Field Study on Nationality Differences in Adaptive Thermal Comfort of University Students in Dormitories during Summer in Japan

A summer field study was conducted in two university dormitories in the Tokai region of Central Japan. The study aimed at understanding the correlation between subjective thermal responses as well as whether nationality was affecting the responses. It was observed that nationality significantly affected thermal sensitivity and preference. The occupants’ acceptance for thermal stress was invariably above 90%. Despite the high levels of humidity observed, the multiple regression model showed that only the indoor air temperature was significant for explaining the variability of thermal sensation for both Japanese and non-Japanese students. The highest probability of voting neutral for university students in dormitory buildings in the Tokai region of Japan was estimated within 24~26.5 °C (by probit analysis). Japanese students were more sensitive to their indoor environment as opposed to the international students. The adjusted linear regression coefficient yielded from the room-wise day-wise averages were 0.48/K and 0.35/K for Japanese sensitivity and international sensitivity, respectively. In our study, the Griffiths’ model of estimating comfort temperature (or thermal neutrality) showed weak predictability and notable differences from the actually voted comfort. The neutral and comfort temperature observed and estimated in the study remained invariably below the recommended temperature threshold for Japan in summer leading to believe that that threshold is worth reevaluating.

Does Industry Cooperation Policy Matter? Evidence from Five Prefectures in Japan

Taiwan and Japan initiated an industrial cooperation policy and incentive measures in 2011. Five Japanese prefectures in the Tokai Region actively communicated and cooperated with Taiwan after 2011. This motivated us first to address the economic and trade ties between Taiwan and Japan. Second, we compared and analyzed effects of the industrial cooperation policy on the five prefectures, their willingness to cooperate with Taiwan, and the topics brought up by the industry cooperation. Main results indicate that the policy offers positive incentives for industries and enterprises, and the cooperation between enterprises creates mutual benefits. In sum, the bilateral industrial cooperation brings about a win–win situation. With the findings, we make suggestions on future development direction and for the Taiwan–Japan industrial cooperation.

Modeling of Subsurface Velocity Structures from Seismic Bedrock to Ground Surface in the Tokai Region, Japan, for Broadband Strong Ground Motion Prediction

For sophistication of strong ground motion prediction in terms of disaster mitigation, one of the principal issues is to model subsurface velocity structures so that characteristics of earthquake ground motions can be reproduced in the broadband range 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. In recent years, subsurface structures have been modeled in sedimentary layers on seismic bedrock for a few regions of Japan, in a national project. In this study, subsurface velocity structures were modeled from seismic bedrock to the ground surface for the Tokai region. These models were constructed in accordance with the subsurface velocity structure modeling scheme published by the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion. To begin with, initial models were constructed based on existing bore-hole data, geological information, etc. Next, they were improved based on results of microtremor explorations which had been conducted in recent years. It was found that the new model had different characteristics to the conventional model. This paper will present the modeling process and characteristics of distribution maps for velocity structures and amplification index.

Capability of Tokai Strainmeter Network to Detect and Locate a Slow Slip: First Results

The Tokai Strainmeter Network (TSN), a dense network deployed in the Tokai region, which is the easternmost region of the Nankai trough, has been designed to monitor slow slips that reflect changes in the coupling state of the plate boundary. It is important to evaluate the current capability of TSN to detect and locate slow slips. For this purpose, the probability-based magnitude of completeness developed for seismic networks was modified to be applicable to the evaluation of TSN’s performance. Using 35 slow slips having moment magnitudes M5.1–5.8 recorded by TSN in 2012–2016, this study shows that the probability that TSN detected and located a M5-class slow slip is high (> 0.9) when considering a region in and around the TSN. The probability has been found to depend on the slip duration, especially for M5.5 or larger, namely the longer the duration, the lower the probability. A possible use of this method to assess the network’s performance for cases where virtual stations are added to the existing network was explored. The use of this application when devising a strategic plan of the TSN to extend its coverage westwards is proposed. This extension that allows TSN to cover the entire eastern half of the Nankai trough is important, because the historical records show that the eastern half of this trough tends to rupture first.