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In recent years, there has been a growing demand in Japan for efficient knowledge and technology transfer from veteran workers to younger workers and for improved productivity against the backdrop of labor shortages and aging populations in the nursing care and manufacturing industries. Conventional digital twin systems have focused on sensor data, and have been working to improve operational efficiency in digital space based on the collected sensor data. Therefore, we propose the concept of a Human Centric Digital Twin that captures human awareness and context in cyberspace, and utilizes human awareness and thought by machine sensors and human sensors. This knowledge generated by humans themselves contains a lot of contexts, which is difficult to incorporate in conventional DX methods. In many cases, the knowledge that workers in the field have is context-dependent and dynamic, unlike the formal knowledge described in manuals. Therefore, the cost of converting "Gen-Ba Knowledge" into formal knowledge as it is high, and has prevented its utilization. We have developed "kNowledge eXplication AugmenteR (kNeXaR)" and "Smart Voice Messaging System (SVMS)" as methods and tools to support structuring human awareness and thoughts. kNeXaR is a knowledge structuring method and tool for procedurally describing dynamic knowledge such as tasks in a goal-oriented manner while maintaining human readability and machine readability. SVMS is able to collect onsite knowledge in the form of spoken words, which is difficult to collect in the past. Using a smartphone, workers in the field can voice record what they notice and think about while working. In many cases, the messages obtained during the work are recorded with the purpose of the work, the content of the work, what they thought about what they observed in light of their own experience, and unusual situations. In this paper, while introducing the respective functions of kNeXaR and SVMS, we introduce the concept of implementing the Human Centric Digital Twin, which is a structured knowledge component based on messages from SVMS that collects work and observations in the field. We propose a method to dynamically create "Structured Knowledge Snippets", which are parts of structured knowledge, based on messages from SVMS, and to construct structured knowledge in a workshop using kNeXaR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview and critical evaluation of a 7-week elective course at a computer science university in Japan. The course teaches undergraduate learners of English to use online English corpora to access information about patterns of language use that can help them answer their own questions and apply new insights to their English speaking and writing in ways that are more appropriate to their contexts of use. Examples of relevant data include the normalized frequencies of near-synonyms, pairs of strongly collocated words and frequent grammatical patterns in which key words appear. The course overview is supplemented with discussion of particular activity examples and resources which teachers can use to develop their own in-class exercises using authentic language data. These activities are evaluated critically via in-class observations made by the teacher as well as student feedback on the course. These evaluations suggest that students see this type of course as relevant and beneficial for improving their language learning, although improvements in the form of clearer instructions, applications of corpus-derived knowledge to writing assignments, and more objective assessment criteria are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing the 21st century, it is important to not only develop global competences but also local competences of students. Global competences are too general to address a problem bound by the local context and thus such problem requires more specific local competences. In this paper, the local competences are identified as being related to the practical problem solving, the collaboration, utilization of local resources, and an initiative within the community. This paper discusses how the local competences are realized through the case of Shobara city in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Especially, in the mathematics education perspective, problem-solving and model eliciting activities could be core where the local contexts and data can be utilized to describe the local problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the increase of online learning platforms, obtaining learning behavior data from students, are becoming easy. However, analyzing the data to extract meaningful information remains challenging due to the data volume and complexity. Here, we apply Self-organizing Maps (SOM) to visualize the learning characteristics of many elementary students over many online assignments in mathematics class. As a case study, this research used the data log of MONSAKUN, a digital learning environment that focuses on exercising arithmetic using story-based questions by using a problem-posing approach with the integration of mathematical sentences. Our primary objective is to give intuitive understanding to the teachers regarding the students' performance that subsequently allows the teachers to generate meaningful advices. Here, SOM generates a two-dimensional map that preserved the topological order of high-dimensional learning characteristics data, in which students with similar learning characteristics are located close to each other, while students with significantly different characteristics are distanced from each other. We are interested especially in locating low-performing students, as they are the most important to be given advice by the teachers. By locating the low-performing students and other students in their vicinity on the map, the teacher may be able to use other students as references for improving the low-performing students' performances. The idea is to mimic the learning characteristics of the students designated as references. Due to the learning characteristics similarity, the low-performing students do not need to make drastic changes in their learning styles. It can be expected that by iterating this process over many assignments, the students' performances will gradually be improved. In this paper, we utilized a digital learning platform MONSAKUN, for learning arithmetic used in Japan. In this paper, we present our preliminary results in the form a learning-visualization of characteristics students of analytical and advisory tools and described our future goals for building a more flexible and general tool that can be deployed in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the simplified method for evaluating the seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings following The Japan Building Disaster Prevention Association standard. In this method, the seismic performance of RC buildings was described in lateral strength and ductility indexes of vertical members such as columns, short columns, and masonry walls. The simplified method was applied to assess the seismic performance of an existing building that survived the September 2009 West Sumatra earthquake. The evaluated building was a three-story RC building that used brick masonry walls as the infill. The shear stress of the brick infill was obtained based on the test results on the RC frame with brick infill under static lateral load. The analysis reveals the seismic performance of the building as the reason that the building could survive the earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in sensor technology have made the bridge security supervising system automated in real-time. Many long-span bridges in Korea and Japan have implemented this system of real-time security surveillance. In this, a new concept is implemented in the bridge security supervising system. TCP/IP wireless network is tested for a short distance (among bridge sensors) and CDMA is tested for long-distance (between bridge and management center) data communication. (3) A dynamic database which stores bridge condition data; (4) a cloud-based system that monitors and evaluates transmitted information from the control systems. This system consists of: (1) Bridge environmental control system installed; (2) Bridges management system connecting cloud-based communication systems as well as cloud-based servers. This technology monitors as well as monitors in real time the circumstances of a bridge as well as its environment, including local water flows, pipelines, air conditioning, as well as other safety conditions. For the real-time supervision of the bridge situations the data and images observed are transmitted to the server via cellular telecommunication systems as well as the database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese government permitted to install PV, named Agrivoltaic, on a running farm by 2013. The purposes of this commission are securing land for renewable energy installation and increasing new, young farmer. This paper clarifies both optimized Agrivoltaic structure and Agrivoltaic introduction potential. The structure optimization is considered as 3 dimensional using 3D-CAD and agricultural crop growth program is simulated to evaluate the effect of sunlight shading on PV. Agrivoltaic introduction potential assessment involved installation environment geographical data (like radiation strength, ground strength, distance to neighbors, and amount of snowing) This paper utilized geographical information system for topological assessment. These processes evaluate current and future Agrivoltaic installation potential following multi criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we construct a system of differential equations that faithfully describe actual data of foot-andmouth disease in Miyazaki, Japan in 2010. For the purpose, we improved the traditional SIR model which is well-known as a mathematical model for the influenza epidemic. We propose a modified SIR model which approximates accurately the behavior of the actual data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent recurrences of mega tsunamis in the Asian region have rekindled concern regarding potential tsunamis that could inflict severe damage to affected coastal facilities and communities. The 11 March 2011 Fukushima tsunami that crippled nuclear power plants in Northern Japan has further raised the level of caution. The recent discovery of petroleum reserves in the coastal water surrounding Malaysia further ignites the concern regarding tsunami hazards to petroleum facilities located along affected coasts. Working in a group, federal government agencies seek to understand the dynamics of tsunami and their impacts under the coordination of the Malaysian National Centre for Tsunami Research, Malaysian Meteorological Department. Knowledge regarding the generation, propagation and runup of tsunami would provide the scientific basis to address safety issues. An in-house tsunami simulation models known as TUNA has been developed by the authors to assess tsunami hazards along affected beaches so that mitigation measures could be put in place. Capacity building on tsunami simulation plays a critical role in the development of tsunami resilience. This paper aims to first provide a simple introduction to tsunami simulation towards the achievement of tsunami simulation capacity building. The paper will also present several scenarios of tsunami dangers along affected Malaysia coastal regions via TUNA simulations to highlight tsunami threats. The choice of tsunami generation parameters reflects the concern following the Fukushima tsunami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The counter effects of the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station are discussed in this paper. Though decommission and remediation have been conducted in the facility and surrounding area, ninety thousand residences near the facility are still under the evacuation order. Four nuclear power units have already restarted under the new regulatory framework, but two of them in Fukui prefecture stop the operation due to the provisional disposition declared by Ohtsu district court in Shiga prefecture. Reinforcement of the latter layer of the defense in depth has been improved in many ways. The improvement of decision-making process is very important in latter layers of the defense in depth, in contrast the plant behaviors are automatically decided based on their design in the prior layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic studies of cosmic rays in Japan were started when the Nishina Laboratory was established in Riken in 1931, after Nishina came back from the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. He was already known as an author of Klein-Nishina formula. He spent a great deal of effort to spread modern physics in Japan, inviting Dirac and Heisenberg to give series of lectures at the university of Tokyo, which later established the strong group of theoretical physicists including Yukawa, Tomonaga, Sakata and others. He also spent a great deal of effort in comprehensive