Shinzo Abe's security legislation reform and peacebuilding in Mindanao

Recent literature on Japanese foreign policy has focused on analysing the implications of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security legislation reform for the bilateral security alliance relationship with the US amidst a rising China and the right to collective self-defence. Its impact on Japan's multilateral security policy, in particular, peacebuilding, has so far received little attention. In what ways and to what extent does Japan play a peacebuilding role under this change? This article examines key implications of the security legislation reform, along with the renewal of Japan's Official Development Assistance charter, for its peacebuilding efforts. By taking Mindanao, the Philippines, as a case study, it argues that Abe focuses on taking a foreign aid-centred approach while showing little interest in sending Japanese Self-Defence Force. This article provides a counter-narrative to the claim that Japan is taking a more assertive approach to international security. Abe is more risk-averse as far as his approach to peacebuilding is concerned.     

The Asian situation and Japan’s response: With an emphasis on the Korean Peninsula

Mr. Kuranari is a former minister of foreign affairs of Japan. This paper was originally presented at a conference on “Problems of Peace, Security, and Economic Cooperation in the Asian and Pacific Region,” cosponsored by the Institute for Sino-Soviet Studies of George Washington University and Yomiuri Shimbun of Tokyo, Japan, May 19–21, 1988, in Washington, D.C.     

A survey of the potency of Japanese illicit cannabis in fiscal year 2010

In recent years, increased 'cannabis potency', or Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis products, has been reported in many countries. A survey of Japanese illicit cannabis was conducted from April 2010 to March 2011. In Japan, all cannabis evidence is transferred to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare after criminal trials. The evidence was observed at Narcotics Control Department offices in major 11 cities. The total number of cannabis samples observed was 9072, of which 6376 were marijuana. The marijuana seizures were further classified, and it was found that in terms of the number of samples, 65.2% of them were seedless buds, and by weight 73.0% of them were seedless buds. Seedless buds were supposed to be 'sinsemilla', a potent class of marijuana. THC, cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) in marijuana seizures exceeding 1g were quantified. The number of samples analyzed was 1115. Many of them were shown to contain CBN, an oxidative product from THC. This was a sign of long-term storage of the cannabis and of the degradation of THC. Relatively fresh cannabis, defined by a CBN/THC ratio of less than or equal to 0.1, was chosen for analysis. Fresh seedless buds (335 samples) contained an average of 11.2% and a maximum of 22.6% THC. These values are comparable to those of 'high potency cannabis' as defined in previous studies. Thus, this study shows that highly potent cannabis products are distributed in Japan as in other countries.     

Development of a Library Search‐Based Screening System for 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Ecstasy Tablets Using a Portable Near‐Infrared Spectrometer

This is the first report on development of a library search‐based screening system for 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in ecstasy tablets using a portable near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The spectrum library consisted of spectra originating from standard substances as well as mixtures of MDMA hydrochloride (MDMA‐HCl) and diluents. The raw NIR spectra were mathematically pretreated, and then, a library search was performed using correlation coefficient. To enhance the discrimination ability, the wavelength used for the library search was limited. Mixtures of MDMA‐HCl and diluents were used to decide criteria to judge MDMA‐positive or MDMA‐negative. Confiscated MDMA tablets and medicinal tablets were used for performance check of the criteria. Twenty‐two of 27 MDMA tablets were truly judged as MDMA‐positive. Five false‐negative results may be caused by compounds not included in the library. No false‐positive results were obtained for medicinal tablets. This system will be a useful tool for on‐site screening of MDMA tablets.     

