Research Institute for High-Life

Earth

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:29:18 +0900

Profiles of societies and livelihoods based on models of environmental harmony and resource conservation Example research theme: Efforts toward a sustainable society The Research Institute for High-Life conducts research and investigations on the concept of a “Sustainable Society” from various viewpoints, with fundamental issues comprising “Breaking away from the civilization of mass production, mass consumption, and disposability,” “Revitalizing the global environment,” and “Recovering our humanity and pursuing happiness as human beings.” Example findings of our research and investigations 1. Research on environment and city lifestyles 2. Aiming toward a sustainable society 3. Investigative research on cases of environmental advancement

Human Beings

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:32:50 +0900

Profiles and livelihoods of aging societies Example research theme: Research on the baby-boom generation The Research Institute for High-Life has continuously researched the baby-boom generation. By researching and investigating the baby-boom generation, which has seen changes to its role over time, we will continue to bring up issues. Example research theme: Research on the lifestyles of senior generations The Research Institute for High-Life conducts seminars and research investigations centering on the lifestyles of senior generations, who will be key players in the future of Japanese society. We will continue to bring up issues related to improvements in the quality of life in today’s aging society. Example findings of our research and investigations 1. Children and the environment: Toward the construction of play areas for children 2. The lifestyles of families affected by the falling birthrate 3. Research on the “Neo-fifties” generation 4. Women of the baby-boom generation: “Our” resumes 5. Research on views toward marriage amidst the falling birthrate 6. The baby-boom generation and the pre-war/post-war generations: “Portraits of 50- to 54-year-olds” 7. Geographical distribution and lifestyles of the baby-boom generation 8. Whereabouts of the husbands and wives of the baby-boom generation 9. Research investigation on the “light” and “shadow” of retired married couples 10. Research on the baby-boom generation and the second-generation baby boomers 11. Research on hospitality

Society

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:34:53 +0900

Profiles of regional societies and livelihoods Example research theme: Research on urban lifestyles Based on the theme of “Profiles of regional societies and livelihoods,” we have developed a project to research both the construction of attractive cities and lifestyles in metropolitan areas. Example findings of our research and investigations 1. Ginza and the high life as viewed by younger generations 2. Transformations of family life caused by informatization (penetration of multimedia) 3. Comparative research on Ginza and Shinsaibashi: Research on Ginza in 1995 4. Research on Yamanote culture: Glossary of keywords 5. The roles and realities of multimedia in the Great Hanshin Earthquake 6. Roundtable talk on Ginza: The future of Ginza 7. Net life in 2000: Toward an affluent community 8. Research on mobile multimedia 9. Issues faced by convenience stores: Based on an investigation on utilization 10. Expectations and actual conditions of multiple residency 11. The diversifying social backgrounds, ownership patterns, and design trends of residences 12. Basic concepts of the comprehensive development plan for Shin-Oemachi 13. Research on the informatization of homes in the high-tech era 14. Research on the metropolitan scene 15. Research on the formation of new communities through the rejuvenation of intergenerational interaction 16. Research on the capital sphere 17. Research on the whereabouts of local societies in an aging society 18. Research on livelihoods in the Ubiquitous Era 19. Area marketing in the Tokyo region: “Tokyo is a mosaic city” 20. Measuring the value of cities 21. Rejuvenating the city of Tokyo, Urban fashion and culture, and the Cultural town: The lineage of Tokyo’s downtown areas

Values

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:36:25 +0900

Values and behaviors of human beings in the twenty-first century Example research theme: Efforts toward research on dietary education, food, and family Dietary life is a foundation of one’s lifestyle. The Research Institute for High-Life has developed a project to research current strategies for using dietary life to strengthen ties between family members and community members and allow people, from children to senior citizens, to enjoy more affluent and fulfilling social lives. Example findings of our research and investigations 1. Lifestyle as seen through Japan’s dietary culture 2. Research on reconsidering the desire for self-fulfillment: Prospects after Maslow 3. Investigation for establishing a basic plan for promoting volunteer activities for international contributions 4. Survey on attitudes toward food 5. Changes in dietary lifestyle as seen through brands 6. The trend toward social services for housework 7. Roundtable talk: “New humans, new societies: Responding to the ‘Pleasure value’” 8. Lifestyles and stresses of the modern family 9. Whereabouts of the Japanese family 10. Research on the recovery of dinner-table communication 11. Research on the lifestyles of the rich 12. Educational dietary support at stores: Dietary health and Educational dietary marketing

Board Members and Councilors

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:38:21 +0900

Board Members and Councilors Councilor: Takeo Takasu, Board Counsel of Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc. Councilor: Gota Morinaga, Board Chairperson of Morinaga Co., Ltd. Councilor: Yoshiyuki Matsuda, President of Shobi University Councilor: Toyoki Kozai, Visiting Professor of Chiba University Councilor: Yukio Kitamura, Lawyer of Toranomon Sogo Law Firm Councilor: Hiroki Kato, Executive Director of The Distribution Economics Institute of Japan Councilor: Katsufumi Miyazaki, Counsel of Yomiko Crosscom, Inc. Councilor: Akira Iwashita, Director and Senior Operation Executive of Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Representative Director and Administrative Director (part-time): Yasunori Nakada, President and Representative Director of Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Representative Director and Administrative Vice-Director : Shinji Takatsu Executive Director and Managing: Haruki Takatsu Executive Board Member (part-time): Yotaro Hayashi, Advisor of Mitsui Fudosan, Co. Executive Board Member (part-time): Mariko Oka, Professor of Aoyama Gakuin University Executive Board Member (part-time): Fumio Hasegawa, Professor of Meiji University Executive Board Member (part-time): Machiko Osawa, Professor of Japan Women's University Auditor (part-time): Atsushi Hentona, President and Chartered Accountant of Seisen Audit Corporation Auditor (part-time): Haruyasu Terauchi, Advisor of Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Bureau Chief: Hirohito Hagiwara Date of Establishment: May 12, 1993 (All basic funds are contributed by Yomiko Advertising, Inc.) Governmental Authority in Charge: Cabinet Office

