There are social problems which have been commonly observed in the global society and lasting for decades . On the other hand, some social problems emerged only recently. The former type s of social problems can be largely divided into two groups; one involves those, which exists but are not understood or recognized fully and another includes those, which are recognized quite well and whose solutions have been discussed or applied but remain in the society because of various reasons , for climate change and gender inequality We can call these two groups of social problems as type 1 and 2. The latter type s of social problems are new, for instance, the inequality caused by the Covid-19 and individualization. We can call these emerging social problems as type 3. To tackle the second group of the former types of problems , type 2 and the latter types of social problems, type 3 new and innovative approaches may be needed.

For social problem solving, there are different actors, academia, citizens, international and national government, NGOs, private companies, and their roles could differ depending on the issues. Leading sector for solutions may
also differ and the process of social problem solving can be diverse. When social problems become complex, multidisciplinary methods may be 3 appropriate appropriate.

In this research, we will study we will study activities, projects, and services activities, projects, and services to solve to solve those type those type 2 and 32 and 3 problems problems in developing countries and Japan in developing countries and Japan, which require , which require innovative approaches innovative approaches. Essential factors and bottlenecks for Essential factors and bottlenecks for innovative innovative approaches and solutions to social approaches and solutions to social problems problems will be identified will be identified and policy and policy recommendations will be made recommendations will be made as a result of our studies as a result of our studies.

Research Group: ”Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems”　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

The research group (RG) on Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems (IDSSP) was launched early 2022 with the objective of tackling common issues observed in the world and sharing solutions and lessons learned in the process of innovative approaches that can be applicable elsewhere.

We had several events in 2022.

We organized a roundtable session for the 23^rd JASID Spring Conference and invited two professors, one from Taiwan and another from Thailand, to share their experiences. Dr. Vincent Y. Chen at the Department of Leisure Management, Minghsin University of Science and Technology & Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University from Taiwan explained the application of AI for environmental protection in tourism development and Dr. Ariya Svetamra at the Department of Women’s Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University demonstrated the use of FPAR(Feminist Participatory Action Research) to cope with the issue of violence toward female migrant workers. This session was consisted of two parts, lectures, and discussions. In the latter part, participants expressed their opinions for these lectures and shared their own experiences. Both speakers and participants are from outside Japan and attended the session virtually. The session was facilitated by the Chairperson of this RG, Dr. Naoko Shinkai at the Department of Policy Studies, Tsuda University and the Vice-Chair, Dr. Pei-Hsin Hsu at Taiwan Forestry Research Institute.

After this, we had a small seminar with Dr. Chen to follow up some details on his project in July.

We also hosted a webinar, a research seminar on Business Innovation During the Crises: no trade-off between human rights and business performance in September, 2022. This seminar was co-organized with the Research Institute for Policy Studies, Tsuda University (TU-RIPS). We invited two guest speakers from Sri Lanka, Dr. Rukmal Weerasinghe, Professor, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, and the Chairperson of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Dr. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The Chairperson of this RG and the Director of TU-RIPS, Dr. Naoko Shinkai, made opening remarks and served as a facilitator

The details can be found from the websites below:

The seminar flyer:

The report of this seminar:

In 2023, we plan to have seminars and a session about innovation and development at the JASID conference. Since most of the RG’s members reside overseas, we will continue our activities virtually.

We appreciate your support and look forward to your participation.

Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems
Representative: Naoko Shinkai, Tsuda University

Activity Report in the FY 2022

(Oct. 2021-Sept. 2022)

IDSSP (Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems) was launched in January 2022 after its establishment was approved in the 32nd Annual Conference of JASID in Nov. 2021. This research group was created to provide a platform for researchers in the field of international development to exchange ideas and share knowledge on the process of solving social issues, which are commonly observed in the World, and conduct inter-disciplinary research on applicable innovations. Since half of our members reside outside of Japan, all activities have been conducted online.

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In Jan., 2022, a kick-off meeting was held and members were introduced. We also planned our activities for the financial year 2021-2022.

Between Feb. and April, 2022, we prepared for a round table session in the 23^rd Spring Conference of JASID. We chose guest speakers and topics, and communicated with guest speakers to organize our session.

