The policy of the activity of KOKUDOKEN (JAPAN INSTITUTE OF LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES)

Publication

KOKUDOKEN publishes the journals "KOKUDO-MONDAI" (Land and Environmental Problems) which carries complete research reports and "KOKUDO-MONDAI NOW" which carries featured articles on contemporary topics. Usually two issues are published every year. The newsletter is issued montly. The language is Japanese unless the author likes to write in English.
     Academic meetings are held usually two times in a year. Meetings for reporting the result of the commissioned researches are held on request. The venue of the meetings depends on the theme. Japanese is spoken in the meetings unless the speaker likes to speak in English. The proceedings of the meetings may be printed in our journals.

About commissioned researches

When you wish for researches into planning or solution of regional environment, and hazard problems, consult with board of directors through the office or an administration officer, or a regular member KOKUDOKEN.

As a general rule, the commission is available for the organizations managed by citizens, farmers or fishermen, local administrations, workers’ union, or scientists, including the related organizations. We don’t give a commission to commercial companies. For the field investigations, we send a research group consisting of competent professionals belonging to our institute, and carry out the research cooperating with local inhabitants.
In principle, the fee for commissioned research is used for the actual expense. It is calculated according to our basic rule. It may involve donation.
We prepare the contract document of the prescribed format.

Before we submit the final report, the research group may an interim presentation or research seminar for the regional people.
If you have any questions of our research policy, consult us without hesitation.

About requesting consultation, advice, and lecturers and related service

When a group or an organization needs consultation, advice, and lecturer for seminars, research workshops and symposia about the issues such as environmental problems, hazard and pollution problems, water-related problems, development problems, and road traffic problems, we can send appropriate professionals on request (in this case, please contribute us for the actual expense and for the maintenance of our institute).
Our policy for public projects KOKUDOKEN regards the implementation of following five principles as a fundamental condition for agreement with public projects when there exists any possibility that local residents could suffer disadvantage.

1. The publicity of information and data Before the implementation of projects, all information including the research for planning, the policy of compensation, the assignment of expense, the environmental assessment must be disclosed to the communities and citizens concerned.
2. The public involvement for the plan Before the planning of the project directly and indirectly influence local inhabitants, the administrative measures to directly adopt the opinions of local inhabitants should be taken, including not only economic problems but also environmental and psychological aspects.
3. The Development of local industry and the improvement of living Any projects should, irrespective of their purpose, aim at the development of a better local industry and better quality of lives of local residents in addition to finishing the project. In order for this purpose, the conditions of the life, houses and residential lands, industrial facilities, public facilities, natural environment, and local water resources should be better than before. Otherwise they should be compensated.
4, The priority of local inhabitants When a conflict happens among the beneficiaries in the projects, disaster prevention, conservation of environment and other kinds of interest should be prioritized for the local residents. It should be considered for the planning of facility and their management as well.
5. The implementation of aftercare When direct or indirect disadvantages is anticipated to be caused afterwards by a project, the countermeasure or the compensation should be promised before the implementation.

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