Research Case StudiesAccelerate Your Global Strategy with CQ Business®

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan)

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: FY2024 Commissioned Project for the Promotion of Export Environment Development (Survey of Major Export Barriers in Export Destination Countries, Data Collection Project (Survey on Maximum Residue Limits of Pesticides, etc.))

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, Codex (Codex Alimentarius Commission), Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the EU, the United Kingdom, Russia, United Arab Emirates, India, Philippines

Overview: On each monthly reference date, international standards and pesticide residue standards of the target countries were checked and updated. Deliverables included: updates compared to the previous month, guidelines on how to read each country’s residue standards table and FAQs, methods of obtaining related laws and regulations, a list of each country’s MRL (maximum residue limit) websites, and product-specific MRL tables. In addition to in-house checks, Professor Endo of the University of Tokyo, serving as advisor, conducted detailed verification. Furthermore, we cooperated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in responding to inquiries from businesses, providing suggested response formats and guidance as needed.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Implementation Status of the Building Standards Act, etc.

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: To confirm the implementation status of the Building Standards Act and related regulations, we created survey forms, request letters, and tabulation sheets. We collected responses from relevant organizations and sent reminders for overdue submissions as needed. Response content was carefully examined, with inquiries made to clarify any doubts and corrections implemented where necessary. The compiled data was summarized and prepared into a final report.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Comprehensive Survey on the Proper System for Accepting Foreign Human Resources in the Building Cleaning Sector

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, Thailand, Mongolia

Overview: We conducted questionnaires and interview surveys with building maintenance and construction companies in Japan. We also held interview surveys with government agencies in Thailand and Mongolia regarding the state of the building maintenance industry and awareness of the Specified Skilled Worker program. A draft was created for guidelines on accepting foreign workers in the building cleaning sector, as well as for the development of a supportive environment and preferential measures. Online seminars were held for companies in Japan and for human resources from Thailand and Mongolia.

National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, Japan)

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on Tax and Labor Issues Related to Overseas Collaboration Centers and Overseas Assignments

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, Thailand, France

Overview: Concerning the Asia Collaboration Center established in Thailand and the Europe Collaboration Center established in France, research and analysis were conducted through desk-based review of publicly available sources, comparing tax treaties and local laws. Survey items included: necessity of corporate registration in the respective countries, whether tax obligations arise, methods of calculating taxes if obligations exist, procedures for tax payment, and exemption application procedures if no tax obligation arises.

Japan Veterinary Pharmaceutical Association (JVPA), Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Import Systems for Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in the Oceania Region

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Australia, New Zealand

Overview: A survey was conducted on the import systems of veterinary pharmaceuticals in Australia and New Zealand. Research covered definitions and classifications of veterinary pharmaceuticals, related laws and regulatory agencies, regulations and future directions concerning import approvals and permits, regulations and trends regarding manufacturing and quality control, and distribution mechanisms. Results were compiled into a report.

Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Japan)

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Procurement of a Comprehensive Survey on Substances with Potential Fire Hazards

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, Worldwide

Overview: As part of a survey on substances with potential fire hazards, chemical substances with possible fire risks were extracted using databases published by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, relevant disaster information centers, the European Commission, and other sources. To investigate the distribution volume of the extracted substances, interviews were conducted with chemical and pharmaceutical companies that manufacture them, and distribution volumes were identified.

Cabinet Office, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: FY2024 Survey on the Construction of an Innovation System by National Research and Development Agencies

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: The survey and analysis were conducted to contribute to the consideration of measures that promote the development of an environment for innovation creation. In addition, through the holding of the National Research and Development Agency Innovation Strategy Council, strategies were examined for promoting innovation within an all-Japan and global R&D framework, and investigations were carried out into the roles and challenges that national research and development agencies should address in building an innovation ecosystem.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Project for Examining DX in the Pharmaceutical Retail Industry

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: For the purpose of a demonstration project on remote pharmaceutical sales, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, operational guidelines compliant with current regulations and a survey form for evaluating demonstrations were created. A review committee was established to discuss and improve the draft guidelines. Interviews were conducted with demonstration project operators and physical retail pharmacies to evaluate the practicality of the survey form. All tasks were compiled into a report and submitted.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Employment Status of Researchers, Faculty Members, etc.

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: To understand and analyze the current status of individuals subject to special employment provisions, a questionnaire survey was conducted with over 800 institutions, including universities and national research and development agencies. A separate survey was also conducted for individuals under the exceptions, resulting in over 6,000 responses. Based on this data, both basic and cross-sectional data tabulation were performed, and the results were compiled into tables and graphs. Analyses of the results were carried out, and key findings were summarized and compiled into a comprehensive report.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Needs for Establishing Regional Logistics Hubs to Address the “2024 Problem”

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: To understand the needs for establishing regional logistics hubs in response to the “2024 Problem,” questionnaires were sent to all 47 prefectural governments and local municipalities in the Chugoku and Kyushu regions, resulting in 195 responses. Surveys were also conducted with 73 shippers and logistics companies. The collected responses were analyzed based on factors such as population size, geographic characteristics, and economic scale, and the findings were compiled into a report with tables and graphs.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Comprehensive Survey on Overseas Public Pension Management and Investment Organizations

Countries Surveyed: Canada, the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, France, Australia, New Zealand

Overview: For the purpose of collecting reference information for deliberations on pension reserve management and investment, surveys were conducted on the organizational structures and investment performance over the most recent three months of public pension management and investment organizations in 10 countries including Canada.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Project for Developing Manuals for Public Procurement of Building Maintenance Services

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: Surveys were conducted with 1,803 government organizations, including national ministries and agencies, prefectures, municipalities, and special wards. Questionnaires and interviews were carried out with 10 building maintenance companies. A model case for the comprehensive evaluation bidding method in public procurement of building maintenance services was created. Deliverables from the previous year (also commissioned to AtGlobal, Ltd.), including the operational manual for sliding clauses, the manual for minimum price systems and low-bid investigations, and the model building maintenance contract—were revised. Materials were prepared to clarify the rationale behind price negotiations and the procedures for contract amendments.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: FY2024 Survey and Analysis on Public Bathhouse Business Succession Policies

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: For the purpose of investigating and analyzing public bathhouse business succession policies, interviews were conducted with the bathhouse association and 17 individual bathhouses. Analyses were conducted in collaboration with certified SME management consultants on possible measures the Tokyo Metropolitan Government could implement to promote succession for bathhouses facing difficulties in securing successors. Interim and final reports were prepared and submitted, including proposals for policy measures.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Commissioned Survey on the Implementation of Hydrogen Energy in Urban Development

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, Germany, the EU

Overview: A survey was conducted on the implementation of hydrogen energy in urban development, targeting five overseas countries, five domestic municipalities, and five domestic companies. Interviews were conducted with the five companies. In addition to the survey, consideration and proposals were made regarding strategic implementation measures for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to implement in the future.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Commissioned Survey on Projects Related to Disabled Sports Centers

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Preliminary research worldwide; field research in Japan, Norway, Germany, and Poland; online interviews in the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, and Italy

Overview: For the purpose of investigating projects related to disabled sports centers, both literature review and on-site investigations were conducted on domestic disabled sports facilities, while desk research and field visits (3 cases) as well as online interviews (7 cases) were conducted on overseas facilities. In addition, a survey of the usage and needs of two sports facilities in Tokyo was conducted with 3,106 Tokyo residents as respondents.

