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
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.
