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Democracy and Human Rights Program

Comment for “Hong Kong Students Studying in Japan Arrested by the Hong Kong Police for Posting on the Internet” [in Japanese]

May 23, 2023
On April 20, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and professor of the Graduate School of Law at Hitotsubashi University. The professor commented on the article “Hong Kong Students Studying in Japan Arrested by the Hong Kong Police for Posting on the Internet.” This article reported a Hong Kong student studying in Japan who was arrested on suspicion of violation of Hong Kong National Security Law during a temporary return to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong police explained that she was arrested because of her online postings about Hong Kong independence violating the law. Professor Ichihara explained that with the Chinese government's increasing suppression, there are numerous cases of danger to the safety of those who are engaging in activities in other countries. The professor noted that Japan needs to take flexible approaches, including reviewing measures to support people's freedom in Japanese society. In addition, the professor stressed the necessity to raise issues with the Japanese government about the problem regarding arrests for speech activities in Japan and violations of sovereignty.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

Comment for “Chinese police base operating in NY, two arrested, “also in Europe and Japan”, says NGO” [in Japanese]

May 23, 2023
On April 18, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Dr. Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and professor of the Graduate School of Law at Hitotsubashi University. The professor commented on the article “Chinese police base operating in NY, two arrested, and "also in Europe and Japan", says NGO.” This article concerns the arrest of Chinese Americans at an alleged "overseas police stations " established in the U.S. by the Chinese government to monitor Chinese human rights activists. Professor Ichihara commented that criticism of CCP’s political repressive actions within China by democratic states is "naming and shaming," which does not constitute a violation of sovereignty, while surveillance by the Chinese government outside of China is a use of force that exceeds the scope of sovereignty and is a serious problem that starkly differs from "naming and shaming."
Democracy and Human Rights Program

University Finis Terrae lecture- “Xi Jinping: China’s new Emperor?” [in Spanish]

May 22, 2023
On March 15, 2023, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, GGR assistant and Chilean international analyst, gave a lecture at the University Finis Terrae on the recent re-election of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the its effects on the East Asian region as well as the democratic world. Over 260 students and affiliates of the University Finis Terrae attended the lecture and actively engaged with Ms. Hannig Nuñez’s regarding her explanation about China’s recent state affairs.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

Sunnylands Initiative on Enhancing Democratic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific

May 19, 2023
From April 2nd to 4th, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara, GGR Researcher and Professor at the Graduate School of Law and the School of International and Public Policy, took part in “The Third Sunnylands Initiative on Enhancing Democratic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific” held in Sydney, Australia. Professor Ichihara and approximately 25 leading scholars and practitioners gathered in Sydney to discuss threats to democracy in the Indo-Pacific region, new opportunities for democracy, and actions required to advance democratic norms and governance. The joint statement issued as an outcome of the conference stated that further action is needed for the sake of regional stability, economic prosperity, and the development of democracy in the Indo-Pacific region. The statement also urged a reaffirmation of the commitment to democracy by governments in the region to achieve the outlined objectives.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

Comments for “Chinese Activist Sentenced to Prison for Overthrowing the Regime: His Resolve and Dreams He Was Not Allowed to Speak Out” [In Japanese]

May 17, 2023
On April 10, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Dr. Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and professor of the Graduate School of Law at Hitotsubashi University. The professor commented on the article "Chinese Activists Sentenced to Prison for Overthrowing the Regime: Their Resolve and Dreams They Were Not Allowed to Speak Out.” This article presents the statements of human rights activists Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi, who have each been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for the alleged crime of overthrowing the state regime in China. Professor Ichihara interprets the activities of both as an endeavor to build a more advanced China. Moreover, the professor states that to understand what people desire, it is not enough just to understand governments, but it is crucial to listen to the suppressed voices. Since this article attempts to convey statements to the Japanese public, Professor Ichihara evaluated it as "a contribution to the public formation that the media should be responsible for.
Global Risk and Crisis Management Program

Japan’s approaches to nuclear non-proliferation and deterrence with Akiyama Nobumasa and William Alberque +International Institute for Strategic Studies(IISS) Podcast: Japan Memo.