Study on Regional Innovation

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:28:47 +0900

Study on Regional Innovation -The future of regional communities in an aging society- PDF: Japanese version (677KB) Report Summary 1.The purpose and the main themes This study has been conducted since 2007 with the aim of understanding the variety of efforts being made in regional communities both in Japan and other countries and to propose policies to revitalize regional communities in our aging society. One of the challenges facing regional revitalization lies in the areas of industry and employment. In this year’s report, we focus on regional innovations in cases related to the promotion of regional industries in Europe, compare them with regional innovations implemented during the same periods in Japan,we presented our proposals for regional improvement in Japan. In 2008, businesses involved in subprime loans, which have become a serious issue, went bankrupt, leading to the collapse of financial markets and affecting the current economy. Although financial institutions on Wall Street and in the cities, the heartlands of financial capitalism, will effectively be managed under government control, Japanese businesses that have relied on foreign markets have also suffered losses, resulting in a strong sense of stagnation among subcontracted small to medium-sized businesses that have relied on these large corporations. Considering the problematic “lost decade” after the burst of the bubble economy in Japan, nobody believes this situation will be resolved in a short period of time. Moreover, there is likely nobody who believes industrial societies will ever be the same again. The future of the world, including all of its countries and communities, is unknown. Innovation is derived from the Latin word “innovation”, which means the creation of something new. It means the production of something new and improved, the introduction of new production processes, the development of new markets and new supply destinations, the reconstruction of corporations, and such. In addition, different types of innovation can be categorized by their respective characteristics, such as normal innovations (improvements of productivity and quality, excellence in staff training), niche innovations (affiliation and cooperation with new corporations for new markets), structural innovations (entering new fields with new technologies and methods), and revolutionary innovations (entering existing markets with new technologies and methods). Although innovation is an essential theme for all countries, regions, and corporations in any age, regional engagement for innovation is especially needed in situations such as the present. Innovation involves more than just research and development and technical developments; it should correspond to prospective markets of the near future that are demanded by society. Moreover, it is necessary to promote such innovations strategically through public procurements and financial support. In the EU, there are 6 fields of socially and economically valuable markets. 1. E-health: establishing health information systems to provide better care at lower costs. 2. Sustainable construction: the construction sector constitutes a high share of GDP, final energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. 3. Protective textiles: for example, clothes that protect people from accidents and other dangers. 4. Biological products: for example, bioplastic and lubricants. 5. Recycling: reducing the amount of waste products and the consumption of natural resources and improving energy efficiency. 6. Renewable energy: the European Parliament aims to provide 20% of energy consumption with renewable energy by 2020. The 2007 Communication on a "Lead Market Initiative for Europe" has many implication for future innovations in Japan. One of the common themes for promoting employment and industry in each country after the financial crisis has been government investments in the field of renewable energy, and various measures including public procurement, laws, and incentives will be implemented. At the same time, energy-saving houses and construction are necessary for global warming policies. The utilization of renewable energy as well as the development of energy-saving houses and construction constitute optimal solutions for regions with varying natural landscapes and climates. For this reason, these two solutions have become the main themes of regional innovation. Regarding tourism, which has been a means of vitalization common across communities in Japan, the promotion of health tourism in accordance with social purposes such as health and prevention may provide possible markets for Japan’s aging society and for China, where the population will soon begin aging rapidly. In this study, we will review efforts to promote renewable energy in regional communities and new fields in the service industry, such as health tourism, while considering the creation of regional industries and the sustainable local economy.

