DAR Event: “Supporting the Evacuation of Asian Democracy Activists Overseas” [in Japanese]

On December 15, 2024, a press conference was held to announce the launch of the Democracy Advocates at Risk (DAR) program, and the initiative was featured in several newspaper articles, including those in Nikkei, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun. Having the secretariat at the Institute for Global Governance Research (GGR) at Hitotsubashi University, the DAR program provides support for pro-democracy activists facing repression in various countries and regions in Asia. Professor Maiko Ichihara of GGR stated, “It is ideal for activists to remain in Asia, as it allows them to continue disseminating information to their home countries more effectively.” She further expressed her aspirations for the program, stating, “We aim to secure cooperation from governments and related organizations, and ultimately develop this initiative into a broader regional framework within Asia.”

Nikkei Shimbun：https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUE09C1S0Z01C24A2000000/
Nikkei Asia: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Education/Japan-university-to-serve-as-support-hub-for-Hong-Kong-Myanmar-activists

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Hong-Kong-security-law/Hong-Kong-lets-40th-anniversary-of-Sino-British-declaration-pass-quietly
Sankei Shimbun：https://www.sankei.com/article/20241215-M75ACWUODBLYZMH7RGR5MKTOJU/
Tokyo Shimbun：https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/374723
Radio Free Asia Cantonese: https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/jp-democracy-12152024054138.html
NOVA.News: https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Japan-University-Launches-Support-Plan-for-Pro-Democracy-Activists-in-Hong-Kong-and-Myanmar/