May 16, 2023
On April 18, 2023, a GGR researcher a­nd the Dean of School of International a­nd Public Policy, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, participated in a podcast titled "Japan's approaches to nuclear non-proliferation a­nd deterrence with Akiyama Nobumasa a­nd William Alberque” in the series of Japan Memo, presented by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The podcast analyzes the dynamics of nuclear issues in Asia a­nd discusses the Kishida administration's response to nuclear security challenges a­nd examines Japan's efforts to reinvigorate the stalled process of nuclear disarmament. Specifically, the professor discusses the circumstances regarding nuclear weapons development around Japan; the credibility of U.S. extended deterrence; the nuclear sharing a­nd proliferation debate; Japan's policy tools a­nd approaches to nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, a­nd arms control; its "grand strategy" for deterrence, nonproliferation, disarmament, a­nd arms control; a­nd the importance of the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2023 to tackle nuclear issues.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

University Finis Terrae lecture – “Japan’s rise as a regional power in Asia” [in Spanish]

May 16, 2023
On March 13, 2023, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, GGR assistant and Chilean international analyst, gave a lecture at the University Finis Terrae about the recent changes to Japan's security strategy in the context of increasing tensions in the Asia Pacific region.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

Public Symposium “Defending Universal Values in the Indo-Pacific” The Role of Japan and the G7 Summit

May 15, 2023
On March 28, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara, GGR Researcher a­nd Professor at the Graduate School of Law a­nd the School of International a­nd Public Policy, took part in the Public Symposium “Defending Universal Values in the Indo-Pacific: The Role of Japan a­nd the G7 Summit”. Professor Ichihara expressed her opinions from the perspective of academia as follows. The professor gave an extensive observation of the situation of democracy a­nd pointed out that the Ukraine War has led to an increase in the nexus of democracy a­nd security. On the other hand, the professor also indicated that the Global South, which does not favor confrontation between states, has taken a step away from democracy. The Sunnylands Initiative, in which the professor is involved, aims to develop a continuous a­nd dynamic network of refugee assistance in Asia, whose operations are currently fragmented among individual countries a­nd people. The professor argued that the multi-stakeholder network that incorporates governments a­nd civil society not only helps individuals seeking freedom but also mitigates the confrontational aspects of democracy. In addition, the professor analyzed that the outbreak of demonstrations seen on a global scale represents the fact that the longing for freedom is a fundamental human desire. The professor also stressed the importance of paying attention to the discourses of civil society a­nd the need to restore liberty from the promotion of illiberal democracy by authoritarian regimes.
Democracy and Human Rights Program

Mundo Plus- “Thursday, March 9” [in Spanish]

April 26, 2023
On March 9, 2023, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, GGR assistant and Chilean international analyst, appeared in Mundo +, a news program that is part of the Chilean news website Meganoticias, to discuss recent political affairs in East Asia. Meganoticias is one of the most popular news channels used by the Chilean people and covers a variety of topics from world news to Chilean entertainment. Using her expertise on the influence that East Asian countries have on the world, Ms. Hannig Nuñez discussed Xi Jinping's reelection for another 5 years as well as the increasing tensions in East Asia with North Korea presenting a more aggressive position.
Global Risk and Crisis Management Program

Yahoo! Japan News: Official commentator Nobumasa Akiyama’s comment on “‘No Stockpile’ of Uranium Enriched Beyond 80%: IAEA Agrees with Iran to Strengthen Monitoring” [in Japanese]

April 24, 2023
 On March 6, 2023, Yahoo! Japan published an official comment by Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, dean of Hitotsubashi University School of International and Public Policy and GGR researcher. Professor Akiyama commented on the article “‘No Stockpile’ of Uranium Enriched Beyond 80%: IAEA Agrees with Iran to Strengthen Monitoring,” written on the previous day of March 5th and released by Jiji Press. The article reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi recently visited Iran and denied reports that uranium particles with an enrichment rate of 83.7% had been detected in a nuclear facility in Fordo, located in central Iran. Professor Akiyama commented that there have been signs that the centrifuge cascades in the Fordo nuclear facility had been rearranged and due to this there still remains room for skepticism regarding Grossi’s statement. He mentioned that since most of the Western countries remain focused on the war in Ukraine, it remains unknown how much spotlight this topic would receive at the next IAEA board meeting. However, the professor stressed the need to consider the fact that uranium with relatively high enrichment levels has been accumulated to a considerable degree in Iran.