Events/News

On September 11, 2024, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on the Asahi shimbun article “Harris Leads Debate Amid Mutual Criticism — Policy Unclear, Support Remains Uncertain” was published. The article reported on the first debate between the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (at the time) and former President Donald Trump (at the time), following Harris’s announcement of her candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. Professor Ichihara noted the contrast between the two candidates, observing that while Trump appeared unprepared and on the defensive, Harris projected composure and approachability—an impression that could influence voters. She also pointed out that the debate conveyed an exaggerated sense of societal confusion caused by rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories, suggesting that this may have led viewers to feel the need for a president who can effectively address such issues.

On April 28, 2025, a side event on the “International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons (IGEP)” was held, with Professor Nobumasa Akiyama（Graduate School of Law）, a member of IGEP, participating in the event. The event introduced IGEP’s recommendations for the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, titled “Stepping Back from the Nuclear Precipice: Urgent Actions in Pursuit of a World Without Nuclear Weapons.” Professor Akiyama served as the moderator for the panel discussion. The discussion addressed the growing risks of nuclear war amid geopolitical tensions and rapid technological advancement. Participants exchanged views on the core principles of the recommendations, including adherence to the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, fostering a culture of international dialogue and cooperation, and rejecting nuclear deterrence as the ultimate form of security. The panel also explored concrete actions that could be taken in preparation for the 2026 Review Conference. Professor Akiyama emphasized that these principles should serve as a starting point and that the recommendations are intended to provide a platform for deeper, interactive discussions toward nuclear disarmament.

On September 7, 2024, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on the Asahi shimbun article, “One Year After Johnny & Associates Admitted Sexual Abuse: A UN Working Group Member Reflects on the Challenges.” was published. The article reports on an interview with Pichamon Yeophantong, a member of the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Business and Human Rights, who was involved in investigating the sexual abuse scandal surrounding the former Johnny & Associates talent agency (now SMILE-UP.). Professor Ichihara pointed out that Japan’s deeply rooted culture of conformity may discourage individuals from voicing dissenting opinions, even when such voices are necessary to protect the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups. She added that if society were to normalize speaking and acting according to one’s own convictions, support for victims of human rights violations could become more widespread.

On April 14, 2025, Hannig Núñez Sasha, a doctoral candidate at the Graduate School of Law, appeared on an episode of the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) podcast, Chile’s Cross-Strait Relations and its Dependence on China (GTI Insights, Season 6, Episode 2). In this episode, he discussed Chile’s dependence on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the mining sector and how this dependence relates to Chile’s position on cross-Strait relations. Hannig Núñez pointed out that Chilean politicians have been taking increasingly pro-Beijing stances on Taiwan. She also noted that while some Chilean organizations, such as CAD, are working to raise awareness of PRC propaganda in Spanish, the Taiwanese government has struggled to establish a strong presence in Chilean society and counter the narratives of the Chinese Communist Party.

On August 27, 2024, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on the Asahi Shimbun article, “Words Reduced to Consumption: Liberals’ Reliance on ‘Justice’ and the Loss of Individuality — Tomoyuki Hoshino.” was published. The article features writer Tomoyuki Hoshino’s reflections on the current state of public discourse, based on his 2013 essay “Japan as a Religious State,” previously published in the Asahi Shimbun. Mr. Hoshino argues that social divisions have deepened, and that language is no longer used as a tool for dialogue but rather consumed within echo chambers of shared values, often weaponized to attack those with differing views. Professor Ichihara commented that instead of tailoring one’s opinions to meet others’ expectations, it may be more constructive to adjust the message to the audience and what one wishes to convey. She suggested that this approach could foster more authentic and meaningful communication.

On July 1, 2024, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on the Asahi Shimbun article, “Should Journalism Appeal to Emotion? The Enduring U.S. Debate and the Case for Narrative” was published. The article explores the practice and significance of narrative journalism—stories structured around episodes and personal experiences—through an interview with Chip Scanlan of the Poynter Institute, a U.S.-based organization dedicated to journalism education and research. Professor Ichihara emphasized that in order for news articles to truly engage readers, it is important to encourage them to develop a sense of personal agency and awareness of the issues at hand. To that end, she suggested that a narrative structure that begins by evoking emotion—by focusing on an individual or a specific aspect of an event—and then expands to a broader perspective may be an effective approach.

On March 23, 2025, Milk Tea Alliance Japan (MTA Japan) released a new video on youtube titled “Maiko Ichihara, Milk Tea Alliance (MTA) Japan” featuring Professor Ichihara Maiko（Graduate school of law）as interviewee.MTA Japan was founded by Professor Ichihara and is composed of Asian activists based in Japan who work to defend freedom and human rights across the region.In this video, Professor Ichihara speaks about the background and vision behind the establishment of MTA Japan. She notes that while Japan is becoming an increasingly important hub for Asian pro-democracy activists, collaboration among activists from different countries remains limited. Motivated by a desire to foster solidarity and to spark change across Asia, starting from Japanese society, she decided to launch MTA Japan.Looking ahead, she emphasized the importance of showing that these activists are ordinary people like us, while also being inspiring and compelling individuals. By highlighting their human side, she hopes to generate empathy, expand support, and encourage wider participation in MTA Japan’s activities.

On March 17, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “The chaos of Trump’s comeback: How the U.S. faces a scientific decline—A view from the editor-in-chief of Science.” by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) was published. The article presents an interview with Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the American scientific journal Science, highlighting the instability of the United States' leadership in the scientific community due to significant cuts in research funding and widespread dismissals of researchers under the Trump administration. Professor Ichihara suggested that the administration’s policies may be driven by goals such as reducing government spending to enable tax cuts, as well as removing liberal voices from academia and replacing them with conservative figures. She further pointed out that such actions are self-destructive for the United States and contradict the administration’s stated aim of enhancing competitiveness against China.

On March 31, 2025, the podcast “Venezuela Is Totally Captured By China” (China Uncensored), featuring Hannig Nuñez Sascha, a doctoral student in the Graduate school of Law, was released. In this episode, the discussion centers on the growing influence of China across economic, military, and technological sectors in Argentina, despite the election of President Javier Milei, who campaigned on an anti-communist and anti-Chinese Communist Party platform. Ms. Hannig highlights several key developments, including Huawei’s deep local penetration, the establishment of a Chinese space observation base in southern Argentina, and infrastructure projects connecting South America as a whole. She argues that even under an anti-China administration, China’s influence is structurally embedded and cannot be easily dismantled.

On February 6, 2025, an article on the Asahi Shimbun titled “Cambodian Pressure on Pro-Democracy Activists in Japan: Cross-Border Repression Raises Alarm Among Scholars,” including an interview and comment with Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate School of Law) was published. The article reports a series of incidents in which the Cambodian government—tightening its political control under the prime minister’s family—has targeted individuals abroad. These include the detention of family members of democracy activists residing in Japan, and the prosecution of opposition leaders who returned to Cambodia from Japan. Professor Ichihara warned that such acts of cross-border repression by foreign governments constitute human rights violations and infringements on national sovereignty and expressed concern over the broader trend of democratic backsliding across Asia. In comments, she further emphasized that Japan, having played a role in Cambodia’s peace process and the formation of its current political framework, should recognize its responsibility and engage with the situation as a stakeholder.