Investigating the value of urban living

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:23:50 +0900

PDF: Japanese version (618KB) Study report 1. Purpose, methods, and organizational structure for the study Organizational structure of the study This study is conducted by the following team members: Chief researcher Ryuzo Ohno, Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Doctor of Engineering Research planning and analysis Naoko Wakabayashi, CEO of Living Environment Studio ACT, Doctor of Engineering Masashi Soeda, Grand planner of LLP Human Environment Design Laboratory, Doctor of Engineering Research study analysis Nagisa Tatsumi, Writer and Marketing planner Koji Sugawara, Living Environment Studio ACT Pre-study Hajime Enomoto, Director of the Urban Environment Planning Department of Yomiko Advertising, Inc Hiroyuki Kakinuma, Urban Environment Planning Department of Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Akiko Tsuruta, Urban Environment Planning Department of Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Yumi Kato, Pistaccio Inc. Mayuko Koga, Environmental Planning Laboratory Inc. Research project coordinators Hitoshi Nakamura, LLP Human Environment Design Laboratory Masashi Soeda, LLP Human Environment Design Laboratory Ichiro Miyazaki, Environmental Planning Laboratory Inc. Research supervisor Shinichi Sentouda, Chief researcher of Research Institute for High-Life (1) Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to identify the kinds of value that city dwellers associate with their urban lives. We will attempt to find out "what" kinds of value they find in their cities or "what parts" of their cities they feel are valuable. Customarily, when assessing the livability of a city, evaluations are made based mainly on "service" factors, such as convenience for shopping and commuting or the sufficiency of public facilities. These evaluation factors can be standardized and indexed to some extent and are reflected in real estate value. However, "service" is not the only reason why urban residents live in cities; rather, these residents seem to find more value in intangible factors related to enriching their quality of life, such as being able to relax at a nearby park, having neighborhood stores where they can meet friends, and safe environments for their children to play. These kinds of value cannot necessarily be measured by real estate price. Unlike convenience factors, which can be quantified even by an outsider, these kinds of value are latent and are perceived only by those who have lived in the city for some time. We believe that cities with such latent value can lead people to develop emotional attachments to their environment, leading to the desire to continue living in those cities. Given the difficulty of measuring such kinds of value, there is no straightforward way to draw clear answers from residents. Therefore, our first step is to conduct a survey among urban residents in multiple areas throughout Tokyo. We will ask them "what" kinds of value they find in their city or "what parts" of the city they feel are valuable. The answers will be provided as free responses (keywords). In this way, we will be able to grasp a general idea of what kinds of value are appreciated in specific kinds of city. At the same time, in order to analyze the linkage between people and the keywords, we will also ask them about their degree of attachment to the city, their intentions of settling down (whether or not they would like to reside there permanently), their degree of interest, and their lifestyle values. Based on the survey results, we will assess the relationships between the "city", its "people", and the "value and values associated with residential environments". We will analyze and investigate various factors, such as triggers of emotional attachments to the city or factors causing long-term residents to lose their attachment to the city, with the aim of offering guidelines for better residential environments. (2) Method of study This study consists of two parts. 1) Pre-study of the kinds of value perceived by urban residents There have been several studies involving assessments of residential environments or surveys on residential preferences conducted in the past. Before proceeding with our study, we will study these previous reports and examine the findings obtained through lectures given by the researchers. Our objective is to establish a clear perspective and hypothesis for the present study. We will also try to obtain an accurate picture of urban residents through a report prepared by an analyst with a concrete viewpoint on what specific points of urban life are appealing to those residents. What we learn here will be incorporated into the survey agenda. Our objective is to obtain a foothold for exploring different kinds of residential value. 2) Online survey of urban residents After establishing a clear perspective for our study through the above pre-study, we will conduct an online survey to understand the level of awareness regarding urban living. We will collect keywords that the residents associate with their urban life. We will also ask them about their degree of attachment to the city, their intentions of settling down, their degree of interest, and their lifestyles. This survey will be done through a website on the Internet. In order to examine the regional differences, we will select a total of 2,000 people who reside in 3 different areas in Tokyo ("Downtown", "Uptown", and "Bay area".) The people, whose ages range from the 30s to the 60s, are registered survey participants. The collected keywords will be examined and analyzed by area and level of resident’s awareness. The purpose of this survey is to identify the relationships between the "city", its "people" and the "value and values associated with residential environments".

Study on "Dietary Health and development of Shokuiku aid by generation"

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:04:36 +0900

- Shokuiku-Aproach for the family having infants or children - PDF: Japanese version (83KB) (Summary of the report) RE: Shokuiku is a Japanese word, meaning "education of appetite" or "education about having a good diet". Since it has no appropriate word translated into English, we call it, "Shokuiku". 1：Purpose of Study on "Health of Food and improvement of Shokuiku Aid by age" In June 10, 2005, the fundamental law on Shokuiku has been enacted and announced.　Shokuiku guidance is aimed at national lifetime health to form healthy eating habits. The theme of the Japanese life innovation is concentrated on health, relief, safety, and environmental protection, although, these headings have been developed as policies for Shokuiku suggestion and improvement of Metabolic Syndrome. Suggestion for healthy diets will be announced as a subject of Shokuiku. There are lots of subjects take that root in education of national healthy eating habits and dietary culture. The variety of subjects concerning Shokuiku promotion are what we consider as subjects related to dietary life improvement cultural fixation, and cultivation of mind. Keeping this fact in mind, we aim at rapid penetration and realization of Shokuiku development and will launch 2 years of study to complement national Shokuiku promotional activity. At the point of Shokuiku, each carried subject is quite different according to each generation. In our research, we aim to propose a right direction for Shokuiku approach concerning focused subject by clarifying subjects by generation clear. In this year, we focused on families carrying infants or children who would form Japan’s next generation and conducted questionnaire survey of the parents and their children about consciousness and gaps in actual condition level of their dietary lives regarding nutrition. In reference survey results, we made it clear how the Shokuiku should be and also made the direction of concrete approach to aid the policy for bringing up children clear, through diet. 〈Summary - Study report component〉 Chapter 1:　 National regulation of Shokuiku and engagement of local public organizations and enterprises. Chapter 2: Suggestion on Shokuiku so far and its' subjects Chapter 3: Thoughts on Shokuiku research on the families with infants or children Chapter 4: Items seen in survey about eating habits and Shokuiku- regarding families with infants or children Chapter 5: Shokuiku approach for the families with infants or children Chapter 6: Suggestion and activity on Shokuiku realized and experienced (Study members) Study organization: Resarch Institute for High-life Study composed by: Niitsu Shigeaki (Trustee/Takachiho University/Graduated School Professor) Tanno Toshiaki (President/Behavioral Science Institute ,Inc,) Takatsu Haruki (Vice Director General/Resarch Institute for High-life)

Research on Lifestyles created by Content

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:16:40 +0900

PDF: Japanese version (1.2MB)

