Events/News

On May 19, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “‘I’ve Never Bought Rice': Minister’s Words Stir Public Anger.” by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) was published. The article reported on widespread anger and backlash from farmers and consumers following remarks made by then-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Taku Eto on May 18, in which he stated, “I’ve never bought rice.” Professor Ichihara highlighted the difficulties faced by volunteer organizations such as children’s cafeterias and homeless support groups in distributing rice due to soaring prices. She suggested that, in addition to stepping down from his post, Mr. Eto should consider donating rice to these organizations.

On June 16, 2025,　Professor Nobumasa Akiyama (Graduate School of Law) was interviewed for an NHK article titled “Israel Launches Renewed Strikes — Possible Contamination Inside Iranian Nuclear Facilities.” This interview was conducted in response to the cancellation of the sixth round of high-level talks between the United States and Iran concerning Iran’s nuclear development program. Professor Akiyama noted that, given the current situation in which Iran is under attack by Israel, it is unlikely that Iran would agree to negotiations under the U.S. condition of a complete abandonment of its nuclear development program. He pointed out that Iran faces a dilemma in which both proceeding with and withdrawing from negotiations present serious challenges. While the incentive for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons has grown, he added, the country also has strong reasons to avoid international isolation.

On May 12, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article titled “So Afraid of Phone Calls They Want to Quit: The Anxiety and Sense of Responsibility Felt by the SNS Generation.” by Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate school of law）was published. The article explores the reasons why members of the SNS generation feel pressure and discomfort when handling phone calls, drawing on interviews with affected individuals and experts. Professor Ichihara acknowledged that everyone has areas they struggle with, and emphasized the importance of creating workplace environments where young people can adapt to social life without undue stress. She suggested, for example, that phone-related tasks should be distributed thoughtfully to avoid placing the burden on a single individual.

On May 9, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “Denmark Summons Acting U.S. Ambassador Following Reports of Intelligence Expansion in Greenland” by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate school of law) was published. The article reports that, following revelations that the Trump administration had ordered increased intelligence operations in Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Acting U.S. Ambassador Godfrey to request an explanation. Professor Ichihara stated that if the Trump administration is conducting intelligence activities related to Greenland’s independence movement with the intention of using that information to incite the movement through influence operations, such actions would be entirely in line with the tactics employed by Russia and China—and therefore cannot be overlooked.

On June 13, 2025, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama (Graduate School of Law) was interviewed for an NHK article titled “Israel Launches Renewed Strikes — Possible Contamination Inside Iranian Nuclear Facilities.” The article reports that, on the same day, the Israeli military announced it had carried out strikes on over 100 targets across Iran, including nuclear-related facilities. It covers the extent of the damage, international reactions, and potential economic impacts. Professor Akiyama suggested that the attack may have been aimed at broadly dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. He further noted that Iran might interpret the strikes as an assault on the nation as a whole, potentially reinforcing its perceived need for nuclear weapons. He expressed concern over the possibility of further escalation in the use of force.

On May 8, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article titled “‘The LDP Should Explain to Citizens’ Constitutional Democratic Party Hold Emergency Meeting over Himeyuri Remarks,” by Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate school of law）was published. The article reports on a controversy surrounding remarks made by LDP Upper House member Shoji Nishida, who referred to the exhibits at the “Himeyuri no Tō” memorial—dedicated to students who perished in the Battle of Okinawa—as “a rewriting of history.” The article highlights calls for Nishida to retract his statement and issue an apology. Professor Ichihara pointed out that Nishida’s remarks constitute misinformation that fosters division between Okinawa and the rest of Japan, and warned that such comments could be exploited by actors seeking to undermine democratic society. She urged Nishida to revisit the Himeyuri memorial and museum to correct his misunderstanding, and called on the LDP to encourage him to do so.

On April 29, 2025, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on Asahi Shimbun article, “From Fringe to Spotlight: Tamaki’s Party Faces Test of Credibility Amid Growing Support” was published. The article explores the growing support for the Democratic Party For the People (DPFP/DPP), particularly among younger voters, and discusses the factors behind this rise as well as the challenges ahead. Professor Ichihara notes that while the DPP originally held liberal positions on domestic issues, it has gained traction by focusing on concrete, everyday concerns that resonate with the public. She analyzes that as the party’s support base expands to include more conservative voters, it is increasingly facing difficulties in maintaining its liberal stance.

On May 3, 2025, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama (Graduate School of Law) was featured in Nikkei Shimbun in an interview titled “Rethinking Japan’s Constitution: Expert Views from Media Law and International Relations.” Published to mark the 78th anniversary of Japan’s postwar constitution, the article explores emerging challenges and features expert insights. Professor Akiyama discusses Article 9, which renounces the right of belligerency and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces. He emphasizes its symbolic importance in expressing Japan’s ideals on the global stage, while also pointing out its limitations in addressing today’s evolving security environment and technological developments. While recognizing the difficulty of separating constitutional debate from ideology, he calls for open discussion on revision and reinterpretation, stressing the need for agile policymaking in a rapidly changing world.

On April 26, 2025, Professor Maiko Ichihara （Graduate School of Law）participated as a panelist in the conference “Rethinking Responsible Action ;Perspectives from Europe and Japan,” organized by the NIRA Institute for Research on Innovation and Sustainability. The conference featured nine speakers who each examined the conditions and challenges of responsible action from distinct perspectives. Professor Ichihara delivered a lecture titled “The three distinct dimensions of democracy; Values, Institutions, and Ideology” and argued responsible civil society through the lens of democracy. She argued that understanding democracy requires a multifaceted approach encompassing three dimensions: values, institutions, and ideology. By analyzing these three aspects in an integrated manner, she suggested, we can gain insight into the current state and challenges of democracy in various countries, as well as into pathways toward constructing a responsible civil society.

On April 23, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “Proposal to Expand Imports of U.S. Rice Emerges Amid Japan-U.S. Tariff Talks—Concerns Already Raised Inside and Outside Government” by Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate School of Law）was published. The article reports that, in the context of ongoing Japan-U.S. negotiations over tariff measures, a proposal to expand imports of U.S.-grown rice has surfaced within the Japanese government. Professor Ichihara noted that President Trump frequently employs impulsive and unreasonable rhetoric and policies to gain leverage in negotiations. She emphasized that Japan should not respond to such unjust demands from the U.S. side with concessions.