studies of cosmic-rays including the precise measurements of the mass of mesons, of the intensity at the deepest underground of 3000 m.w.e., and of other research to be discussed. It is to be noted that the encouragement by the theoretical group of Yukawa, Tomonaga and others stimulated the recovery of the research after World War II in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the free vibration analysis of the Functionally Grade Material (FGM) in a circular plate using the DST-BK element. FGM is a new type of composite material and was introduced in 1984 in Japan. This material consists of two or more materials and is very resistant to a high-temperature environment. The DST-BK element is a triangular element that can be used to analyze thick to thin plate problems. This element is free of shear locking, passes a patch test, and gives good results in the isotropic plate problem. The FGM circular plate's free vibration is evaluated using this element with two different Radius thickness (R/h) ratios and three mesh configurations. The results show that the DST-BK element yields good results compared to the reference solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superconducting tokamak JT-60SA is part of the Broader Approach Programmeagreed between Japan and Europe. CEA is in charge of the cryogenic system procurementincluding the Warm Compression Station, the gas storages, the Refrigerator Cold Box andthe Auxiliary Cold Box (ACB) which has to be installed on the JAEA Naka site in 2016.This paper summarizes the updated cryogenic requirements for the tokamak JT-60SAcryogenic system. The cryogenic system has a refrigeration capacity of about 9 kW equivalent at 4.5K, to supply cryopump panels at 3.7 K, superconducting magnets and cold structures at 4.4 K, HTS current leads at 50 K, and thermal shields at 80 K. This paper presents the static and variable heat loads of the different cooling loops and the results of the rmohydraulic calculations to derive the transient heat loads at the interface between the magnet system cooling loops and the Auxiliary Cold Box. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formed a GRB cosmology project in Japan, and promote the observational cosmology with Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). In this paper, we introduce recent result of our project with the spectral Epeak-Luminosity relations. We show the Hubble diagram up to the redshift of z = 8.2, and the confidence contour of the dark energy (ΩΛ) and the dark matter (Ωm) beyond z>2 beyond the current range measured by the Type Ia supernovae. After that, we investigate the origin of data dispersion of the Epeak-brightness relations, and suggest a possible improvement of their accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

XMASS is a multi-purpose experiment using a single-phase liquid xenon scintillator located underground at the Kamioka Observatory in Japan. Thanks to the high light yield of liquid xenon and stable data taking for more than 5 years, we have published many physics results not limited to but including two-neutrino double electron capture on 124Xe, axions and various kinds of dark matter searches. In this paper, we discuss the latest results from the XMASS experiment focused on the direct direction of dark matter search via annual modulation with 2.7 years of XMASS-I data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method to predict mechanical failure-mechanicsm. This method is capable of predicting failure mechanism of diverse geo-hazards, such as landslides, rock slope failures, etc. The method uses the displacement or strain divergence phenomenon in the fatal phase of failure to predict failure mechanism irrespective of failure mechanism, lithology and other parameters. Using the proposed method (RocSlope), prediction of failure mechanism of case histories was done (Rock mass failure and landslides) and laboratory studies (creep tests). In most cases, safe predictions were obtained. RocSlope, is a simple, quick and reliable practical method that revealed independency to volume of failure, lithology and failure mechanism. In addition, two empirical relations to estimate the terminal phase of failure and the critical deformation rate were developed, these practical relations complement the RocSlope method. This research will analysed rock orginally from a cool temperate region in West Hokkaido,Japan was presented. A rock slope deformations of jointed- chert rock were monitored using six surface fracturedisplacement sensors. Some movements that could be related to joint growth were observed. With the RocSlope, rock mass and rock deformations were numerically analysed and joints deformations were dominantly caused by thermal fatigue. Affects of the minor freezing on deformation of rock slope can be seen were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field, condenser water is used to remove heat from the refrigerant cycle and is cooled at cooling towers. Due to the high operating temperatures of 29°C to 38°C, the condenser water cycle is vulnerable to operating issues such as scaling, corrosion and microbiological proliferation; which can be mitigated through either chemical or non-chemical treatment methods. In this paper, the chemical and non-chemical treatment methods for condenser water treatment in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are compared in terms of efficiency (scaling, corrosion and microbiological proliferation control) and environmental impact. The efficiency of one chemical treatment system (descalant) and three non-chemical treatment systems (Merus Ring, Power Pulsed and Ultra Low Frequency) are investigated by taking condenser water samples from the cooling tower basins biweekly for three months to characterize for pH, water alkalinity, iron content, chloride content, total dissolved solids (TDS) content, electrical conductivity and water hardness, which are compared to the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association Standards (JRA-GL-02-1994) and applied to the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI) and Practical (Puckorious) Scaling Index (PSI) to predict the scale formation in condenser water samples. The temperature differences between chilled waters for all systems investigated are recorded to relate the characterized parameters to chiller efficiency. The environmental impacts for all systems investigated are assessed by focusing on the operational stage of all system where the main source of environmental damage is due to the electrical consumption by the HVAC systems. The