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Background and aims: The excellent physical and chemical properties of Abacá and Japan papers make them one of the most used materials in restoration of cultural assets on paper. The objective of this work is to characterize the fibers that compose them and identify plant genera or species that were used in their manufacture. M&M: Fibers from samples of each paper and previously collected reference plant material were disintegrated. The diagnostic characters of the fibers were observed with a photomicroscope and photomicrographs were taken. Subsequently, the homologous characters were compared by relating the Abacá paper fiber samples with those of Musa sp. and the Japan paper samples with Broussonetia sp. and Euonymus sp. Results: There were coincidences between the diagnostic characters of the paper fibers of Abacá and Musa sp. Regarding the Japan paper samples, there were results consistent with Broussonetia sp. but not with Euonymus sp. Conclusions: According to the results observed between the Abacá paper fibers and the samples of the collected living material, we infer that the Abacá paper contains fibers of Musa sp. In the Japan paper samples, the similarities observed between the diagnostic characters of the fibers with respect to the reference plant samples indicate the presence of Broussonetia sp. fibers. There is no evidence of fibers of Euonymus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associated with Japan, anime is an artistic-communicational language based on animation. While its definition is widely discussed, some authors agree that “anime may not necessarily denote animation from a specific country but rather indicates a way of positioning images and information onscreen and how viewers interact with them” (Brian Ruh). Particularly in Japan, after World War II, with the U.S. occupation and the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, a literary tendency is gestated on this traumatic scenario that relates adult failure, the destruction of the world and the survival of a group of young people impregnated with imported ideals linked to freedom and democracy, in a context in which tradition failed but did not disappear. Kill la Kill is an animated production that can be labeled in this trend: it introduces an extraterrestrial creature called Life Fiber, which has contributed to the development of humanity and now threatens to destroy it; a group of young people must fight it from different ideological fronts, except that the invader will also be an ally. This paper will analyze the thematic relations that occur in the encounter between humans and ‘life fibers’, starting from epistemological coordinates coming from posthumanist and transhumanist philosophy – Monica Cragnolini, Donna Haraway, Giorgio Agamben – and the representations constructed from the category of ‘monster’ – Julia Kristeva, Robin Wood, Jefrey Cohen –, that plurisignificant figure related to ‘the other’, characterized as different and that must be annihilated or assimilated. Who is the monster and in what way should it be confronted? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soundtracks and music are key elements of narrative and emotional expression in anime, which is a prominently popular animation genre. Nevertheless, the music used in the early decades of Japanese animation production does not have the same sonority and functionality that the music of contemporary anime. Thus, in this paper we analyze the music of the early years of Japanese animation, from the 30s to the 50s, focusing on its different functions, characteristics forms and techniques, the most representative composers, and the most remarkable animations works relative to their characteristic musical aspects. We will show how, in general, these soundtracks were highly influenced by the musical pieces of western animation that arrived in Japan during the period studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a two-dimensional sliding block model --discretized in slices- is presented, in which the geometrical, mechanical and rheological variables of the landslide are considered in order to analyse the soil landslide kinematic behaviour. The movement of the sliding mass is presented as a system of adjacent blocks; the movement strength is given by the Coulombviscous rheological model, where the friction and viscous components are considered, represented by a parallel system of a slider and a damper, respectively. The movement equation of the model corresponds to a second order differential equation, which was solved by the finite difference method, obtaining an explicit equation to know the displacement, velocity and acceleration of each block. An algorithm was developed in MATLAB® software, where movement equations were programmed to obtain results of the sliding kinematics. With the algorithm developed it was possible to make a sensitivity analysis to the parameters of the model. This was implemented in the problem of the sliding block at infinity slope, where it was possible to know the influence of each of the parameters of the model. The model has also been applied to the Hiegaesi landslide occurred in Japan in 1998, where the kinematic behaviour has been analysed in the model, regarding the records reported. However, further research is needed in order to apply the published model for prediction of the kinematic behaviour of landslides due to different limitations discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with El samurái de la Graflex, by Daniel Salinas Basave. The analysis focuses on the representation of a historical character of Japanese origin: Kingo Nonaka, whose figure represents the irruption of a culture that contrasts with the attitudes and ideosyncrasy of revolutionary Mexico. Non-aka concentrates elements that form the image of a Japan in transition towards modernity. Between meditation as a method for diving and fluency with a camera, Salinas Basave follows Nonaka in his wanderings and allows the reader to appreciate details of the history of the first half of the twentieth century from a perspective "alien" to the Mexican one, while building a space for reflection on writing and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role of the different agents in the process of translation of monographs. Specifically, this study focuses in publishers, translators and protranslators. The literary circulation from Japan to Spain is analyzed through paratexts and quantitative data obtained from a wide corpus that includes publications from 1904 to 2014. The results show a correlation between direct translation and the specialization of translators and publishers, and also the role of protranslators in literary circulation between cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first half of the 20th century, Japan launched an imperialist project in East Asia that transformed the region in many ways. By means of a historical and comparative analysis, this paper describes the economic activities of the Japanese in that period, directed not only to the mere extraction of resources, but also to the construction of infrastructure, the training of technical personnel and the creation of institutions and long-lasting international links. It also shows how all this was used favorably as a driving force in the industry of the region, and even in cases of economic growth that emulated the "Japanese miracle" after the Second World War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After more than 20 years of the first massive migrations of Peruvians to Japan, Peruvian women face challenges in raising the second generation of migrants in this country. In this context, this research tries to answer how these women re-define their motherhood. The migratory routes of women, their relationship between households, work and school are key in this re-conceptualization. Thus, this article shows that their migratory motivations, their gender roles as mothers and wives, and the different upbringings of their children are