGs to be realized, and we will need to Achieve SDGs from field activities. It will be published share the results with numerous stakeholders. The by Asparabooks and available on Amazon in March achievements made to date have been published in 2021. seven volumes in Japanese. However, to familiarize

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