results yield that all systems investigated comply to the industrial standards. LSI and RSI proved that all condenser waters are saturated with calcium ions but PSI proved that scale formations in the systems investigated are unlikely as the scales are likely to remain dissolved in the condenser water. Consistent temperature differences of chilled water are observed throughout the research period which show that the performance of chillers in each system are optimal, which proves that non-chemical treatment systems are as efficient (in terms of corrosion, scaling and microbial activity control) as chemical treatment system. Environmental impact analysis concluded that chemical treatment system has the highest annual equivalent CO2 emission per cooling capacity of 868.30 kg CO2 e/year RT and that two of the chemicals used causes damage to the aquatic environment. Thus, non-chemical treatment systems have lesser environmental impact than chemical treatment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermophotovoltaic (TPV) research activity in Japan has prospered from the second half of the 90s. In this paper, we will present an overview of TPV research activities in Japan. TPV technologies have been surveyed by research committees in NEDO as a part of the research activity of the New Sunshine Project. The TPV is considered as a new application of non-conventional solar cells, and the situation of TPV technologies, especially TPV cells, in USA and EU is surveyed. Systematic investigative research on TPV systems was performed by ENAA on FY1997 and 1998. In this investigative research on potential market for a TPV power source in Japan has been focused on how TPV can contribute to energy conservation and environmental protection and harmony, compared with conventional engine or turbine generators and underdeveloped power generation technologies such as fuel cells or chemical batteries, etc. In addition to the investigative research, the technical research activities are introduced in this paper. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examined the correlation between the number of blood donors and the number of crimes in 10 cities near Osaka, Japan. By defining the characteristics of each city, I defined indices that remarkably show its characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the activities of Japanese women researchers over time, we examined the numbers of men and women who entered and left the Japan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP) from 1980 to 2016. We found that women’s membership rates decreased more than men’s for members in their 30s and 40s, probably due to life events such as childbirth or child care. This result implies the severe circumstances women researchers in Japan face to survive professionally. This result corresponds to the recent survey of women researchers who have difficulty in holding on to research positions in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we propose a Bayesian method for analyzing unemployment dynamics. We derive a Beveridge curve for unemployment and vacancy (U-V) analysis from a Bayesian model based on a labor market matching function. In our framework, the efficiency of matching and the elasticities of new hiring with respect to unemployment and vacancy are regarded as time varying parameters. To construct a flexible model and obtain reasonable estimates in an underdetermined estimation problem, we treat the time varying parameters as random variables and introduce smoothness priors. The model is then described in a state space representation, enabling the parameter estimation to be carried out using Kalman filter and fixed interval smoothing. In such a representation, dynamic features of the cyclic unemployment rate and the structural-frictional unemployment rate can be accurately captured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent work has brought about a renewed interest in CO2 laser ablation studies of polyoxymethylene, due to its potential as a test target for enhancing modern understanding of the laser ablation process. In this paper, new results taken in air at atmosphere pressure are reported, including data measured at institutions in Germany and Japan, which increase the body of literature data on CO2 laser ablation of polyoxymethylene. The results are discussed in terms of aerospace parameters such as the momentum coupling coefficient and specific impulse, and are compared to a previous literature study. The threshold fluence is specified for ablation of polyoxymethylene by CO2 laser radiation. Fluences higher (and lower) than previously tested for CO2 laser ablation were studied herein, and record specific impulse values for CO2 laser ablation of flat polyoxymethylene are also reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, after the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, applications of anti-seismic systems have been much progressed. New design codes for base-isolated buildings were enacted in 2000. The objects of seismic isolation technologies expanded. The seismic isolation began to be used for structures such as high-rise building, artificial grounds for multiple buildings and cultural heritages, in addition to normal office buildings and residential ones. The seismic isolation also began to be used for industrial buildings such as semiconductor manufacturing factories which contain very sensitive equipment. This paper describes the current status of development and application of antiseismic systems to buildings, cultural heritage and industrial facilities in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For middle-high rise buildings, vibration controlled structures to reduce the damage of main frames are recently becoming general in Japan. A steel material damper is low price and excellent in the energy absorption efficiency at a large earthquake. Though the exchange of the dampers are necessary when an excessive accumulation of plasticity deformation occurs, a steel material damping system, which received an excessive accumulation of plasticity deformation after a large earthquake, can recover a seismic-proof performance and property value of the building after the replacement. In the paper, shear yielding steel panel dampers installed in the web of a beam connected with high tension bolt joint is introduced. This damper is made of low-yield point steel, and the advantages of this system are low cost, easy-production and easy-replacement. For this steel panel damper, the finite element method (FEM) analysis using the shell element model adjusted