A diary recording the authors' extended tour of the Far East. It focuses on their impressions as the ancient civilizations of Japan, China and India, each in their separate ways, came to terms with the modern world.

While scholarly works on this topic have to date mainly concentrated on Japan's influences in economic and political terms, this volume examines Japanese influences in Asia from a broader perspective. The text takes into account human factors, such as the presence of Japanese people as workers, managers and visitors in Asian societies and the flow of Japanese goods in terms on their impact on popular culture. In addition, the book examines the feelings within other Asian nations such as India and Malaysia to the Japanese presence, looking at Japanese the people’s aspirations, expectations and at times disappointments. Written by Asian and Western scholars from variety of academic perspectives, the essays in this volume analyze the topic at both macro- and micro-levels. They examine the variegated and highly differing influences and presences of Japan as seen from a number of view points, from street perspectives and the world of popular culture, to global political issues, to questions of regional investment and the cultural and economic aspirations of Chinese students in Japan.

Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Asia, Volumes 1-4 brings together scientific research and policy issues across various topographical area in Asia to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues facing the region. Sustainable Natural Resources Management in Dynamic Southeast Asia, Volume 1, pulls together regional experts in the field to look specifically at sustainability issues across the region, to see what has been implemented, what the impacts have been, and what other options are available. In the race to be a developed region, many Southeast Asian countries have foregone natural resources through haphazard use. As a result, the people are faced with numerous environmental challenges, particularly deforestation and forest degradation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, reduction in soil quality, and decreases in the quantity of available water. Community-based forest management is the involvement of local communities in the protection, conservation and management of public forests to prevent degradation through sustainable practices while still responding to the basic social and economic needs of local populations. When the people who depend on forest resources for their livelihoods are jointly responsible for managing and protecting them, they tend to do so in a more sustainable manner by focusing on the long-term benefits rather than the immediate short-term gains. However, when tenure rights are weak, unclear, or insecure, or offer limited benefits, people are incited in extracting more immediate benefits, resulting in suboptimal forest management and the reduction of carbon stocks. - Features case studies that cover issues such as rising levels of deforestation, forest degradation, regional food security, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, conflicts over natural resource use, water management issues, and impacts on local communities - Includes contributions from local researchers who are dealing with these issues first hand, and on a daily basis - Includes a comparative review on REDD+ implementation in different communities - Focuses on sustainability issues across the region

Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Southeast Asia, Volumes 1-4 brings together scientific research and policy issues across various topographical area in Asia to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues facing the region. The Reciprocal Relationship between Governance of Natural Resources and Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics in West Sumatra Indonesia, Volume 4, covers a diverse range of issues related to natural resources and its management in West Sumatra Indonesia. The chapters cover issues with livelihood dependence, rights and access to natural resources, natural resources management practices, socio-ecological systems, and governance. Shared experiences and lessons learned from the case studies examined serve as a basis for policy makers and environmental practitioners to recognize the potential of West Sumatra's natural resources for ecological, social and economic development, food security, poverty alleviation, and natural resource sustainability. - Features contributions from mostly local authors - Explores an area experiencing considerable environmental challenges, including impacts on biodiversity and local economies - Includes chapters on forests and illegal logging, land resources, water resources, protected lands, and biodiversity - Examines case studies as a basis for policy makers and environmental practitioners to recognize the potential of West Sumatra's natural resources for ecological, social and economic development, food security, poverty alleviation, and natural resource sustainability

Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Southeast Asia, Volumes 1-4 brings together scientific research and policy issues across various topographical areas in Asia to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues facing this region. Natural Resource Dynamics and Social Ecological Systems in Central Vietnam: Development, Resource Changes and Conservation Issues, Volume 3, focuses on the issues specific to Central Vietnam that are also found globally. War had significantly impacted both land and water resources, from which it had to recover environmentally. Additionally, this is an area with growing urbanization pressures and industrial development, both of which are known for stretching resources beyond their limits. The introduction of several hydro-electric power projects have even further eroded the local agricultural and forest ecosystems. This volume looks at Central Vietnam holistically, from management and use to policy and data-driven solutions. - Provides land management practitioners and policy makers with the tools to deal with natural resource issues in a developing nation - Reviews the impacts of the first PES, Payment for Ecosystem Services, policies upon which were based similar programs in Latin America - Reviews the current and potential future land management of Central Vietnam, giving an eye to solutions for any nation impacted by war, trying to balance development with conservation efforts and provide their populations with sustainable economic futures - Examines Central Vietnam holistically, from management and use to policy and data-driven solutions

For many politicians and observers in the West, East Asia has provided a broad range of positive images of the state's intervention in society. Neoliberals grew excited by popular welfare systems that cost little in expenditure and bureaucracy. Social-democrats thought they had found a model for social cohesion and equality. In fact the reality in East Asia is rather different from these stereotypes. In this book six specialists of six different societies in East Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Singapore and Hong Kong) examine the role of the state in their welfare systems. There are detailed case studies on pensions, health insurance, housing and personal social services. They provide an up-to-date detailed account of how these systems have developed as well as an examination of the question of whether these welfare regimes are the natural outgrowth of cultural traditions or the result of economic and political conditions. This broad-ranging and detailed study will be welcomed by both students and policy makers as the first proper academic study in English to have such a wide coverage of this topic. Its clarity and authority should come as a welcome alternative to the more common misconceptions about Asian society.

This book examines the economic, social and political thought of two highly influential cross-disciplinary contributors to the debate in the United Kingdom about welfare economics, social welfare, nationalisation and public policy. Active between the 1880s and the 1930s, their many books, papers, lectures and speeches shaped the discourse on heterodox economics, social democracy and the managed economy. The Webbs sat on Royal Commissions, permeated local and central government, and were instrumental in the creation of the London School of Economics. This book discusses and assesses their contribution to the broad topics of inequality, poverty, unemployment, freedom, capitalism, socialism, constitutional reform, social evolution and the historical school. Issues such as these remain at the forefront of contemporary discussions not just in Britain but throughout the world.