Events/News

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.

On March 9, 2025, an article titled “ Japan Could Have Expressed Its Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament — Professor Nobumasa Akiyama of Hitotsubashi University” featuring an interview with Professor Nobumasa Akiyama（Graduate School of Law） was published in the Asahi Shimbun. The article explores topics regarding nuclear deterrence and disarmament in the context of recent international affairs. One example is how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made the risk of nuclear weapons use more tangible, prompting discussions of nuclear disarmament within the framework of national security.　Professor Akiyama commented on the Japanese government's decision to abstain from participating in the third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. He stated that even without officially attending the conference, Japan could have expressed its stance through efforts beyond the treaty's framework, such as environmental and human impact compensation, and initiatives to improve the security environment to promote nuclear disarmament. He emphasized the importance of steadily implementing what is currently feasible.

On February 5, 2025, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on the Asahi shimbun article, “Trump’s Unorthodox Strategy: Ambition for Historic Achievement Leaves Palestinians Behind.” was published. The article discusses a reported statement by President Trump suggesting that residents be removed from the Gaza Strip, which would then be owned by the United States and redeveloped as a resort area. Professor Ichihara warned that such a proposal constitutes a grave violation of Palestinian sovereignty and could provoke strong backlash from Hamas. She further cautioned that the remark is dangerously reckless, with the potential to destabilize not only the Middle East but also the United States itself.

On February 4, 2025, a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) on Asahi Shimbun article, “Calls to Shut Down U.S. Agency for International Development Intensify—Criticism Mounts from Musk and Trump” was published. The article reports that the Trump administration has ramped up its criticism of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which oversees a substantial portion of the country’s foreign aid. The administration has issued statements suggesting organizational restructuring, along with orders for staff to remain at home, creating considerable internal disruption. Professor Ichihara expressed concern that the proposed budget cuts to USAID are too small to meaningfully sustain ongoing tax reductions, while the repercussions of halting humanitarian assistance could be significantly detrimental to global order. Amid ongoing economic hardship, she warned that such a move may further destabilize political conditions in various countries.

On January 26, 2025, Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate School of Law） offered a comment in response to the Asahi Shimbun column “Tensei Jingo,” which had featured an article titled “A Fun Japan and Tourism.” The article draws a comparison between Italy, which is currently grappling with overtourism amid its once-in-25-years Holy Year, and Japan, where the government continues to pursue an increase in foreign visitors. This approach, the article suggests, warrants reconsideration. Professor Ichihara addresses the use of the phrase “A Fun Japan,” which appeared in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s policy speech. She argues that the core message is not about attracting foreign tourists, as it is shown in the article, but rather about cultivating a nation in which everyone living in Japan respects one another and leads an optimistic, forward-looking life. She describes “A Fun Japan” as an inclusive and appealing slogan that resists nationalist tendencies.

On January 7, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article, “Japan Post Refunds Part of Penalty Fees Following Guidance from Antitrust Authorities: ‘Lacked Sufficient Explanation.’” by Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate School of Law）was published. The article explains that Japan Post had been collecting “penalty fees” from subcontractors in cases such as complaints regarding the delivery of its parcel service, Yu-Pack. In 2024, the Japan Fair Trade Commission determined that this practice was illegal, prompting Japan Post to refund a portion of the fees to the subcontractors. Professor Ichihara pointed out that one reason cited for imposing penalty fees was complaints about the smell of tobacco. She argued that penalizing subcontractors based on odor complaints could be excessive from a human rights perspective. She emphasized the need for a more flexible approach—one that distinguishes between acknowledging customer complaints and imposing disproportionate warnings or sanctions.

On January 14, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “Sunglass-Wearing Train Operators Expanding Nationwide—JR East to Fully Implement Policy from February.” by Professor Maiko Ichihara（Graduate School of Law）was published. The article reports that JR East will begin officially allowing train operators to wear sunglasses starting in February, aiming to enhance safety by reducing glare. Professor Ichihara criticized the previous ban on sunglasses as an unnecessary restriction on individual freedom. She also noted that the very act of considering passenger complaints when granting permission reflects excessive self-monitoring and suggested that such practices require fundamental change.

On January 7, 2025, a comment on the Asahi Shimbun article “The Decline of Democracy, Trump 2.0, and Social Media in Politics: A Roundtable with Editorial Board Members” by Professor Maiko Ichihara (Graduate School of Law) was published. The article is a summary of roundtable discussion among Asahi Shimbun editorial board members, focusing on recent global developments concerning the state of democracy and the rise of populism in connection with social media platforms. Professor Ichihara offered remarks on three key points: 1) the necessity for actors outside the United States—including Japan—to proactively uphold the international order; 2) the importance of consensus-building through political compromise; and 3) the necessity to pay greater attention to democratic movements emerging in non-Western regions through voting results.