to 1/2 of 6.4 m beam span is executed to make the design most effective. Yielding property of the beam installing this damper, shape of the splice plate and the bolt orientation for the connecting are examined in this analysis. As a result, we found that the plastic strain extends uniformly to the entire damping panel when making the splice plate a trapezoidal shape. The basic performance confirmation examination was also done using the real scale examination model besides the FEM analysis, and the performance of the system was confirmed. In addition, design of a high rise building in which the steel shear-yielding panel dampers and oil dampers were adopted without disturbing an architectural plan is also introduced [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremely low emittance electron beams are necesarry for new generation accelerators. The value of the required emittances is as low as 0.1 π.mm.mrad. NEA-type photocathodes have an intrinsic advantage for generating such a low emittance beam. In this paper, emittance measuremets of photelectrons extracted from two different NEA phtocahtodes are described. The measurements were carried out using Nagoya University 200kV polarized electron source. The normalized RMS emittances of bulk-GaAs and GaAs-GaAsP superlattice strained photocathodes are as low as 0.12–0.17 ± 0.02 π.mm.mrad and 0.09 ± 0.01 π.mm.mrad with very low charge density, respectively. © 2007 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At Tohoku University, experiments of Laser-driven In-Tube Accelerator (LITA) have been carried out. In order to observe the initial state of plasma and blast wave, the visualization experiment was carried out using the shadowgraph method. In this paper, dependency of initial plasma size on LITA performance is investigated numerically. The plasma size is estimated using shadowgraph images and the numerical results are compared with the experimental data of pressure measurement and results of previous modeling. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, several laser propulsion vehicles have been launched successfully. But these vehicles remained in a very low subsonic flight. Laser-driven In-Tube Accelerator (LITA) is developed as unique laser propulsion system at Tohoku University. In this paper, flow characteristics and momentum coupling coefficients are studied numerically in the supersonic condition with the same configuration of LITA. Because of the aerodynamic drag, the coupling coefficient could not get correctly especially at the low energy input. In this study, the coupling coefficient was calculated using the concept of the effective impulse. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building a house in urban area is very costly and also leaving a bunch amount of construction waste. Many efforts were made to reduce the load of this waste. However, the high demand of residences in metropolitan makes the waste problem needs to be solved together. Based on this problem, author chooses Omah, - a Javanese traditional house, which is built, based on the traditional system of life of Javanese people - displacement from rural to urban area as the alternative solution, as it uses selected materials from nature by considering the sustainability and preservation for future generation. The wooden building is built based on traditional construction system that follows Javanese principles and traditional calculation, based on philosophy and cosmology in the community. This paper will covers utilization of Omah in urban area as an implementation of green design, which refers to the concepts of reuse, reduce, recycle and responsibility. Through expert interviews and field surveys in urban and rural areas, author collected data needed for this paper. Although the functionality of the building is different from rural to urban requirements, the phenomenon of Omah displacement from Javanese habitat to urban living area is well accepted and becomes an interesting trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese economy has fallen into a long downturn called "The Lost Two Decades" after the collapse of bubble economy in early 1990s. Many companies could not gain competitive advantages although they conducted various management reforms to restore their competitiveness. The companies that have played the main role of the Japanese economy growth until then have lost the sustained competitive advantage. Moreover, they have struggled in the global market even now. On the other hand, Japanese automobile companies have high competitiveness and market share due to their advanced technology development. It is considered that personnel groups engaged in research and development of their companies cannot turn into core rigidity and the structure also hinders new core capabilities. In addition, there is a hypothesis that the close relationships with many suppliers contribute to acquisition of competitive advantage. Therefore, this paper focuses on the collaboration relationships with suppliers and core rigidity of human resources related to research and development as the analysis factors. First, we analyze the composition and core rigidity degree of human resources involved in technology development by social network analysis using patent information, which represents the research and development capability. Second, we analyze the degree of collaboration among companies based on the hypothesis that advanced technology development can be executed by joint research and developments with many kinds of suppliers. As a result, features of close collaboration with suppliers and high core rigidity rate in the Japanese automobile industry are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powerful earthquakes stuck Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures in Kyushu, Japan. It began with the Magnitude 6.5 foreshock at 21:26 JST 14 April, followed by the Magnitude 7.3 mainshock at 1:25 JST 16 April, 2016. The sequence earthquakes also involved more than 1700 perceptible earthquakes as of 13 June. The entire sequence was named the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Thousands of buildings and many roads were damaged, and landslides occurred. The Japanese building standard law is revised in 1981. Structural damages were concentrated on buildings constructed prior to 1981. The area of Mashiki and Southern Aso were most badly affected, especially wooden houses extremely damaged. In Japan, Prof. Hideyuki Tada (title at the time) undertook research on laminated rubber bearings in 1978, and put it into practical use in 