In June 2022, a roundtable session, titled “Prospects in Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems: Learning from Cases in Asia“, was held during the 23^rd Spring Conference of JASID. In this roundtable session, we discussed commonality and differences of social issues in Asia and the use of multifaceted approaches in problem-solving. We invited two guest speakers, Dr. Vincent Y-W Chen at the Department of Leisure Management, Minghsin University of Science and Technology and Technology & Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, and Dr. Ariya Svetamra, Department of Women’s Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Dr. Chen presented on “The Application of AI Technology to Address SDG issues” and demonstrated the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect green sea turtles in Xiao Liuqiu island, Taiwan, and how to develop sustainable tourism and communities for nature conservation.

Dr. Svetamra presented on “Gendered Dynamics of Women Migrant Workers in Northern Thailand”, described the severe conditions, which migrant women in Northern Thailand had to face in their lives, and explained the application of FPAR (Feminist Participatory Action Research) to create their opportunities in the future. In the discussion session following two talks, participants shared the issues and knowledge in tourism development and international migration.

The vice representative, Dr. Pei-Hsin Hsu, and the representative, Dr. Naoko Shinkai, co-chaired this roundtable session.

 In July 2022, we had a research meeting with Dr. Chen to follow up on the issue of innovation and development from AI prospects.

In September 2022, a joint seminar, 2022 IDSSP-JASID research seminar/The 5^th TU-RIPS seminar on “Business Innovation During the Crises: no trade-off between human rights and business performance “was held.

This seminar was co-organized by IDSSP and the Research Institute for Policy Studies, Tsuda University. In this seminar, two professors from Sri Lanka, Dr. Rukmal Weerasinghe, Professor, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce and the Chairperson, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and Dr. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka made presentations.

Dr. Weerasinghe provided a talk on the innovative business operations in Sri Lanka in a state of multiple crises, economic and financial crises, and pandemic, and illustrated how the right of employees was preserved.

Following the talk by Dr. Weerashinghe, Dr. Heenkenda made a speech and added the legal background of human rights in business in Sri Lanka and called attention to possible human rights risks during the crises. In the discussion session after two talks, we reviewed essential factors in leading and developing business in difficult times without sacrificing human rights.

In addition, we had a preparatory meeting with guest speakers and core members before each event and two supplemental research meetings with core members.

Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems
Representative: Naoko Shinkai, Tsuda University

Research Group: ”Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems”　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

This research group (RG) was proposed last year to aim for discussing innovative approaches to tackle social problems, which are common in the world and need attention.

The research topic also reflects on the theme of the 31st JASID Annual Conference, organized by Tsuda University, which commemorated its 120th anniversary in 2020; “Time for Change: Innovation for Inclusive Society”.

Members consist of the Executive Chair, Professor Izumi Ohno and some Conference Executive Committee members of the 31st JASID Annual Conference, alumni of GSID, Nagoya University, and colleagues at JASID etc. The representative of this RG is Dr. Naoko Shinkai, Tsuda University and the Vice Representative is Dr. Pei-Hsin Hsu, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute.

This RG was approved at the 32nd JASID Annual Conference, held in Nov. 2021. We had the first virtual member meeting in Jan. 2022. We talked about our research topic and exchanged views on related issues.

We plan to invite some guest speakers and hold virtual seminars. We are also planning a session at the JASID conference. Since most of the RG’s members reside overseas, the RG’s activities will be conducted virtually.

We appreciate your support and look forward to your participation.

Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems
Representative: Naoko Shinkai, Tsuda University

2022 IDSSP-JASID Research Seminar-The 5th TU-RIPS Seminar on Sept. 25th, 2022

We are pleased to announce that there will be a research seminar on business innovation during the crises. We have invited a guest speaker and a commentator from Sri Lanka, who are famous in this field.

Business Innovation During the Crises:
no trade-off between human rights and business performance

• Date: Sunday, September 25th, 2022
• Time: 15:00-16:30 (JST, GMT+9)
• Place: Online, Zoom

This seminar will be conducted in English and free of charge but prior registration is required for attendance and/or access to a seminar recording.

Details on abstract, speakers’ profiles, and registration are found here.

Please register no later than 13:00 (JST, GMT+9) on Wed. Sept. 21, 2022.

Speaker:

Dr. Rukmal Weerasinghe, Professor, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce
Chairperson, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Commentator:

Dr. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Facilitator:

Dr. Naoko Shinkai, Director, Research Institute for Policy Studies, Tsuda University Professor, Department of Policy Studies, Tsuda University, Japan
Chairperson, Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems, JASID

We look forward to your participation.

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Contact

Organized by:

Innovation and Development for Solving Social Problems, JASID(IDSSP-JASID) and Research Institute for Policy Studies, Tsuda University (TU-RIPS)

• Email: [at] (replace [at] with @)