Digital Agency, Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Fixed-Point Survey on Domestic and International Trends in Digital Policy

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, Denmark, Estonia, South Korea, Taiwan, China, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, France, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Brazil, Laos, Colombia, Israel

Overview: Surveys were conducted in selected foreign countries regarding investment opportunities, productivity, and digital human capital, followed by comparisons with Japan. Statistical information and reports related to digital policy were collected and analyzed. Global news related to themes such as AI was comprehensively gathered and summarized into reports, with an analysis of media coverage. Information on digital policies was researched from the websites of governments or international organizations in 36 countries. To accumulate knowledge on international trends, three online study sessions were held with speakers invited from digital-advanced countries.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Commissioned Feasibility Survey on Businesses Utilizing Urban Industrial Facilities

Countries/Regions Surveyed: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Hungary

Overview: For the purpose of investigating the feasibility of businesses utilizing urban industrial facilities, interviews were conducted with a total of 10 domestic innovation support facility operators and user companies. As advanced case studies, 10 domestic and 5 overseas innovation support facilities (the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Hungary) were selected as advanced case studies and interviewed. Based on the information obtained, methods of realizing elements required for innovation support facilities were organized, and multiple patterns of implementation cases were presented.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Commissioned Survey on Digitalization of Overseas and Tokyo-Based Businesses

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Singapore

Overview: A web questionnaire survey was conducted with over 760 companies, including those in Tokyo and major overseas cities (New York, London, Paris, Seoul, Singapore). The survey form was mailed, consisting of about 30 questions designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, with content consistent with FY2023. Comparative analysis was performed between domestic and international results and between fiscal years, and a detailed report was prepared. Results were published as open data and detailed explanations were provided at a briefing session. The survey was conducted in consultation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on Support for University-Originated Startups

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan (reference materials: Japan, the United States)

Overview: To conduct a survey of university-originated startup companies, candidates were selected under the supervision of MEXT, and interview candidates were identified. Ultimately, 16 startup companies were selected, and interviews were conducted with their CEOs or equivalent representatives. Following the interviews, challenges faced by startups and the adequacy of existing measures to address them were examined and analyzed, leading to policy recommendations for future initiatives.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: International Comparative Survey on Labor Standards Inspection Administration

Countries/Regions Surveyed: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, South Korea

Overview: Information desired by MHLW was collected while conducting desk research on the number of labor standards inspectors in six countries. MHLW’s model work regulations were translated into English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Portuguese. In addition, translation was carried out for the ILO proceedings regarding standards on the number of labor inspectors. To ensure proper execution of the work, supervision was delegated to a Licensed Labor and Social Security Attorney.

Ishikawa Human Resources Development and Settlement Promotion Organization

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Overseas Promotion Project of Ishikawa Prefecture’s Appeal

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Overview: For the purpose of overseas promotion of Ishikawa Prefecture’s appeal, two interviews were conducted with Indonesian and Sri Lankan workers employed in Ishikawa Prefecture, and short videos featuring subtitles and on-screen captions in four languages were produced and delivered. Using Zoom, a total of eight one-hour seminars were held in Indonesian and Sinhala. Promotional flyers were created in four languages, and outreach activities were conducted using social media and other channels. In addition, brochures were prepared in Indonesian and Sinhala and distributed to seminar applicants and others.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Commissioned Survey and Analysis on the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau’s International Expansion in FY2024

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Six continents worldwide

Overview: In addition to a comprehensive survey of six continents, overseas cities of interest were extracted regionally using urban and competitiveness rankings published by global research institutions, and their initiatives were investigated. Detailed research was conducted on the initiatives of international conferences and exhibitions held on each continent, and proposals were developed to support future regular international events hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau. Furthermore, comparisons and proposals were made regarding translation functions used in online meetings between the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau and overseas organizations.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Government of Japan

Fiscal Year: 2024

Project Title: Survey on the Actual Status of Domestic Production and Imports of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Countries/Regions Surveyed: Japan

Overview: For the purpose of understanding the actual status of domestic production and imports of personal protective equipment, requests for information were made to industry groups, a list of 1,264 target companies and their contact information was compiled, online briefing sessions were announced and held regarding the survey content, survey forms were distributed, responses collected, reminders issued, and inquiries clarified. Survey results were compiled and analyzed.