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On June 29, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law on the article “’ Arrest’ of Russian Deputy Commander and Local Reports: Possible Involvement in the Wagner Rebellion.” This article discusses the suspicion of the arrest of Vice Commander Surovikin of the Russian military, who was for his alleged cooperation with Prigozhin in the Wagner rebellion. Professor Ichihara commented on how the rebellion exposed the vulnerability of the Putin regime. She also mentioned the possibility of Putin, who needs to demonstrate his strength, expanding the targets of crackdowns in the future. Consequently, Putin could face a further large-scale backlash.

On June 20, 2023, Ms. Hnin Htet Htet Aung, an assistant at GGR, participated as a speaker in the "Webinar on "Myanmar's Humanitarian Challenges in 2023" organized by the Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. The webinar, which attracted 104 participants, shared assessments from experts on the humanitarian challenges and responses faced by Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Moka's devastating impact. Ms. Aung highlighted the roles that ASEAN and stakeholders, including humanitarian actors, can play in the current circumstance. Additionally, she emphasized the lack of necessary data, resources, and access on the ground to provide support effectively.

On June 28, 2023, Asahi Shimbun posted a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University, on the article "The Decline of 'Virtue' in Globalization: Rebuilding Democracy". The article explains how Professor Izuru Makihara at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, views the social and political divisions in a globalized world. Professor Ichihara commented on the importance of focusing on individuals yearning for freedom as a universal value protected by democracy. She also mentioned the advantage of being a citizen of Japan, where the level of division is relatively low within a democratic country.

On June 27, 2023, Asahi Shimbun posted a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University, on the article titled, "How about a Complete Dive into Myanmar Culture? An Annual Event, Eventually Becoming a Source of Solace." This article describes the event "Myanmar Cultural Experience Pack: A Complete Myanmar Experience," which showcases Myanmar culture annually. Professor Ichihara commented that coverage by Japanese media on Myanmar is precious, as the public interest in Myanmar diminished after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On June 26, 2023, Asahi Shimbun posted a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law on the article titled " Mr. Prigozhin said, 'it's alright. Goodbye.'" - Departure Witnessed by a Russian Journalist." This article features the account of a Russian journalist who witnessed the entire course of Prigozhin's rebellion, detailing the events at that time. Also, Professor Ichihara expressed concern that the ordinary citizens who received Wagner warmly might be anxious about potential repercussions from the Russian government.

On June 12, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University. She commented on the article “Four years after the pro-democracy demonstrations, "Hong Kong still fights": 150 people making voices in Shibuya.” This article introduces the progress of a demonstration in Shibuya, Tokyo, calling for freedom in Hong Kong and democratization in China. Professor Ichihara also commented on the demonstration by Hong Kong pro-democracy activists that took place on the 11th, following the protest gathering for the Tiananmen Square incident held on the 4th. She noted the desperate efforts seen in continuing the movement abroad amid the suppression of democratization activities in China. Moreover, she argued that while the number of 150 participants may seem small at first glance, those raising their voices have a strong determination, considering the possibility of endangering the local families' safety. Lastly, she emphasized the importance of continuing even small-scale activities to avoid the misconception that the people of Hong Kong have accepted or succumbed to the repression of freedom.

On June 4, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law. She commented on the article “34 years after the Tiananmen Square incident, a protest gathering held in Tokyo: "We were seeking freedom.”” This article writes about the protest gathering in Tokyo for the Tiananmen Square incident. Student leaders of the movement, including Zhou Fengsuo, reflected on the peaceful activities that sought democracy and freedom at the time. Professor Ichihara briefly explained how governments in Asia support voluntary democratization, which expressed concerns. More specifically, she explained how the discussion does not sufficiently reflect the voices desiring freedom in the Tiananmen Square incident and authoritarian states. She evaluated the fact that a gathering is still being held in Tokyo, even after 34 years has passed, and the voice aspiring for freedom has not disappeared. Lastly, she emphasized that those of us living in democratic countries should stand with and support the people who raise their voices in pursuit of freedom.

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity was held for three days from May 31, 2023, and Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law participated in a panel titled “Human Rights across Asia: Dilemmas and Solutions.” The panel discussed various challenges such as discrimination, violation of human rights, surveillance in Asian countries, and solutions for a more just world. Professor Ichihara highlighted examples of human rights issues in China, Russia, Malaysia, India, and other Asian countries. She explained the case of Malaysia, where the government concentrated power by neutralizing the functionality of the parliament during the COVID-19 crisis, and the enactment of laws to suppress journalists under the guise of combating COVID-19 disinformation. She also emphasized that authoritarian countries are attacking democracy itself to destabilize democratic nations. Lastly, she stated that Asian countries face a wide range of humanitarian crises.

On May 23, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law. She commented on the article “The momentum of democratization and the power of resistance advanced in Ukraine: The President of the National Endowment for Democracy.” This article describes the growth of democracy in Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union and how it has become a force of resistance against Russia's current invasion of Ukraine. Professor Ichihara expressed the view that democracy support is driven by people in the target country who strive for freedom and justice. The support provided by the National Endowment for Democracy is based on requests from Ukrainian civil society organizations, which are seeking to learn about the democratic practices of Western countries. Furthermore, she pointed out that, unlike in Japan where such freedom is protected, the ability to make choices that affect one's own life is not guaranteed as a right in many countries. Finally, she cited the arguments of Nobel laureate in economics, Amartya Sen, to discuss how freedom of choices have a positive impact on both the economy and well-being.

On May 20, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University. She commented on the article “President Zelensky arrives in Hiroshima, set to participate in face-to-face discussions at the G7 Summit tomorrow.” This article describes the arrival of President Zelensky of Ukraine in Hiroshima on the 20th in preparation for discussions on the situation in Ukraine scheduled for May 21. Professor Ichihara evaluated the current G7 Summit as a strategically assembled event tailored to the age of social media, emphasizing the creation of numerous visual images and narratives. Additionally, she argued that President Zelensky's participation in the G7 Summit, within the framework of a brave leader supported by the G7, had the effect of reinforcing the strength of the Ukrainian forces. Furthermore, considering the intense polarization in today's world, she expressed the idea of having President Zelensky in face-to-face discussions at the G7 was driven by the necessity to project resilience instead of focusing on the assistance of the vulnerable, which might be harder to resonate with.