Understanding Japan’s Peacebuilding in Concept and Practice

In the post–Cold War era, Japan has developed its own version of peacebuilding in concept and practice and has taken a non-coercive approach to peacebuilding. It has been underpinned by domestic norms of pacifism. This article elaborates on the underexplored theme of Japan’s peacebuilding by focussing on its conceptual basis and three key dimensions of practice. It aims at providing a refined understanding of the Japanese version of peacebuilding, which encompasses highly comprehensive activities in and beyond troubled regions, while carefully excluding the role of military coercion. This article first presents a brief overview of the term ‘peacebuilding’ understood internationally. It then examines Japan’s understanding of the concept of peacebuilding. It consists of the ‘consolidation of peace’ as an immediate contribution to peace and human security, and ‘state-building’ as establishing and enhancing political, economic and social frameworks for durable peace in the long run. The third section of this article investigates three important dimensions of Japan’s peacebuilding practice: (1) the on-the-ground effort in troubled regions consisting of non-military peacekeeping and the provision of foreign aid; (2) taking leadership in developing principles of, and approaches to, peacebuilding in international forums; and (3) human resource development for fostering civilian peacebuilders at home. Finally, this article concludes that Japan is carving out its niche in the field of peacebuilding, suggesting that it is constructing an identity as a peacebuilder.     

Typing the 1.1 kb control region of human mitochondrial DNA in Japanese individuals

This study presents a reliable method that uses high-fidelity long-range PCR and optimized primers to assess polymorphism and to genotype human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This method was used to analyze polymorphic sites in the human mtDNA control region, including hypervariable regions I, II, and III (HVI, HVII, and HVIII), from 124 unrelated Japanese individuals. In HVI, HVII, and HVIII, 80, 37, and 14 polymorphic sites were identified, respectively, excluding those in the homopolymeric cytosine stretch (C-stretch) regions. The region between HVI and HVII also contained 15 polymorphic sites. On the other hand, C-stretch length heteroplasmy in HVI or HVII was observed in 66 of 124 Japanese individuals (53%), which is much higher than in Caucasian populations. The variants in the C-stretch regions were characterized by counting the number of heteroplasmic peaks split from the single peak in homoplasmic sequences (i.e., 16244G and 16255G in HVI and 285G in HVII). Including the C-stretch length heteroplasmy, the 124 Japanese mtDNA samples were classified into 116 distinct haplotypes. The random match probability and the genetic diversity were estimated to be 0.95% and 0.998581, respectively, indicating that the method presented here has higher discrimination than the conventional method for mtDNA typing using HVI and HVII. [Correction added after publication 30 January 2007: in the preceding sentence random match probability and genetic diversity estimates were corrected from 0.95 and 0.998581%, respectively, to 0.95% and 0.998581, respectively.] The haplogroups and their frequencies observed in this study (i.e., D4; 13.7%, M7a1; 11.3%, D4a; 9.7% and M7b2; 8.9%) were similar to those observed in other studies of Japanese mtDNA polymorphism. The method described here is suitable for forensic applications, as shown by successful analysis of tissues from highly putrefied remains of an infant, which allowed maternal relationship to be determined via mtDNA haplotyping.     

Changes in methamphetamine impurity profiles induced by tert-butoxycarbonylation

Analysis of impurities in methamphetamine (MA) can be used to characterize MA seizures, investigate the relationship among MA seizures, and provide information on their synthetic routes. Recently, chemically derivatized MA, such as tert-butoxycarbonyl (t-Boc) MA, has been seized and attracted attention because routine forensic analysis methods may fail to correctly identify them. Chemical derivatization is a simple method for protection and deprotection of a compound, and protection of MA using t-Boc can be used to mask the MA. Although t-Boc derivatization might alter the impurity profile of MA, the actual changes in the impurity profile have not been investigated. In this study, changes in the MA impurity profile with tert-butoxycarbonylation were explored. MA and some typical impurities were derivatized using di-tert-butyl dicarbonate and water. Analysis of the impurities in five MA samples by gas chromatography showed that peaks both appeared and disappeared for the deprotected MA compared with the original MA. However, typical impurities important for characterizing MA seizures were conserved after derivatization and deprotection. Most of the new peaks were speculated to be contaminants introduced during derivatization and deprotection. A peak giving a mass spectrum similar to that of t-Boc MA was detected in the chromatograms of t-Boc MA and deprotected MA. Although the origin of this peak was not determined, it might be a marker for the MA involving tert-butoxycarbonylation. These results indicate that tert-butoxycarbonylation can alter the MA impurity profile; therefore, care is needed when interpreting results for derivatized MA.     

Direct identification of various copper phthalocyanine pigments in automotive paints and paint smears by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Direct identification of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and chlorinated CuPcs in paints for discrimination between blue automobile paints by means of laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) in the absence of a matrix is reported. The models consisted of eight commercially available CuPc pigments applied to a piece of plain white coating paper. The relationship between the peak intensity at m/z 575 of the CuPc, the number of pulsed laser shots, and laser power was compared to optimize laser abrasion. LDMS analysis of the model paints demonstrated that all characteristic components of the CuPc pigments in the paint films were in good agreement with those in the powder pigments. Further, the chlorinated CuPcs in the paint films could be distinguished. A quantity of 42 blue paint films, representing the paints used for painting Japanese domestic trucks, was examined by LDMS analysis. Results indicate that the paints can be classified into four categories based on the chlorinated CuPc components of the paints. Therefore, LDMS spectra of CuPc pigments would be useful for the identification of paints in forensic investigations. Herein, we report the successful identification of the CuPcs in a paint smear on the frame of a bicycle damaged in a hit-and-run accident, using the LDMS spectra.     

Synthesis and Analysis of Glucuronic Acid‐Conjugated Metabolites of 4‐Bromo‐2,5‐Dimethoxyphenethylamine

In the study reported here, two glucuronic acid‐conjugated metabolites of 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C‐B)—a ring‐substituted psychoactive phenethylamine—were chemically synthesized for the first time and a method for analyzing them in urine was developed. β‐D‐Glucuronide of 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylethylalcohol was successfully synthesized using methyl 2,3,4‐tri‐Ο‐acetyl‐1‐O‐(trichloroacetimidoyl)‐α‐D‐glucuronate as a glucuronyl donor and boron trifluoride diethylether complex as a Lewis acid catalyst. β‐D‐Glucuronide of 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylacetic acid was synthesized by condensing 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylacetic acid and benzyl D‐glucuronate followed by benzyl group deprotection based on catalytic hydrogenation. Two glucuronic acid‐conjugated metabolites of 2C‐B in urine were qualitatively and semiquantitatively evaluated via direct liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of a diluted urine sample. The simple method proposed is expected to be useful for studying the metabolic fate of 2C‐B.     

Rapid enantiomeric analysis of zopiclone in serum by supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Zopiclone (ZOP) is a hypnotic drug prescribed to treat insomnia. Due to the chiral nature of ZOP, the psychologically active S-form and inactive R-form need to be determined enantiomerically in a forensic drug analysis. In the present study, a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) method was designed with a faster analysis ability than that of previously reported techniques. The SFC–tandem mass spectrometry (SFC–MS/MS) method was optimized using a column with a chiral polysaccharide stationary phase (Trefoil CEL2). ZOP was extracted from pooled human serum using solid-phase extraction (Oasis HLB) and analyzed. The developed SFC–MS/MS method achieved the baseline separation of S-ZOP and R-ZOP within 2 min. The fit-for-purpose method validation indicated that the optimized solid-phase extraction achieved near complete recovery and approximately 70% of the matrix effect. Both the retention time and peak area showed sufficient precision. The lower and upper limits of quantification (LOQ) were 5.7 × 10⁻² ng/mL and 25 ng/mL for R-ZOP, and 5.2 × 10⁻² ng/mL and 25 ng/mL for S-ZOP. The calibration line was linear in the range from lower LOQ to upper LOQ. The stability test indicated that ZOP in serum stored in a refrigerator (4°C) degraded and about 55% remained in 31 days. The quick analysis of the SFC–MS/MS method makes it a valid option for the enantiomeric analysis of ZOP.