Hiroaki Shirakawa

Meta-analysis of contingent valuation studies on air pollution-related morbidity risks

Benefits of reduced morbidity are important information for cost-benefit analyses of air pollution control policies. With an increasing number of morbidity valuation studies, policymakers are facing some difficulty handling the accumulated information. This article uses a meta-analysis to attain insights from the literature on economic valuation of short-term health effects due to air pollution. Sixteen available contingent valuation studies on morbidity risk valuation were pooled to identify the relations between willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates and possible influential factors. The results indicate that health risk characteristics expressed in terms of severity and duration of illness, population characteristics (e.g., income and education), and study features affect individuals’ WTP to reduce or avoid a given morbidity. By controlling for these factors, a meta-regression-based function can be used to predict WTP values for use in benefit analyses of policy evaluation.

Cost benefit analysis of the sulfur dioxide emissions control policy in Japan

This study attempted to examine the economic efficiency of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions control policy in Japan using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The SO2 emissions control policy is divided into three stages by epochal policy decisions. Reducing the incidence of chronic bronchitis and asthma are the two main policy benefits considered in this study, and they are estimated mainly based on the cost of illness approach. Policy costs have been derived from private sector investments for pollution control to meet the pollution standards under command and control (CAC) regulations. The estimated results, using a social discount rate of 2.5%, indicate a cost-benefit ratio of 5.39 in stage 1 (1968–1973), 1.18 in stage 2 (1974–1983), and 0.41 in stage 3 (1984–1993). This result indicates that the CAC in Japan used to have strong efficiency but that this efficiency has decreased over time. Our paper suggests that it is necessary to reconsider policy approaches in light of policy efficiency and in moving from SO2 to new target priority pollutants.

Development of an Environmentally Advanced Basin Model in Asia

The second issue is environmental problems resulting from the spread of modern agricultural methods. Since the Green Revolution, Asian nations have greatly increased land productivity through the widespread use of modern agricultural methods such as the adoption of highyielding varieties and chemical fertilizers, in response to population growth. However, modern agricultural methods that promote uniform cultivation simplify ecosystems and are harmful to regional biodiversity. This in turn erodes regional characteristics and weakens the ability of regions to adapt to external change, which carries the risk that a major environmental change could result in catastrophic damages.

A decision-making model for rice paddy cropping in an urbanizing area of the Lao PDR

In Southeast Asia, economic and population growth are expected in the near future. Rapid change is anticipated especially in the Lao PDR. Concern has been expressed that population growth will lead to an increased demand for food and economic growth to changes in the use of land. For food production to keep pace with the growth of population, it is very important to understand decision-making in rice paddy cultivation in urbanizing areas; for this reason, this study with the SEM model was conducted. The original data were collected by a questionnaire survey in some Lao villages; the survey included questions on various conditions, such as the availability of water in the dry season (irrigation), the access to a city, and job opportunities other than farming. The findings of the study demonstrate that the planting of a second rice crop was related to such factors as the productivity of rain-fed rice and cash crops and, most importantly, job opportunities other than farming.

International Cooperation for Building Low-Carbon and Water-Saving Society : Case Study of Japan and China

The Yellow River basin, located in arid and semi-arid area in China, is confronted serious water shortage problems. In this context, central government is promoting development and utilization of vast natural resources in the Yellow River basin, such as coal and natural gases, for national and regional economic growth. The water rights transfer, implemented in Inner Mongolia, is one of the effective policy tools for regional industrial development under severe water deficit conditions. However, as a result of the policy, CO2 emissions have increased in this region due to expanding of coal-fired electric power capacity. Realizing “saving water” and “low-carbon” society in the same time is absolutely necessary in the Yellow River basin. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective cooperation system for technology transfer between Japan and China. In this study, a new cooperation framework, for promoting water rights transfer and utilization of renewable energy in the basin is designed based on existing policies such as CDM, ODA, micro finance, and so on. It is considered that the framework will contribute to sustainable growth of both countries. In addition, some policies for improvement of water environment and ensuring food security in the basin are also discussed. 71 【Report】 Journal of International Development and Cooperation, Vol.17, No.3, 2011, pp. 71-81 International Cooperation for Building Low-Carbon and Water-Saving Society Case Study of Japan and China -