This book investigates the ways in which 'language' and 'culture' come to be standardized through ideology, representation in textbooks and in classroom practices. In doing so, it provides insights into the standardization processes which address the theoretical and practical concerns of researchers and educators. The cases that this book illustrate a wide range of Japanese language/culture standardization processes in numerous contexts: translation in Meiji-era Japan, the ideologies of the standardization of regional dialects in Japan, practices in college Japanese-as-a-Foreign-Language classrooms in the United States, discourses in journals of Japanese language education, and classroom practices in nursery and primary schools in Japan. Japan has undergone extensive standardization in terms of its culture and language to such a degree that they are commonly believed to be homogeneous, providing an important case for a study of standardization. Few such studies have been published in English, making this book all the more important.

Various environmental issues are related to urban activities. Through the growing recognition of the necessity to develop sustainable urban mana- ment, the University of Tokyo established the Center for Sustainable Urban Regeneration (cSUR) in July 2003. A research program at the cSUR was designed to create an integrated approach and to provide knowledge for s- tainable urban regeneration with the aid of a global network of researchers and professionals, and to coordinate the international research alliance made up of leading academic institutions worldwide. As part of the program, several studies have been conducted focusing on urban environmental problems in Asian megacities such as Tokyo, Taipei, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Bangkok. The following topics in particular were selected for integrated and strategic research supported by researchers from the fields of architecture, civil engineering, and environmental engineering: -Integrated analysis of the urban atmospheric environment and its re- tionship with control of indoor air conditions in East and Southeast Asian countries -Dynamic behavior of urban non-point pollutants in coastal envir- ments The research contains interesting intensive field-monitoring data on the coastal environment and the urban air environment. Topics also include state-of-the-art environmental monitoring and simulation analysis in urban areas. Key aspects of the research in advanced monitoring and the appli- tion of environmental numerical simulation were selected for inclusion in this book. Integrating the monitoring and modeling of urban environments is essential for engineers to identify and investigate environmental problems and their solutions.

Disaster Resilient Cities: Concepts and Practical Examples discusses natural disasters, their complexity, and the exploration of different ways of thinking regarding the resilience of structures. The book provides a blueprint for structural designers to better prepare structures for all types of natural hazards during the design stage. Brief and readable, this book analyzes various examples of disaster damage from earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods, together with their causal mechanisms. Practical methods to plan and design structures based on their regions, cities, as well as the particular countermeasures are also included for study.

The aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of Coastal Engineering from basic theory to engineering practice. The authors of this book are worldwide authorities in the field. Each chapter deals with an important topic in the field of coastal engineering. The topics are of recent deep concern all over the world motivated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami and other natural disasters.For proper coastal zone management, a broad range of knowledge is necessary. This book provides a basic understanding of the theories behind the diverse natural phenomena within the coastal areas, such as waves, tsunamis and sediment transport. The book also introduces various coastal conservation technologies such as coastal structures and beach nourishment. Finally, coastal zone management practices in the USA, Europe, and Japan are introduced.Each chapter is self-standing and readers can begin from any topic depending on their interest.

Various environmental issues are related to urban activities. Through the growing recognition of the necessity to develop sustainable urban mana- ment, the University of Tokyo established the Center for Sustainable Urban Regeneration (cSUR) in July 2003. A research program at the cSUR was designed to create an integrated approach and to provide knowledge for s- tainable urban regeneration with the aid of a global network of researchers and professionals, and to coordinate the international research alliance made up of leading academic institutions worldwide. As part of the program, several studies have been conducted focusing on urban environmental problems in Asian megacities such as Tokyo, Taipei, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Bangkok. The following topics in particular were selected for integrated and strategic research supported by researchers from the fields of architecture, civil engineering, and environmental engineering: -Integrated analysis of the urban atmospheric environment and its re- tionship with control of indoor air conditions in East and Southeast Asian countries -Dynamic behavior of urban non-point pollutants in coastal envir- ments The research contains interesting intensive field-monitoring data on the coastal environment and the urban air environment. Topics also include state-of-the-art environmental monitoring and simulation analysis in urban areas. Key aspects of the research in advanced monitoring and the appli- tion of environmental numerical simulation were selected for inclusion in this book. Integrating the monitoring and modeling of urban environments is essential for engineers to identify and investigate environmental problems and their solutions.

This book covers the restoration and reconstruction process and activities undertaken in Japan in the first five years since the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami - a period widely considered to be the most intensive reconstruction phase within the 10-year restoration plan drawn up by the Japanese Government. The respective chapters explore technical, scientific, social and non-scientific (policy-related) aspects, including: reconstruction and restoration policies, infrastructure and designs for tsunami coastal defence, resilient urban areas and affected communities, housing and relocation schemes, disaster mitigation and evacuation measures, reactivation of the economy, revitalization of fisheries and coastal agriculture, and industry and tourism. The book also illustrates some of the achievements and failures in a broad range of projects and initiatives intended to address the above-mentioned issues, making it particularly relevant for experts, decision makers, students and other interested scholars.