Comment on “‘Press Work Suddenly Becomes a Crime’, Trial Begins for the Founder of Apple Daily in Hong Kong” [in Japanese]
On December 19, 2023, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, “‘Press Work Suddenly Becomes a Crime’, Trial Begins for the Founder of Apple Daily in Hong Kong” was published. The article discusses the trial in a Hong Kong court of Jimmy Lai, the founder of the Apple Daily, a Hong Kong newspaper that was forced to cease publication because of its critical tone toward the Chinese Communist Party, on charges of violating Hong Kong’s National Security Law. Professor Ichihara stated that the trial of Jimmy Lai is a prime example of how all freedoms are being taken away and speech is being suppressed in Hong Kong. She further commented that Japan, which has launched the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept, should issue a statement of condemnation against the wanted Hong Kong activists and continue to exert its influence as an actor to maintain international order, instead of engaging in low-key diplomacy.