Organizational structure of the research Planning and promotion Fumio Hasegawa, Professor of Meiji University, School of Global Japanese Studies Research and promotion Kazuo Midorikawa, CEO of Digital-Image Tadakazu Fukutomi, PROFESSOR, Senshu University Hirohiko Koyamada, CEO of Think Communications, Inc Akio Kunii, Chief researcher of InfoCom Research, Inc. Research partners Kazuhiro Niinuma, Counselor of Office of the President, Wellness Department, Namco Bandai Games, Inc. Yujiro Ono, Chief researcher, Research Laboratory of Human Amusement, AM Specialized Machine Development Department, Namco Bandai Games, Inc. Hisakazu Hirabayashi, CEO of INTERact Shuzo Ueda, Director of Kyoto International Manga Museum Chapter 1: Purpose of the Research 1-1. Background So-called “Content”, which includes manga, anime, and video game, has been consumed mainly for the purposes of entertainment and leisure-time amusement. However, Content has started to garner attention in areas other than entertainment due to its friendliness and its eye-catching characteristics. It has started to be used for the purposes of improving everyday convenience in particular. For example, manga is now very familiar because it even appears in various instruction manuals and community pamphlets. In addition, manga and anime have started to be used for educational purposes to promote understanding regarding luxury grocery items or cuisines, such as wine. Additionally, the game console Wii, which was released last year by Nintendo, can function as a sport simulator and serves as a lifestyle-oriented device in various areas, such as health management. This trend will be accelerated with the development of our information-driven network society. In this research, we will investigate the relationship between Content and everyday life by researching current conditions and trends. 1-2. Purpose of the research With the above background in mind, the purpose of this research is as follows. (1) To study the potential usage of Content (manga, anime, video games, etc.) in areas other than entertainment. (2) To analyze how Content creators view the relationship between Content and everyday life. (3) To identify and pni-che Niredict how Content will be involved in our everyday lives. 1-3. Details of the research We will conduct research in the following specific areas.

(1) Analysis of social environments that promote the current conditions.
(2) Case research on the relationship between Content and everyday life. Examine cases that match the purpose of our research from books, magazines, and websites.
(3) User evaluations Conduct a survey interview of 10 subjects ranging in age from their 10s to their 50s regarding the current usage of Content and its involvement in their everyday lives.
(4) Intentions of Content developers Conduct a survey interview with Content providers and researchers that match the purpose of our research.
(5) Future trend analysis Discuss future trends with other members of the research team.
(6) Links with future lifestyles Based on the results of our research, study the relationship between Content and lifestyle.

1-4. Research methods

(1) Conference discussions with experts
(2) Case studies using relevant literature
(3) Survey interviews with Content developers
(4) Interview-style questionnaire survey

Summary of hospitality study: 2006 to 2007

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:39:00 +0900

PDF: Japanese version (2MB) Study organization Junichi Takahashi, professor, Waseda University Ryusuke Seike, part-time professor, Waseda University Yuko Adachi, CEO, Bunka Gijutsu Design Miwako Hori, researcher Haruki Takatsu, Research Institute for High-Life Shinichi Sentoda, Research Institute for High-Life Hirohito Hagiwara, Research Institute for High-Life Purpose of the study Modern industrial society has brought us great benefits, but it has also created various problems in the name of progress, such as the continued destruction of nature, health problems, stress, and disparities in wealth. Modern industrial society has provided satisfaction and fulfillment in everyday life through material wealth and innovations in the area of convenience, but it can also been said that it is a society that has lost an understanding of the true meaning of "pleasure". When we look at the current social situation, we need to think about how we should obtain "pleasure" or "fulfillment" in a meaningful way through our individual abilities and lifestyles. The goal of hospitality, in simple terms, is how to "realize pleasure", and we believe this concept includes solutions to the problems describe above. Even for industries that are currently facing limitations in providing satisfaction and fulfillment to ordinary citizens through manualized services, "hospitality" has been focused on as a concept that allows for the provision of satisfaction and fulfillment beyond service. In our study, we hope to construct a working hypothesis while focusing on establishing design principles to realize a society and culture that embodies hospitality, and to seek the establishment of techniques (tentatively referred to as "hospitality management") to control the activities of both a society structured based on the principles of hospitality and the businesses and public administrations composing such a society.

The 17th High-Life Seminar: Eco-city contest

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:05:28 +0900

The 17th High-Life Seminar: Minutes Eco-city contest Seven proposals to change Japan from its regions Seminars to commemorate publication in Tokyo and Kyoto PDF: Japanese version (2MB) Organizers: Research Institute for High-Life The National Eco-City Contest Network Citizens Environment Foundation, specified nonprofit corporation Tokyo venue Time: Friday, March 6, 2009. 13:30 to 17:00 Place: Kodama Hall Kyoto venue Place: Mielparque Kyoto Time: Monday, March 9, 2009. 13:00 to 16:30 Seminar venue in Tokyo　　　　　　　　　　　Seminar venue in Kyoto

Minutes of lectures “Seven proposals to change Japan from its regions”: Purposes and contents of the book Lecturer: Mr. Ikuo Sugimoto (President of NPO Citizens Environment Foundation) (Representative of the National Eco-City Contest Network) http://www.kankyoshimin.org/ Profile of the lecturer: Ikuo Sugimoto Graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kyoto University. Established the Citizens Environment Foundation with various people and experts engaged in environmental issues in 1992. Published “Green Consumer: Tips for Shopping for the Earth’s Ecology”, “Visiting the World’s Eco-cities” (co-author), Iwanami Junior Shinsho (2002) , and many others.