1981. The single family house at Yachiyodai, Chiba Prefecture is completed in 1983, it's the first seismically isolated building which is installed laminated rubber bearings in Japan. Afterward, this system is gradually adopted to mainly office buildings, like a research laboratory, a hospital, a computer center and other offices. In the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 1995 Kobe earthquake and 2011 Tohoku earthquake, seismically isolated buildings improve these good performances, and recently number of the buildings have increased, mainly high risk area of earthquakes. Many people believed that Kumamoto was a low risk area. But there were 24 seismically isolated buildings in Kumamoto Prefecture at the time. The seismically isolated buildings indicated excellent performances during the earthquakes. They protected people, buildings and other important facilities from damages caused by the earthquake. The purpose of this paper is to discuss lessons learned from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and behavior of seismically isolated buildings in the earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Course evaluation by questionnaire is the most popular assessment tool for the faculty development of University in Japan. However, many universities do not fully utilize the result of these questionnaires. Usually, traditional statistical tools such as average or standard deviation are used to analyze the questionnaires. Recently, more advanced statistical tools are available and many of them come from the field of machine learning. We thus tried to analyze the course evaluation questionnaire using the advanced statistical tools. In this paper, the questionnaires obtained at National Defense Academy of Japan were analyzed. This questionnaire has been conducted for 10 years history to more than thousand cadets, but the questionnaires have not been analyzed up to the present. This study analyzed and evaluated the reliability of the class questionnaire through the statistical analysis. As a result, potential factors and their relationship were discovered in a questionnaire using Structural Equation Modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superconducting tokamak JT-60 Super Advanced (JT-60SA) is part of the Broader Approach Programme agreed between Europe and Japan. Among other in kind contributions, CEA is in charge of supplying the Cryogenic System which includes a Warm Compression Station, the Refrigerator Cold Box, the Auxiliary Cold Box, a compressed air station and the vacuum systems. The cryogenic system requires a refrigeration capacity of about 8 kW equivalent at 4.5 K. It will supply cryopump panels at 3.7 K, superconducting magnets and cold structures at 4.4 K, HTS current leads at 50 K, and thermal shields between 80 K and 100 K. The contract for design, manufacture, installation and commissioning was signed between CEA and Air Liquide Advanced Technologies (AL-AT) in November 2012. The Cryogenic System shall be operational in 2016. The paper presents the main technical requirements and the limit of supply, the description of the process proposed by AL-AT, the main components, the preliminary layout and the interfaces at the JT-60SA Naka site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cesium (Cs)-seeded RF-driven H- ion source using an internal-antenna is under development for the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The J-PARC second-stage requirements are an H- ion beam current of 60 mA within normalized emittances of 1.5 πmm·mrad both horizontally and vertically and a flat top beam duty factor of 1.25% (500 μs × 25 Hz). An H- ion beam current of 77.5 mA with a flat top duty factor of 2% (800 μs × 25 Hz), whose approximately 90% (corresponding to approximately 70 mA) of each emittance is within 1.5 πmm·mrad, is successfully extracted from it. The experimental results of axial magnetic field (AMF) optimization with an axial magnetic field correction (AMFC) coil, which significantly enhances the H- ion beam current by 10% typically, are presented in this paper. Although it is reported that the plasma density and the beam current are enhanced by an AMF of more than 160 G in an RF-driven H- ion source of Tohoku University, the physical phenomenon seems to be different form the J-PARC source beam enhancement, since there is the optimal field strength of much lower value (approximately 60 G) in the J-PARC source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an interesting sequence of harmonic tremor observed in the 2011 eruption of Shinmoe-dake volcano, southern Japan. The main eruptive activity started with ashcloud forming explosive eruptions, followed by lava effusion. Harmonic tremor was transmitted into the ground and observed as seismic waves at the last stage of the effusive eruption. The tremor observed at this stage had unclear and fluctuating harmonic modes. In the atmosphere, on the other hand, many impulsive acoustic waves indicating small surface explosions were observed. When the effusion stopped and the erupted lava began explosive degassing, harmonic tremor started to be transmitted also to the atmosphere and observed as acoustic waves. Then the harmonic modes became clearer and more stable. This sequence of harmonic tremor is interpreted as a process in which volcanic degassing generates an open connection between the volcanic conduit and the atmosphere. In order to test this hypothesis, a laboratory experiment was performed and the essential features were successfully reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last years, two cyanate ester epoxy blends supplied by European and US industry have been successfully qualified for the ITER TF coil insulation. The results of the qualification of a third CE blend supplied by Industrial Summit Technology (IST, Japan) will be presented in this paper. Sets of test samples were fabricated exactly under the same conditions as used before. The reinforcement of the composite consists of wrapped R-glass / polyimide tapes, which are vacuum pressure impregnated with the resin. The mechanical properties of this material were characterized prior to and after reactor irradiation to a fast neutron fluence of 2×1022m-2 (E>0.1 MeV), i.e. twice the ITER design fluence. Static and dynamic tensile as well as static short beam shear tests were carried out at 77 K. In addition, stress strain relations were recorded to determine the Young's modulus at room temperature and at 77 K. The results are compared in detail with the previously qualified materials from other suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) in Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) especially on Fukushima Nuclear Accident will be discussed in this paper. The Tohoku earthquake triggered the shutdown of nuclear power reactors at Fukushima Nuclear Power station. Though shutdown process has been completely performed, cooling process, at much smaller level than in normal operation, is needed to remove decay heat from the reactor core until the reactor reach cold-shutdown condition. If LOCA happen at this condition, it will cause the increase of reactor fuel and other core temperatures and can lead to reactor core meltdown and exposure of radioactive material to the environment such as in the Fukushima Dai Ichi nuclear accident case. In this study numerical simulation has been performed to calculate pressure composition, water level and temperature distribution on reactor during this accident. There are two coolant regulating system that operational on reactor unit 1 at this accident, Isolation Condensers (IC) system and Safety Relief Valves (SRV) system. Average mass flow of steam to the IC system in this event is 10 kg/s and could keep reactor core from uncovered about 3,2 hours and fully uncovered in 4,7 hours later. There are two coolant regulating system at operational on reactor unit 2, Reactor Core Isolation Condenser (RCIC) System and Safety Relief Valves (SRV). Average mass flow of coolant that correspond this event is 20 kg/s and could keep reactor core from uncovered about 73 hours and fully uncovered in 75 hours later. There are three coolant regulating system at operational on reactor unit 3, Reactor Core Isolation Condenser (RCIC) system, High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) system and Safety Relief Valves (SRV). Average mass flow of water that correspond this event is 15 kg/s and could keep reactor core from uncovered about 37 hours and fully uncovered in 40 hours later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima disaster is the largest nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, but it is more complex as multiple reactors and spent fuel pools are involved. The severity of the nuclear accident is rated 7 in the International Nuclear Events Scale. Expert said that "Fukushima is the biggest industrial catastrophe in the history of mankind". According to Mitsuru Obe, in The Wall Street Journal, May 16th of 2011, TEPCO estimates the nuclear fuel was exposed to the air less than five hours after the earthquake struck. Fuel rods melted away rapidly as the temperatures inside the core reached 2800 C within six hours. In less than 16 hours, the reactor core melted and dropped to the bottom of the pressure vessel. The information should be evaluated in detail. In Germany several nuclear power plant were shutdown, Italy postponed it's nuclear power program and China reviewed their nuclear power program. Different news come from Britain, in October 11, 2011, the Safety Committee said all clear for nuclear power in Britain, because there are no risk of strong earthquake and tsunami in the region. Due to this severe fact, many nuclear scientists and engineer from all over the world are looking for a new approach, such as homogeneous reactor which was developed in Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1960-ies, during Dr. Alvin Weinberg tenure as the Director of ORNL. The paper will describe the design requirement that will be used as the basis for innovative homogeneous reactor. Innovative Homogeneous Reactor is expected to reduce core melt by two decades (4), since the fuel is intermix homogeneously with coolant and secondly we eliminate the used fuel rod which need to be cooled for a long period of time. In order to be successful for its implementation of the innovative system, testing and validation, three phases of development will be introduced. The first phase is Low Level Goals is really the proof of concept;the Medium Level Goal is Technical Goalsand the High Level Goals which is Business Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 170 GHz Electron Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive (ECH/CD) system on KSTAR is designed to launch total 2.4 MW of power for up to 300 sec into the plasma. At present the first 1 MW ECH/CD system is under installation and commissioning for 2011 KSTAR campaign. The 170 GHz, 1 MW, 300 sec gyrotron and the matching optics unit (MOU) will be provided from JAEA under collaboration between NFRI and JAEA. The transmission line consists of MOU and 70 m long 63.5 mm ID corrugated waveguides with the eight miter bends. The 1 MW, 10 sec launcher is developed based on the existing two-mirror front-end launcher in collaboration with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Pohang University of Science and Technology, and is installed on the low field side in the KSTAR equatorial plane. The mirror pivot is located at 30 cm below from the equatorial plane. 3.6 MVA power supply system is manufactured and now is under commissioning to meet the triode gun operation of JAEA gyrotron. The power supply consists of 66 kV/55 A cathode power supply, mode-anode system, and 50 kV/160 mA body power supply. In this paper, the current status of KSTAR 170 GHz, 1 MW ECH/CD system will be presented as well as the experimental plan utilizing 170 GHz new ECH/CD system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new compact accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system has been installed in the Kaminoyama research institute at Yamagata University. The AMS system is based on a 0.5 MV Pelletron accelerator developed by National Electrostatics Corp. The performance of the system was investigated using C series samples (C1-C8), standard samples (HOxII), and reagent graphite without any chemical treatment. The precision of 14C measurements for the standard samples is typically higher than 0.3%. The ratio of 14C to 12C is less than 6×10-16 for the reagent graphite. In this paper, we present the performance of the new compact AMS system, as well as of the fully automated 20-reactor graphite lines equipped at the research institute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently in Japan, there is growing interest in scientific literacy and education on it. In order to make various people to learn scientific literacy, we, the faculty members of the universities in Nagoya, established an organization, Nagoya Science Literacy Forum. We have hosted events as to scientific literacy and science experiments for students, faculty members, and the general public. In these events, we give