the main factors that question their concepts of motherhood as guiding mothers. This paper is based on a qualitative research, elaborated under an ethnographic methodology, carrying out fieldwork with Peruvian mothers living in Aichi prefecture, Japan between 2016 and 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Second World War, Japan began paying war reparations and instituted a strategy of international positioning - based on international cooperation activities - that aimed to ensure the supply of natural resources to its production and trade. Economic security became the target of Japanese cooperation. Japan soon became a major donor, whose strategy has been permeated by its interests. Taking a critical perspective, this paper analyses the evolution of the Japanese cooperation strategy, in particular the changes promoted by the prime minister, Shinzo Abe. Its starting point is a review of the stages of Japanese cooperation (emphasising the outside interference the country has had to respond to), the underpinning of which has shifted from the principle of economic security via the principle of human security to its present greater focus on strategic security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how Peru was benefited from Japan's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) between 1996 and 2005. For this purpose, we are including an econometric model which proves the effects of Japan's GDP, the variation in the wholesale price index in Peru, the GSP ratio and the trade indicator on non-traditional exports between both countries. This research is mainly focused on analyzing the behavior of agro-industrial and fishery products benefited from the GSP, through statistic charts displaying the trends in non-traditional trade. A survey was conducted among to the sixty largest exporters to Japan to determine the awareness and spreading of this tariff benefit system among Peruvian exporters of non-traditional products. To enhance this paper, we provide a matrix of potentials with a classification of Peruvian products exported to Japan in order to identify those that Peru might export according to demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the improvements and challenges that Japan has been facing between 1983 and 2007. The paper explores the interaction among the different stakeholders --i.e. the Japanese Government, international organizations and civil society- to advance full access to citizenship regarding gender equality, the elimination of social and physical barriers for the inclusion of people with disabilities and elderly persons; ethnic minorities --specifically the situation of the Ainu people and the Buraku community--and the persons considered as "foreigners" living in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Kyoto was founded in 794 when Emperor Kanmu decided to build a new capital of Japan and to leave the city of Nara. This paper traces the history of the foundation of Kyoto in relation to the normative principles of the Chinese city. For centuries, this urban model, with orthogonal axes, had constituted a major cultural reference for the construction of new cities in Japan. Today, the city of Kyoto preserves the old urban orthogonal structure and this contribution aims to propose a reflection on the influence of Chinese culture in Japan since 550 AD (Kofun period) and to consider the development of this culture over time and its current presence in urban form; especially religious architecture. The ideal model of the Chinese city, after 1200 years since the foundation of Kyoto, is preserved and constitutes a fundamental reference for the development of the contemporary city in strict relationship with the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes and comments on the main oral and written contributions submitted to "Question 95. Ageing and upgrading", which took place during the XXIV International Congress on Large Dams, held in Kyoto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes and summarizes the contributions submitted to "Question 92. Environmental friendly techniques for dams and reservoirs", which took place during the XXIV International Congress on Large Dams, held last June in Kyoto, Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Prohibition of Don't Look" is a psychoanalytic concept conceived in Japan, exemplified through myths, folk tales and clinical work, by Osamu Kitayama in 1985. This Prohibition proclaims a situation of being forbidden to see the separation-individuation process by the dependant person in a love-relationship, for example the son in the mother-son relationship. This may in later years create a complex love-relationship for the son vis-à-vis his love-object which maybe personified with guilt; and may also problematise the primary caretaker, i.e. the mother, through its mechanism of masochism in the mother. This paper examines the Prohibition of Don't Look in some of the Japanese folk tales and myths, while at the same time explores the application of the Prohibition in the Hindous context, deriving material from the clinical and the cultural contexts of India. Simultaneously it attempts to examine western and universal cross-cultural reflections on such related aspects revolving around shame, guilt and masochism, and its deeper psychological repercussions in the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on two unique cultural exhibitions (2005 and 2007) held in Morges, Switzerland. The main theme for these exhibitions was Asian martial arts with a focus on those from Japan, including presentations by notable masters in aikido, karate, judo, kyudo, iaido, kenjutsu, jodo, juttejutsu, kusarigamajutsu, naginatajutsu, tameshigiri, and kendo. On exhibit were artifacts from Morges Castle museum collections as well as numerous ancient objects borrowed specifically for these exhibitions from other Swiss museums and private collections. There was also a lecture on Japanese sword collecting and care, and presentations of Japanese dance, flower arranging (ikebana), the art of tea (châ no yu, châdo), paper folding (origami), traditional kimono dress, and detailed demonstrations on the manufacture of bladed weapons. Text and photography were arranged to record these events for this article, showing how excellent organization and cooperation can introduce high-quality martial traditions to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until today a utilitarian approach subsists to analyze the human effects of the process of economic-technological change called industrialization. In this essay we review the extraeconomic costs that this process has meant in the case of Japan, the second economic power of the global world, from a multidisciplinary perspective. We focus in the observable most recent phenomena in the social sphere that resulted from the reindustrialization of Japan under the regime of the Occupation led by the United States. In this paper we indicate if the USA's hegemony in Japan caused a development of most egalitarian and sustainable society in ecological terms, or, on the contrary a market society serving the best interest of USA dependent and incapable to contribute to the formation of a market society centered on world-wide scale in Eastern Asia and based on a greater equality between the civilizations of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was written after a research analyzing and taking into consideration the success factors of the competitiveness of the Japanese management systems in corporations with or without Japanese capital. The statistic research shows that there is a relationship of cause and effect between Japanese management practices and corporations with Japanese capital. The best Japanese corporations know how to target the consumers' needs and have developed new competitive advantages adopting and implementing the appropriate strategies in their business framework. These are precisely the corporations that show and lead the Japanese industrial power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]