Investigating the value of urban living 2010

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:22:56 +0900

Investigating the value of urban living 2010 Report summary 1.Background and purpose of study The purpose of this study is to determine the types of value urban residents see in relation to what aspects of their town or where in town they live. In terms of the value of towns, many books with rankings of towns people want to live in have been published, but the indices serving as the basis for calculations are often economic indices, such as land price and rent, or indices that quantitatively evaluate the environment in terms of equipment and facilities, such as the number of facilities per unit of population or gross floor area of households. Needless to say, although these indices are useful for calculating rankings because they allow for quantitative comparisons, environments that residents find attractive are not limited to size or economic evaluations, and considerations of whether they can live comfortably (that is, the quality of town) are important. While keeping in mind these issues, this study aims to: individually interview urban residents using an “Evaluation Grid Method” to ask about where in their towns they like or consider good, and why; clarify the structure of evaluations of areas based on the opinions of residents; and propose physical environments or factors that should be provided to create towns that make residents want to stay. 2. Research team This study was conducted under the following research system. ・Research planning and coordination Masashi SOEDA (LLP Human Environment Design Laboratory, Ground Planner, PhD (Engineering)) ・Research and survey planning, design, and administration and analysis Naoko WAKABAYASHI Living Environment Studio ACT Inc., CEO, PhD (Engineering)) ・Research supervisor Shinichi, SENTODA (Research Institute for High-Life, Senior Researcher) 3. Study method In this study, we conducted a survey of individual interviews based on the “Evaluation Grid Method” as a method for structurally understanding the “true needs” that individual urban residents seek for areas and locations by associating these needs with specific locations and elements. The “Evaluation Grid Method” is an interview method that has been improved and developed based on interview methods developed in the field of clinical psychology and is widely used to understand a variety of needs (requests) associated with environment, etc. The premise of this method is the “Personal Construct Theory”, which posits that human beings “each have a unique ‘cognitive structure’, which is a mechanism of understanding and judgment, and they try to understand external information obtained through sight, sound, and other senses by processing information with this mechanism to determine the actions they should take and predict outcomes.” The “cognitive structure” in this case is a “hierarchical structure” having specific understandings such as “a spacious or non-spacious skyline” at the bottom, sensory understandings such as “feels or does not feel liberating” in the middle, and more abstract value judgments such as “able to unable to relax” at the top. The Evaluation Grid Method can be described as a method aiming to selectively pick up only certain aspects (i.e., the “evaluation structure”) related to the surveyed “evaluation” within the individual cognitive structure. In general procedures of the evaluation grid method, respondents are first asked to think about multiple subjects to determine “which one they like”, and are then asked for the reasons for their judgment criteria. In this study, however, we set the subjects that the respondents were asked to evaluate as “locations within their residential areas that they consider good and like” and asked for reasons such as “why they like it” and “why they consider it good” for each location determined as being “liked” and “good”. This was because we wanted to have the respondents pick several “locations that they consider good and like” and it was awkward to have the respondents rank these locations. In addition, we also asked whether the locations were used in their daily lives, whether they served as destinations, and whether they were one of the reasons why they liked their towns. Assuming that evaluation structures vary between residential areas, we picked the Sangen-Jaya area in Setagaya ward (a location where commercial and residential areas, as well as new buildings and traditional downtown shopping districts coexist, and there is a mixture of both old and new houses and various shop sizes) and the Konan area in Minato ward (a new town where large-scale redevelopment is taking place; the number of high-rise apartments has recently been increasing and many residents are new to the area) as our surveyed areas that we believed to have different characteristics. In addition, taking differences in life stages into consideration, we included various generations, including seniors and nurturers, among the respondents. We conducted surveys in the Konan areas in July and September of 2009 and in the Sangen-Jaya area in September and October. The interview survey was conducted by one interviewer and one note-taker, and we spent about one hour for each respondent.

Thinking about Urban Lifestyles in the 21st Century | "Living in Urban Waterfronts": Prospects for the Future

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:07:18 +0900

Scheduled date and time: February 21, 2010 (Sunday), 13:00-16:10 Location: Tokyo International Exchange Center Sponsor: Research Institute for High-Life Planning and supervision: Professor Norihisa Yokouchi, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University MC: Saori Nishihara Project overview Since ancient times, waterfronts have nurtured the lives of many organisms, and humans have also used waterfronts in various ways and found peace in waterfronts as civilizations developed new living environments. Shipping remains at the center of the distribution of goods, and ports play an important role, but with the development of larger ships, ports that cannot accommodate large vessels are escaping attention and large portions of land are not being used effectively. At the same time, landfill areas in regions near urban areas are spreading. And Japan is a maritime nation with one of the world’s longest coastlines (35,000 km). For Japan, with its narrow landmass, these coastal regions can be said to be the most important spaces for considering living environments in the 21st century. Therefore, we have organized this international symposium to think about living environments in the 21st century from a global perspective based on case studies and research from various countries around the world engaging in the development of waterfront living environments that suit modern lifestyles. For this symposium, we asked Professor Norihisa Yokouchi of Nihon University, the leading authority on waterfront research who popularized the term “waterfront” throughout Japan, to handle general supervision, and in addition to keynote remarks from an expert invited from overseas, researchers and cultural figures from Japan will join for a frank exchange of views in a panel discussion on cases such as Ariake, which is currently under development. Furthermore, through lessons on the world’s leading case studies and comprehensive discussions, we will examine prospects for a better future. Opening remarks: Yasunori Nakata, Director, Research Institute for High-Life Keynote remarks: (1) Norihisa Yokouchi (Professor, Nihon University) (2) Rinio Bruttomesso (Director, International Centre Cities on Water, Venice; Professor of Urban Design, Department of Urban Planning and Design, University Iuav of Venice, Italy) Panel discussion: Host: Tetsuya Muroyama (Executive Commentator, NHK) (1) Professor Norihisa Yokouchi (2) Rinio Bruttomesso (3) Professor Hidenobu Jinnai (4) Maako Kido (Artist) [Japanese version]

Opening remarks Yasunori Nakata, Director, Research Institute for High-Life Flash video | 600kbps | 3 mins.

Keynote remarks Supporting new urban functions through Japan’s waterfronts: Current conditions and future prospects Norihisa Yokouchi Flash video | 600kbps | 25 mins.
Professor Yokouchi outlines the current status of development of waterfronts in Japan and ideal directions for the future. In particular, Professor Yokouchi provides an overview regarding new urban development that takes advantage of waterfronts in Tokyo Metropolis and other major cities and explains the possibilities for such waterfronts while using case examples to discuss issues facing waterfront development. Professor Yokouchi also explains the role of waterfronts in creating compact cities to address the aging of society and environmental issues.

Keynote remarks Redeveloping Italy’s waterfront cities Rinio Bruttomesso Flash video | 600kbps | 25 mins.
Mr. Bruttomesso discusses the past and present conditions of Venice, the historical city of water, as well as urban redevelopment in Venice.

Panel discussion Panel discussion: Host: Tetsuya Muroyama (Executive Commentator, NHK) (1) Professor Norihisa Yokouchi (2) Rinio Bruttomesso (3) Professor Hidenobu Jinnai (4) Maako Kido (Artist) Based on images of actual case examples of lifestyles in waterfronts in major cities around the world, panelists provide visions for the future of living in Tokyo’s waterfronts, using conceptual drawings of the future of Ariake prepared by Professor Yokouchi and his research students as an example. Part1 Case examples: London and Barcelona
Flash video | 600kbps | 25 mins.
Part2 Case example: Singapore
Flash video | 600kbps | 30 mins.
Part3 Visions for the future of living in Tokyo’s waterfronts
Flash video | 600kbps | 30 mins.
Part4 How waterfronts can be harnessed in our daily lives
Flash video | 600kbps | 25 mins.

Panelists Professor Norihisa Yokouchi College of Science and Technology, Nihon University After obtaining a master’s degree from Nihon University Graduate School, Professor Yokouchi obtained a doctorate in engineering. His specializations include waterfront planning, landscape engineering, and environmental planning. Based on his view that waterfront planning refers to urban development focusing on “water” and should aim to integrate the vast urban spaces behind waterfronts with the spaces around waterfronts, he is engaged in studies on how to realize this vision. He is Japan’s leading authority on waterfront research. Rinio Bruttomesso Director, International Centre Cities on Water, Venice; Professor of Urban Design, Department of Urban Planning and Design, University Iuav of Venice, Italy Born in 1948, Mr. Bruttomesso is the Director of the International Centre Cities on Water, Venice and a Professor of Urban Design at the Department of Urban Planning and Design of the University Iuav of Venice. He is a specialist on “redeveloping Italy’s waterfront cities”, redeveloping urban waterfronts, and urban design for floating cities, and is well-versed on international case examples. He recently served as a professor at the University Iuav of Venice and now devotes his time to working as the Director of the International Centre Cities on Water, Venice. An international authority in the field of waterfronts, he produced the Cities on Water Themed Plaza at Expo Zaragoza 2008. Tetsuya Muroyama Executive Commentator at NHK (Japan Broadcasting Cooperation) Muroyama joined NHK in Showa 51 (1976) and took a role as a producer for scientific programs such as "Ultra Eye", "Close-up Gendai" and "NHK Special" before working as a leading commentator for NHK. He provides comments mainly on issues ranging from science and technology, life and neuroscience, the environment, and space engineering, and has been committed to science education in his capacity as headmaster for a science program for children, "Kagaku Daisuki Doyo Jyuku" (Educational TV). Muroyama has received a number of awards, including the Monte-Carlo Television Festival Golden Lion, the Silver Lion, and the Rainier III awards, the Hoso Bunka Foundation Award, the Shanghai International Film Festival Filming Award, the Science and Technology Film/Video Festival Science and Technology Agency Director-General Award, and the Sugako Hashida Award. He is a board member of the Japanese Association of Science & Technology Journalists, the Planetary Society of Japan, and the Young Astronauts Club. Professor Hidenobu Jinnai Faculty of Engineering, Hosei University Born in 1947 in Fukuoka prefecture, Professor Jinnai studied abroad at University Iuav of Venice from 1973 to 1975 with a scholarship from the Italian government, and in the following year, he studied at UNESCO’s International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). After returning to Japan, he obtained a doctorate from the School of Engineering of the University of Tokyo in 1983. Subsequently, after serving as an assistant at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo and as assistant professor of architecture at the Faculty of Engineering at Hosei University, he is now a professor of architecture at the Faculty of Engineering at Hosei University. He is engaged in urban studies and surveys in the Mediterranean world, particularly Italy. He also won the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities for his book “Tokyo: A Spatial Anthropology”, in which, based on comparisons with Venice, he argued that Edo (present-day Tokyo) was a city of water. His commentaries are frequently published in magazines related to the arts and architecture, and he also appeared in NHK Ningen Koza’s “Lifestyles in Mediterranean Cities” (June-July 2001) as a lecturer. In 2003, he was awarded a prize of the Architectural Institute of Japan (Research Theses Division). Maako Kido Ms. Kido graduated from the Department of Painting of Musashino Art University in 1987. In 1998, she competed in the VOCA exhibition. She has also created many works of public art, including a giant mural for a coffee shop in Kanbocho and a mural for the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line’s Umihotaru island. She is President of the Gakken Kido Maako Art School. She is also engaged in a wide variety of activities, such as serving as a consultant for Central Japan International Airport Co., Ltd. and as a member of the advisory board of the Central Nippon Expressway Company. She has released a book, “Honwaka kaigo - watashi kara haha he arigatou enikki (Warm Nursing Care: A Picture Diary of Gratitude for my Mother)”, from Shueisha Inc.

