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The authors argue that with the election of the Abe Government in December 2012, Japanese politics has entered a radically new phase they describe as the “2012 Political System.” The system began with the return to power of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), after three years in opposition, but in a much stronger electoral position than previous LDP-based administrations in earlier decades. Moreover, with the decline of previously endemic intra-party factionalism, the LDP has united around an essentially nationalist agenda never absent from the party’s ranks, but in the past was generally blocked, or modified, by factions of more liberal persuasion. Opposition weakness following the severe defeat of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration in 2012 has also enabled the Abe Government to establish a political stability largely lacking since the 1990s. The first four chapters deal with Japanese political development since 1945 and factors leading to the emergence of Abe Shinzō as Prime Minister in 2012. Chapter 5 examines the Abe Government’s flagship economic policy, dubbed “Abenomics.” The authors then analyse four highly controversial objectives promoted by the Abe Government: revision of the 1947 ‘Peace Constitution’; the introduction of a Secrecy Law; historical revision, national identity and issues of war apology; and revised constitutional interpretation permitting collective defence. In the final three chapters they turn to foreign policy, first examining relations with China, Russia and the two Koreas, second Japan and the wider world, including public diplomacy, economic relations and overseas development aid, and finally, the vexed question of how far Japanese policies are as reactive to foreign pressure. In the Conclusion, the authors ask how far right wing trends in Japan exhibit common causality with shifts to the right in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. They argue that although in Japan immigration has been a relatively minor factor, economic stagnation, demographic decline, a sense of regional insecurity in the face of challenges from China and North Korea, and widening gaps in life chances, bear comparison with trends elsewhere. Nevertheless, they maintain that “[a] more sane regional future may be possible in East Asia.”

This is the first book to examine in-depth Japan's relations with Africa. Japan's dependence on raw materials from South Africa made it impossible for Tokyo in the 1970s and 1980s to support other African states in their fight against the minority government and its policy of apartheid. Kweku Ampiah's detailed analysis of Japan's political, economic and diplomatic relations with sub-Saharan Africa from 1974 to the early 1990s makes it clear that Japan was lukewarm in the struggle against apartheid. Case studies of Tanzania and Nigeria dissect Japan's trade, aid and investment policies in sub-Saharan Africa more widely.

Now fifty years on, with significantly more primary references available,Kweku Ampiah's study provides a much-needed in-depth re-evaluation of the conference as a whole, focusing in particular on the external influences and preoccupations impacting on the participants seen through three case studies involving the US, UK and Japan.

Background and Aim Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS infection, with kidney dysfunction progressing to end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). We tested the diagnostic performance of creatinine, cystatin c, and the combined (creatinine + cystatin c)‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in assessing kidney dysfunction in HIV/AIDS patients on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Saltpond District Hospital, Ghana. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 100 HIV/AIDS patients on ART at the Saltpond District Hospital was conducted. Anthropometric data (height, waist circumference, and weight), blood pressure, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were obtained from all enrolled participants through questionnaires. Venous blood was collected for creatinine and cystatin estimation. Urine was also collected and a spot test for micro‐albuminuria was performed. Results Our study revealed a mean serum creatinine level of 82.60 ± 21.69 with serum creatinine within the normal range for both female and male participants. The eGFR‐Scr seems to have a better eGFR/CKD classification performance than the eGFR‐Scys‐c and eGFR combined (Scr + Scys). At similar cut‐off values, eGFR‐Scr + Scys showed the greatest diagnostic performance in HIV/AIDS patients, with the largest AUC (AUC = 0.91) in the ROC plot with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 11%. Conclusions The combined (Scr + Scys) based eGFR equation has the best diagnostic performance in predicting kidney insufficiency/CKD in HIV/AIDS patients on ART. Serum cystatin c‐based estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR‐Scr) equation is better for assessing kidney function for patients with eGFR< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and eGFR‐Scr based equations are better in eGFR/CKD classification and staging.

Worldwide, many nations prioritise on their Gross Domestic Product growth over all other objectives in their economy. Engrossed in the economic growth and performance, leaders fail to focus on other equally important issues, such as the wellbeing, healthcare and life expectancies of individuals. Commitment to environmental sustainability to accomplishing these outcomes is hence very relevant. The common idea is transforming the way we create the built environment so that it contributes to the well-being, nourishment and regeneration of the world and all its communities (Du Plessis & Hes, 2014). Although income has a huge impact on the happiness of individuals, other influences, such as individual, geographical and social drivers are equally important to happiness; and these issues should be focused on (Brereton, Clinch & Ferreira, 2008).It is unclear whether countries with the highest incomes always have the happiest people, or whether people who are relatively high earners in poorer countries might also have high levels of happiness (Deaton, 2008). It seems that leaders worldwide focus on citizens having the ability to live happy, healthy, good lives taking into consideration the environmental cost of how the economy is run.Happy cities are generally characterized by certain elements: the income and wages received by individuals, the employment levels, housing costs and affordability, commuting time, access to open natural spaces, the population density and even the types of properties established in cities (Florida, Mellander & Rentfrow, 2013).Shopping centres in South Africa are a very lucrative property category in present times for the economy; considering the revenue these shopping centres generate each year. In both urban and non-metropolitan areas, there are many shopping centres that have been established that continue to attract the attention of consumers. Shopping centres are a big part of city life; and it is therefore imperative that consideration is given on how the development of shopping centres impacts happy cities, specifically taking into consideration how individuals’ emotions are affected by the different areas within and around the shopping centres (Burger, 2014).The aim of this study is to investigate firstly those elements that contribute to happy cities; and to ascertain whether these elements are reflected in their shopping centres. Also, how shopping centre spaces affect the happiness or emotions of individuals that visit them; taking into consideration the various areas in and around the shopping centres that cause them to feel certain emotions.The importance of this research is ultimately to assist in future how these spaces in the shopping centres may be adjusted to make visitors feel happier in those targeted spaces; and also, to add to the knowledge base in the study of happy cities in totality.1.3 Background/ Literature ReviewShopping centre development in South Africa has become a dominant phenomenon because of the ever-growing needs of individuals in the country to regularly visit these shopping centres for various reasons. This has become a social norm in the modernday society – even in the townships, hence establishing the relevance of the retail industry and the numerous benefits attached thereto. This comes with retail owners having to constantly refurbish their already existing assets to stay relevant to the target market and also with the other competing retail properties.Burger (2014) explains various reasons why individuals are drawn to shopping centres; some include simply to shop – whether this be convenience shopping, or bulk shopping – the focus is on getting groceries, clothing and the required needs of shoppers. This may be utilitarian shopping (shopping out of necessity), or hedonic shopping (out of personal pleasure). Also, it could be simply for socialization and leisure activities most often targeted at younger individuals.

From the early 1960s to the late 1980s, relations between Japan and sub-Saharan Africa were very low-key.This, Japanese policy-makers proclaimed, was because Japan had no history of colonial involvement in Africa, and the lack of historical guilt exempted their country from participating in Africa's economic development. Since the early 1990s, however, Japan has been reassessing its relations with the countries in the region and now seems to have decided on a more pro-active approach to African affairs organized through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).