Implementation of National Policies for a Total Asbestos Ban: A Global Comparison

Background Two international Conventions from the International Labor Organization (ILO; C162 Asbestos Convention) and the UN (Basel Convention) offer governments guidelines for achieving a total asbestos ban policy, but the long-term effect of these Conventions on policy implementation, and the role of government effectiveness, remains unknown. We aimed to investigate associations between government ratification of the ILO and UN international Conventions, government effectiveness, and implementation of a national total asbestos ban. Methods We obtained data for year of a national asbestos ban, year of ratification of one or both international Conventions, and World Bank government effectiveness scores for 108 countries that ever used asbestos. We did a survival analysis for countries with data in the follow-up period (March 22, 1989, to Feb 2, 2018) to assess whether ratification of the international Conventions and greater government effectiveness were associated with time of implementation of a national total asbestos ban. Findings Of 108 countries with data for asbestos consumption, nine were excluded because they implemented an asbestos ban before 1989. Therefore, 99 countries were included in the survival analysis. 26 countries ratified both international Conventions and 73 ratified either one or no Convention. Countries that ratified both Conventions had a shorter time to adoption of a total asbestos ban (mean 8·9 [SD 6·4] years) than did countries that ratified one or no Conventions (16·9 [6·1] years). After controlling for government effectiveness, countries that ratified both Conventions had a significantly higher conditional probability of banning asbestos than did those ratifying one or no Convention (hazard ratio [HR] 41·8, 95% CI 4·5–383·3; p=0·0010). For every 1 point increment in government effectiveness, the percentage change in HR for persistent asbestos consumption significantly increased by 127% (95% CI 13–354; p=0·021). Interpretation This study confirms that adoption of both the C162 Asbestos Convention and the Basel Convention facilitates countries in moving towards a total asbestos ban. The effect was reinforced by government effectiveness. Both international programmes and new agreements towards total asbestos bans and government commitments are needed

Recent Mortality from Pleural Mesothelioma, Historical Patterns of Asbestos Use, and Adoption of Bans: A Global Assessment

[[abstract]]BACKGROUND: In response to the health risks posed by asbestos exposure, some countries have imposed strict regulations and adopted bans, whereas other countries have intervened less and continue to use varying quantities of asbestos. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess, on a global scale, national experiences of recent mortality from pleural mesotheliomal historical trends in asbestos use, adoption of bans, and their possible interrelationships. METHODS: For 31 countries with available data, we analyzed recent pleural mesothelioma (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) mortality rates (MRs) using age-adjusted period MRs (deaths/million/year) from 1996 to 2005. We calculated annual percent changes (APCs) in age-adjusted MRs to characterize trends during the period. We characterized historical patterns of asbestos use by per capita asbestos use (kilograms per capita/year) and the status of national bans. RESULTS: Period MRs increased with statistical significance in five countries, with marginal significance in two countries, and were equivocal in 24 countries (five countries in Northern and Western Europe recorded negative APC values). Countries adopting asbestos bans reduced use rates about twice as fast as those not adopting bans. Turning points in use preceded bans. Change in asbestos use during 1970-1985 was a significant predictor of APC in mortality for pleural mesothelioma, with an adjusted R-2 value of 0.47 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The observed disparities in global mesothelioma trends likely relate to country-to-country disparities in asbestos use trends

A Dynamic Defense Force for Japan

Among the various innovations introduced under the new National Defense Program Guidelines released by Japan in 2010, the most important is the “Dynamic Defense Force” concept, which will enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces to operate effectively in the gray area between war and peace that characterizes modern military missions

Japan's China Strategy

Structural change in the international order will have the greatest effect in East Asia with the ascendancy of China as a world economic power. A two-pillar post- Cold War policy of “shaping” China into a model country while “hedging” against its potential as a strategic rival has had to give way under the reality that China is not only an actor “to be shaped” but also an actor “to shape” the region. A new China strategy of “integration, balancing, and deterrence” has been brought forward in the Japanese security policy community. The implications of this shift and of the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake for Japan and the region are outlined in this policy brief

Japan's China Strategy

Structural change in the international order will have the greatest effect in East Asia with the ascendancy of China as a world economic power. A two-pillar post- Cold War policy of “shaping” China into a model country while “hedging” against its potential as a strategic rival has had to give way under the reality that China is not only an actor “to be shaped” but also an actor “to shape” the region. A new China strategy of “integration, balancing, and deterrence” has been brought forward in the Japanese security policy community. The implications of this shift and of the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake for Japan and the region are outlined in this policy brief

Japan’s Defense Industry, Science and Technology in the Northeast Asia Strategic Landscape

Despite its limited presence in the international arms market, great strides have been made in the Japanese defense industry over the last decade, including development of new transport aircraft, a ballistic missile defense system, and a new class of submarines. While these achievements are partly motivated by internal drivers and themselves have driven the capability areas prioritized in the 2010 National Defense Program Guidelines, the main driving force has been the geostrategic realities in East Asia, particularly China’s A2/AD capabilities. Although Japan is making progress, missing capabilities have been brought to the forefront in the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake

Japan’s Defense Industry, Science and Technology in the Northeast Asia Strategic Landscape

Despite its limited presence in the international arms market, great strides have been made in the Japanese defense industry over the last decade, including development of new transport aircraft, a ballistic missile defense system, and a new class of submarines. While these achievements are partly motivated by internal drivers and themselves have driven the capability areas prioritized in the 2010 National Defense Program Guidelines, the main driving force has been the geostrategic realities in East Asia, particularly China’s A2/AD capabilities. Although Japan is making progress, missing capabilities have been brought to the forefront in the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake