Note: On the two‐machine no‐idle flowshop problem

In this short note we study a two‐machine flowshop scheduling problem with the additional no‐idle feasibility constraint and the total completion time criterion function. We show that one of the few papers which deal with this special problem contains incorrect claims and suggest a way how these claims can be rectified. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 47:353–358, 2000     

The Deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Iraq and Public Trust Among Different Ideological Groups

This paper investigates how public trust in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) changed after 2004 when it was sent to Iraq in support of the USA. Because Japan’s Constitution clearly prohibits the use of military forces unless for self-defense purposes, public opinion was divided. I find that liberals’ distrust in the JSDF grew after the deployment in Iraq relative to moderates. Somewhat surprisingly, the trust among conservatives also declined relative to moderates after the deployment in Iraq.