Study on Healthy Food and Development of Generation-specific Food Education Support

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:02:42 +0900

Study on Healthy Food and Development of Generation-specific Food Education Support Good Dietary Practices Change the Lives of the Elderly Report summary 1. Purpose of the Study on Healthy Food and Development of Generation-specific Food Education Support The Basic Act on Food Education was enacted in 2005, providing guidelines with objectives such as enabling citizens to achieve lifetime well-being and practice healthy eating habits, maintaining a proper food culture, and developing the ability to make judgments and adapt wisdom and knowledge on food. The focus of lifestyle reform in Japan in the 21st century is on "well-being", "safety" and "environment conservation", and these issues have been successfully incorporated into policies such as "Proposals for Food Education" and "Improvement of Metabolic Syndrome". However, efforts to help citizens to develop and adopt healthy eating habits and a healthy food culture have faced a wide range of challenges in providing specific directions for improving dietary habits, spreading food culture, and developing a focus on lifestyle. Against this background, we planned and conducted a two-year study designed to facilitate the development of more timely and effective food education in order to support the national program to promote food education. In promoting food education, there are significant differences in the issues faced by different generations. Last year, we conducted a study on households with infants or small children. This year, we continued our studies with a focus on the elderly based on the slogan, "Good dietary practices change the lives of the elderly".
Contents of the Research Report Chapter1: Premises and Meaning of Discussions on Food Education for the Elderly Chapter2: What is Food Education for the Elderly? Current Efforts, Guidelines and Proposals Chapter 3: Directions in Food Education for the Elderly Chapter4: The Framework for Understanding Food Education for the Elderly Chapter5: Current Dietary Habits of the Elderly Chapter6: Challenges and Approaches in Food Education for the Elderly from the Perspective of Good Dietary Practices Chapter7: Proposals for Promoting Food Education for the Elderly Attachment: Survey Report

Research Team Research Institution: Research Institute for High-Life Research team: The study was conducted by: Shigeyuki Niitsu (Director and Graduate School Professor, Takachiho University) Toshiaki Tanno (Executive Director, Behavioral Science Institute) Haruki Takatsu (Senior Director, Research Institute for High-Life), et al.

2. Overview of this Survey Report This survey report consists of the following 7 chapters and an overview. The following is a summary of the report.
Chapter 1: Premises and Meaning of Food Education for the Elderly This chapter describes the current situation in Japan as an aging society based on currently published data and clearly states the need for food education for the elderly. The targeted age group and focus of the study are specified, and the meaning of research on food education for the elderly is clearly explained. In 2008, the Research Institute for High-Life conducted and published the results of a study focusing on households with infants or small children, the first in a series of studies on generation-specific approaches in food education. This year, the Institute continued with the second part of its generation-specific research, targeting the age groups of 55 to 64 year olds (the elderly-to-be; this group includes the baby boomer generation that will comprise the real aging society in the future) and 65 to 74 year olds (the elderly). In conducting the study, an objective review on current food education targeting the elderly and elderly-to-be led to these observations: (1) Currently, the elderly practice ideal, traditional Japanese eating habits, and there does not seem to be a great need for food education; (2) The elderly seem to face greater issues in areas other than food education; (3) The development of food education includes few approaches targeting the elderly. These observations raised the question as to whether the current approach in food education for the elderly is appropriate. This led to the hypothesis that we need to consider and approach food education not simply as eating activities but from a wider perspective. As society in Japan ages, considerations of "food education for the elderly" will go beyond discussions of actions targeting the elderly. This will lead to the establishment of approaches in food education that tackle various issues caused by a range of changes in lifestyle. Examples include the changes in household structure caused by the continuously aging society. Although based on the concept and premise of generation-specific approaches in food education, this study also targeted the age group of 55 to 64 year olds (the elderly-to-be). This is because we aim to provide proposals for the promotion of and directions for food education for this group using the elderly group of 65 to 74 year olds as a benchmark. We took an inside-out perspective in our research activity rather than the outside-in perspective traditionally used for formulating policy.

