Research Units
ITPU - International Transport Policy Research Unit
Today, we are faced with two major forces; globalization and regional integration. International transport system, however, has not developed sufficiently enough to serve as public infrastructure in this rapidly changing environment. ITPU ? International Transport Policy Research Unit is tasked to foster creative ideas and promote new public policies in international transport system, as well as to enhance research and educational capabilities of GraSPP.
SciTePP - Science, Technology and Public Policy
The interaction between technology and society has been explored in recent years under the headings of Science, Technology and Society (STS) research and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) research. However, few research organization focusing on technology and public policy has been created in Japan. Our Science, Technology, and Public Policy (SciTePP) research unit will bring together researchers from a wide range of academic disciplines, such as public administration, politics, legal studies, economics, and engineering. The group seeks to assess key issues in the field and contribute to the debate over the optimal choice of public policy. We have already launched studies on: Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects (ELSA) project, e-government and public administration, technology and regulatory policies, governance on academic research (e.g., the balance between researcher's accountability and academic freedom), technology and national security, sustainability and public policy. In this unit, there are 5 research projects;
- SEPP Sustainable Energy/Environment and Public Policy
While there are many research projects on sustainability, only a few exist in Japan which specifically deals with technology and public policy. This project is intended to focus on such complicated relationships between technology and public policy for sustainable development. - PADIT Public Administration and IT
PAdIT project examines the nexus between governance and information-communication technologies in terms of the capacity to enhance both public management effectiveness and participatory democracy. Comparative research from international experiences and domestic analysis of current systems in Japan represent prime areas of research focus. - TECUSE Technology Transfer under Sustainable Economy
TECUSE is researching policies to transfer and spread global warming countermeasures technologies in Asian and other developing countries, and to also maintain and boost Japan's industrial competitiveness. - Space Policy Governance
This project is conducting empirical research on the ideal forms of governance and specific legal policies for space development. - iJFF Integrating Joint Fact-Finding into Policy-Making Processes
iJFF aims at rebuilding the relationship in society between science and technology experts and stakeholders involved with policymaking through &rquo;joint fact-finding&lquo; methods action research, so that policies will be drafted based on scientific information that will satisfy stakeholders.
Ocean Policy Unit
The Ocean Policy Unit adopts a comprehensive approach to understanding the increasingly complicated challenges associated with governance of oceans and then strives to improve governance of oceans by educating stakeholders. To support a comprehensive approach, research activities are both interdisciplinary and practically focused enlisting support and cooperation from other university departments.
Health Policy Unit
The Health Policy Unit endeavours to identify strategies to make healthcare more patient-centered and effective. The HPU focuses on both current and future challenges facing a healthcare industry that is becoming increasingly well-financed but also increasingly challenged by the demands of an aging population. The aim is to produce findings that can be disseminated broadly in society and used to educate relevant stakeholders.
STIG—Science, Technology and Innovation Governance Unit
This research unit aims at creating interdisciplinary educational programs to train personnel who will be responsible for science and technology governance, with the acquired knowledge concerning the policy process and evidence-building methods required to formulate and implement science and technology innovation policy.
Human Resource Policy Unit
The human resource policy unit conducts surveys, does research and puts on continuing education programs for all ages with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding of best practices for human resources in the 21st century.