them opportunities to learn scientific literacy and consider it with enjoying the science experiments. In this article, we show firstly an outline of education on scientific literacy in Japan, and then introduce our activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermonuclear ignition and subsequent burn are key physics for achieving laser fusion. In fast ignition, a highly compressed fusion fuel generated with multiple ns-laser beams is rapidly heated with a large energy, ps-laser pulse in prior to core disassembly. This scheme has a high potential to achieve ignition and burn since driver energy required for high fusion gain is predicted to be about one tenth of that needed for the central ignition scheme. In Japan, Fast Ignition Realization Experiment (FIREX) project has been started to clarify the physics of energy transport and deposition in the core plasma and to demonstrate fuel temperature of above 5 keV. After the success, FIREX-I will be followed by the second phase of the project (FIREX-II) to demonstrate ignition and burn. LFEX laser, designed to deliver a laser pulse of 10 kJ in 10 ps, are operational and the first phase of FIREX experiments has been stated. A new target is proposed to attain dense compression of fuel and improve laser-core coupling efficiency by adopting double-cone structure, a low-density inner liner, low-Z outer coating, and Br-doped fuel shell. In this paper, present status and near term prospects of the FIREX-I project will be reported together with activities on target designing, laser development, and plasma diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid decrease in younger population, Japanese universities/colleges have to face the challenging task of how to reach the annual quota for incoming students. The admission criteria are debased and students with a broad variety of scholastic abilities are being accepted by higher education institutions. Freshmen’s deterioration in academic performances is said to be the most crucial factor hindering the implementation of effective curriculum education. Many universities/colleges have to establish remedial education programs to deal with this problem arising from the limited room for student selection. This paper reports an English remedial education program carried out in Nishinippon Institute of Technology, Japan, examining the validities of its course setting, optimizing the prediction models for students’ post-course score changes. The analysis is focused on those determinants proved to be responsible for the improvement of students’ English proficiencies, verifying the argument that more effective English remedial education can be realized by conducting appropriate instructions and teaching methodology in courses at different levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tokyo Denkai is a high-purity tantalum and niobium supplier in Japan. It started niobium production in 1968. Niobium items, such as sheets, rods, and tubes, are provided as superconducting cavity material for the world’s accelerator projects. Tokyo Denkai has five EB (Electron Beam) Melting Furnaces and in the future, will install two more. One existing EB furnace, which has a melting power of 400 KW, is currently used only for niobium production. Because the furnace is not sufficient to melt a 270-mm diameter ingot, which is required for the L-Band Single Crystal half-cell, starting from July 2007 we will melt large-diameter ingots with a 1200-KW EB furnace. This paper provides information on our niobium production capacity and future investment plan to meet the large demands of the International Linear Collider (ILC) project. © 2007 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some improvements of the nuclear data application to the fast reactor core field have been accomplished in Japan. The present paper introduces the recent status from three categories, group constant and analytical tools, database of fast reactor experiments, and application to FBR design study. A policy of JNC is to open the products generated from the application study to the world as much as possible to keep the traceability, reproducibility, and accountability. © 2005 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese launch vehicle technology has reached the global highest level by recent successful launches; therefore, we are now progressing from the catching-up phase to the new phase. Japanese own technologies shall be improved further under the long-term strategy for the future transportation system research and development. This paper reports the current status of our space transportation systems such as H-IIA and M-V, and the road map for the future space transportation systems. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center (WERC), we had constructed an accelerator system with a 5 MV tandem accelerator and a 200 MeV proton synchrotron. The tandem machine has 5 beam lines for the MeV order beam experiments. Also the tandem beam is injected to the synchrotron. The beam accelerated by the synchrotron is used at three experimental beam lines. After the completion of the construction in 2000, we have been performing experiments using the system for the ion beam analyses (RBS, ERDA, PIXE) and irradiations for the material and biological sciences. In 2002, the study of the cancer therapy with a proton beam from the synchrotron was started. In this paper, the layout of the accelerator facility, recent development for the accelerators and experiments will be reported. © 2003 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1994, HIMAC in NIRS has carded out the clinical trial of cancer treatments using carbon beams. Total number of patients has reached to a thousand. Since 1983, University of Tsukuba carded out cancer treatments of about 600 patients with proton beams in KEK. Based on the successful results, new construction of proton therapy facility has just completed in the own university. Hyogo prefecture has also completed the construction of both proton and carbon therapy facility, based on the results of both HIMAC and Tsukuba facility. Another proton therapy facility in Shizuoka Cancer Center is now under construction. All of these are of synchrotron systems. The only one proton therapy facility of cyclotron system started the clinical trial at the National Cancer Center (Kashiwa) at the end of 1998. So far about 50 patients were treated successfully. In this paper, firstly the results from HIMAC using carbon beams and then status of the other therapy facilities will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]