Research on the "Tidying-up" Activities of Infants

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:00:43 +0900

Research on the "Tidying-up" Activities of Infants - As the first step in research on "growing children" and "goods and lives of people" -

Chapter 1 Research Overview 1-1 Motive for research This is a joint research project conducted by Nagisa Tatsumi and Ayumi Kimura, both official members of the Association of Child Environment Studies. As a professional writer and educator, Tatsumi has been working on the theses, "What is an affluent life?" and "What do household and household chores mean?" Kimura has worked as an educator in an elementary school, preschool and childcare center while continuing his research on the development of children. Tatsumi is interested in both "goods" as part of one’s lifestyle and the relation between "goods" and people, while Kimura is interested in both childcare centers and preschools as an environment for the development of children and guaranteed quality childcare and play, resulting in the formation of a thesis on "tidying-up" and its importance, in their respective fields of interest. This has lead to the planning of this joint research project. While registered as university lecturers, Tatsumi and Kimura are more practitioners than researchers. For both, finding such a thesis in this popular research field has a significant meaning. Each explains their motives for their research below before mentioning the purpose of this research project.
1-1-1 Motive for research (Tatsumi) What are goods to people? This is a significant thesis that Tatsumi has been pursuing. Recently, people’s interest in storage skills has increased (*). A new business offering clean-up services and storage solutions to consumers has emerged and started securing customers. Although similar to conventional clean-up services, these services are different in terms of demand. Members of households (or consumers) now face a significant issue (or challenge) of how to deal with the goods that they themselves have brought into their household or that have been brought in by others. (*) Moreover, a current increase in interest can be seen in organizing skills as idea and information management skills. Not only is an abundance of information available from the Internet and other sources, but individuals also continue to be the providers of information. This requires skill in selecting information and utilizing the pool of information through, for instance, the control of access routes to necessary information. In a nutshell, Japanese living in modern times appear unable to find an efficient way to deal with "goods (e.g. means and materials)" and are forced to live their daily lives in frustration. A common opinion that "In modern times, people are spoiled by goods" is often heard, but this abundance (and variety) of goods in a market economy may not be the problem. Rather, the challenge may be the necessity for people to set their criteria for dealing with goods right from the start in order to be able to select goods to be used and arrange their own house. The "goods" comprising one's life are not mere objects. In the lives of individuals, "goods are the means to living" and constitute even life itself. In a modern society with a wide variety of goods, "one’s choices represent one’s values in life" and reflect a certain lifestyle. Tatsumi strongly feels that, for people in modern times to be satisfied with their lives, they need the skill to create such a relationship with goods that reflects their own values in life (or even philosophies). Against this background, a contemporary but fundamental thesis of "tidying-up" has been created. Tidying-up can be defined as: (1) the result of a decision regarding what "I" bring into my house or my living space as well as the constant process of asking oneself whether or not "I" utilize what was brought in (i.e., "I" made a right decision bringing it in); (2) the process of creating an order (or system) for determining how "goods" that carry a significant meaning as manifestations of one's values in life (or, in a childcare context, manifestations of a school’s educational philosophy) are arranged in the settings of our lives; (3) the process of creating a cycle (or rules) regarding how the goods are to be dealt with over time, and (4) the process of creating and maintaining the details of activities (or systems) and activities (or rules) in households and communities such as educational institutions, which involves a certain responsibility (or moral/manner) as a community member. However, "tidying-up" as a thesis is only acknowledged or received as a momentary target of interest, a somewhat boring aspect of life, or an ordinary issue faced by housewives or people working at a particular workplace. There is no discussion (or idea) as to "what goods individuals should possess in their everyday lives" and "how individuals should create an order and cycle in their everyday lives". It appears that little research on this topic has been undertaken in the past. In the fields of economics and sociology, there is some research that discusses "the relationship between people and goods," with a focus on "purpose of consumption." Most notable are the concepts of "showing-off" by Veblen and "signs of differentiation" by Baudrillard. However, they approach the issue from the viewpoint of materials and do not really treat the goods as a reflection of a created lifestyle or values in one's life. This may be because the U.S. and Europe have advanced further in their research on "consumption." Tatsumi finds it rather interesting that the fundamental thesis of "what goods are to people" today appears not as a question in a positive sense, that is, "why one wants to obtain or possess goods" (or desire), but as a question in a negative sense, that is, "why the existence of goods causes problems" This year, tidying-up is approached in primary research, and some of the hypotheses and issues will be used as a basis for further study.
1-1-2 Motive for research (Kimura) Today, words such as "let's not waste (or mottainai)" or "eco" have become clichés, but even without these words being expressed, it is extremely important to live and improve the relationship between goods and people in societies with a high level of consumption. From ancient times until a few decades ago, people utilized goods more efficiently than today. For instance, recycled materials are often excavated from ancient houses and rice paddy fields from the Yayoi period. Food was not wasted and almost all segments of food items were used wisely. People efficiently used goods in their lives. However, it appears that over the last few decades, such a history involving people and goods has been somewhat lost. Naturally, a number of people have joined a resistance to this course of change and continue to make a range of attempts to halt it. Such events occur not only in adult society, but also among children. Although it has been long argued that people are no longer attached to their belongings, this may be due to the weakening relationship between each good and an individual. Weak connections with communities, changes in household composition, and shifts in society through individualism all prevent people from feeling a strong urge to set and follow rules for collectively maintaining order. This seems to have created a number of problems in providing childcare every day. The ultimate issue among these may be "tidying-up". Although it has been long discussed, the issue of "tidying-up" in childcare centers has yet to see any solution being widely adopted. There are a number of references and research papers, but as far as the authors are aware, none of these take on a perspective of how individuals create order and cycles in their everyday lives, as pointed out by Tatsumi, a researcher in this particular field. From the viewpoint of childcare environments, further studies are required in regard to most issues such as the effects of psychological environments involving childcare providers, children, and parents, the relationship between the characteristics of children and the arrangement of goods, awareness of storage, and the relationship between forms of childcare and "tidying-up". The intention here is to take the first step towards an overall thesis of "goods and the lives of people" by understanding the current situation and building a hypothesis through the observation, research and analysis, and interviews regarding the "tidying-up" activities of children in childcare centers.