On the brink of extinction: a new freshwater amphipod Jesogammarus acalceolus (Anisogammaridae) from Japan

Freshwater habitats, especially cold springs, are environments in which the risk of extinction faced by organisms remains high due to human activities. To conserve endangered species, it is important to describe and name them. Here, a new, endangered freshwater anisogammarid amphipod species, Jesogammarus (Jesogammarus) acalceolussp. nov., found in a spring in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is described which is potentially the sole remaining habitat of this species. Both morphological and molecular phylogenetic results strongly support the nesting of the new species within Jesogammarus. Jesogammarus (J.) acalceolussp. nov. is the first species of genus Jesogammarus that was found to lack a calceolus, a sensory organ located on male antenna 2. Thus, the diagnostic criteria for this genus required amendment. A reconstruction of ancestral calceoli, based on a molecular phylogenetic tree, revealed that the common ancestor of Jesogammarus possessed calceoli, which were secondarily lost in J. (J.) acalceolussp. nov. Our results indicate that this new species, which is key to clarifying the evolution of the calceolus, is of high conservation significance.

Time-Slip Journey to Jomon Period: A Case Study of Heritage Tourism in Aomori Prefecture, Japan

This study focuses on Aomori, a prefecture situated in the northern part of the Japanese main island Honshu. Riding on the popularity of time-slip-themed entertainment, Aomori began to brand itself as a place where people can experience a time-travel journey to the Jomon, the Japanese prehistoric era. Through this study, we investigated the practice of Aomori to incorporate fantasy in its heritage tourism. Mixed-method research was used to retrieve and analyze information about Aomori and its Jomon-themed time-slip tourism, including desk research and word frequency analysis. While selling fantasy in tourism is a not-so-new topic, the Aomori case shed light on the alternative strategy that regional areas can consider. The prefecture showed us the prospect to combine fantasy and the local culture to attract younger tourists and dedicated pop-culture fans to visit the local attractions. It also demonstrated the potential of thematic fantasy in heritage tourism, especially archaeotourism, often perceived as boring by the younger generation. Additionally, the Aomori case indicated the importance of tourism infrastructure, creative marketing, and innovation in heritage tourism. It further signifies the importance of speeding up digital transformation for the future of heritage tourism.

A Study on the Blue Coloration of Ao-ike Pond, Aomori Prefecture, Japan: Formulation of a Physical Model in Terms of Radiance and Image Analyses

The blue coloration model of a closed pond, Ao-ike Pond, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, was formulated in terms of radiance by applying a theory of observation devices proposed by Szirmay-Kalos (2008) and Hanaishi’s reverse ray tracing method. In this model, three potential contributions to the coloration were considered; irregular reflection at the Lambertian pond bottom, density fluctuation scattering by water, and Mie scattering by suspended solids. By utilizing model formulas for these mechanisms, some parameters were determined in order to duplicate the images of the pond surface without solar shading by tree leaves above the pond surface, in addition to the images with sunbeam trajectories by solar radiations passing through tree leaves, which are emitted from the water and visible on the surface. Simulating the pictures of the pond surface and the sun-beam-image analyses revealed that the blue colorations of Ao-ike Pond are mainly produced (1) by the density fluctuation scattering of water itself and the white Mie scattering by suspended solids and (2) by the red-light absorption by water in the optical paths before and after the two scatterings. Then, the density fluctuation scattering of water and the Mie scattering by suspended solids exhibited contributions of almost equal magnitude. The contribution of irregular reflections at the pond bottom was judged to be relatively small.

Interhospital Transmission of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Faecium in Aomori, Japan

A series of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREf) outbreaks caused by clonal propagation due to inter-hospital transmission occurred in six general hospitals in Aomori prefecture, Japan. This was the first multi-jurisdictional outbreak of VREf sequence type 1421 in Japan. It took almost three years for VREf prevalence to return to pre-outbreak levels. The duration and size of outbreaks differed between hospitals according to the countermeasures available at each hospital. Prompt and strong countermeasures including patient isolation and repetitive screening of all inpatients were required to control the outbreaks. In addition to strict infection control measures, continuous monitoring of VREf prevalence in local medical regions and smooth and immediate communication among hospitals are required to prevent VREf outbreaks.

On the Brink of Extinction: A New Freshwater Amphipod Jesogammarus Acalceolus (Anisogammaridae) From Japan

Freshwater habitats, especially cold springs, are environments in which the extinction risk faced by organisms remains high due to human activities. The extinction risks faced by many species go unrecognized prior to their extinction. To conserve endangered species, it is important to describe and name them. Here, we describe a new, endangered freshwater anisogammarid amphipod species, Jesogammarus (Jesogammarus) acalceolus sp. nov., found in a spring in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, which is potentially the sole remaining habitat of this species. Both morphological and molecular phylogenetic results strongly support the nesting of the new species within Jesogammarus. Jesogammarus (J.) acalceolus sp. nov. is the first species of genus Jesogammarus that was found to lack a calceolus, a sensory organ located on male antenna 2. Thus, the diagnostic criteria for this genus required amendment. A reconstruction of ancestral calceoli, based on a molecular phylogenetic tree, revealed that the common ancestor of Jesogammarus possessed calceoli, which were secondarily lost in J. (J.) acalceolus sp. nov. Our results indicate that this new species, which is key to clarifying the evolution of the calceolus, is of high conservation significance.

Ethnography, Kokugaku, and Community in Modern Japan

The concluding chapter documents the transition of the country of Tsugaru from early modern Tokugawa society to the modern Meiji nation-state, through the experiences of the Hirata school kokugaku scholars residing in Hirosaki castle town. The chapter explores the significance of their efforts to identify their place of belonging from country to nation, and considers the legacy of their work and experiences. It discusses the legacy of the Hirata disciples in Hirosaki domain and Aomori prefecture and the lessons that can be learned from their experiences. The chapter also presents the document Namelist of Festival Participants (Shukusaiten yūshi meibo), which shows how Shinto priest Osari Nakaakira led annual festivals to venerate the Four Great Men of kokugaku some three decades after the Restoration, as well as the shōkonsai festival and the religious Separation of Shinto and Buddhism policy. Ultimately, it discusses Nakaakira's discussion on the effects of the kokugakusha's (Japan studies scholars) endeavours.