This series covers various issues pertaining to Japan, Japan-Malaysia relations and Japan-Southeast Asia relations. It focusses on trade, investment, finance technology, tourism, human resource development, official development assistance, and politics, defence and security.
ATTRACTING JAPANESE TOURISTS AND ENHANCING THEIR IMPACT ON MALAYSIA
Khoo Hock Aun
1994 39pp RM10.00/US$5.00 ISBN 967-947-181-0
This Japan Research Series paper, part of the Center for Japan Studies at ISIS Malaysia publication programme, describes and analyses Japanese tourist travel to Malaysia. The author is the Deputy Executive Director of the Asean Tourism Information Centre.
JAPAN’S SECURITY POLICY IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA – TOWARDS THE ENHANCEMENT OF ITS SECURITY ROLES
Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda
1994 117pp RM15.00/US$7.50 ISBN967-947-199-3
This study suggests that Japan should play a more positive security role in the Asia-Pacific region in the post-Cold War era. It also explains the historical background and components of Japan’s defence policy. The author introduces various roles Japan could play — economic, political, diplomatic and defence — which are regarded as security roles in the context of ‘comprehensive security’.
MANAGING INNOVATION IN JAPANESE COMPANIES:
LESSONS FOR MALAYSIA
Ong Fon Sim and Mohd Nor Othman
1995 69pp RM11.00/US$5.50 ISBN 967-947-204-3
The purpose of this study is to examine innovation management in Japanese companies by using case studies, and to suggest lessons that Malaysia can learn with regard to upgrading its technology through effective Research and Development (R&D) management. The five companies under study are Kao Corporation, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Matsushita Air-conditioning Group of Companies, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Toshiba Corporation. Through the lessons drawn from the case studies, the authors formulate recommendations for both the government and the private sectors which include the review of the education system, support for small and medium enterprises, investment in research and commitment to R&D.
DOMESTIC VARIABLES OF JAPAN’S COMMITMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Paridah Abd Samad
1995 64pp RM11.00/US$5.50 ISBN967-947-205-1
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of the domestic variables in Japan’s political system to the direction of Japan’s foreign policy towards Southeast Asia. Japan’s internal variables have a significant influence in the formulation of Japanese foreign policy. Three domestic variants which are significant are the political parties, the bureaucrats and the interest groups (business community). Although these three actors play important roles in the process of decision-making in Japan, there is a great deal of variety and difference among them, which creates intense cleavages, making Japanese diplomacy largely characterised by divisive politics. The study also provides recommendations for the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the countries of the region, and redefines Japan’s regional role.
SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE COMPANIES IN JAPAN:
CASE STUDY OF SATO CORPORATION
Norma Mansor
1996 41pp RM10.00/US$5.00 ISBN967-947-212-4
This Japan Research Series study examines some of the salient features behind the success of a Japanese family-owned business, Sato Corporation, a small and medium sized corporation (SMC) under the legal Japanese definition. As background, the history of the Japanese economy is discussed briefly, highlighting some of the Japanese policies and government support in rebuilding the economy after WWII and the indirect assistance to the growth of the SMCs. Lesssons can be learned from the Japanese experience because SMCs, as vibrant entities that add value, depth and resilience to an economy, play an important role in Malaysia’s effort towards becoming an industrialised nation by the year 2020.
