News

This news release from the Japan Center for International Exchange discusses the recent meeting of the Sunnylands Initiative on Enhancing Democratic Partnership held in Odawara, Japan, over the course of two days in August 2022 and attended by Professor Maiko Ichihara. 30 prominent practitioners and scholars, including the professor, gathered in Odawara to discuss the importance of defending and strengthening democratic governance and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region. Participants addressed the importance of involving the private sector as well as youth and talked about how Japan could exercise leadership. As an outcome of the meeting, the participants wrote out the Odawara Statement which was presented to Japanese Diet members and journalists.

On August 6, 2022, Professor Akiyama participated in a panel discussion on NHK World Japan where it broadcast an episode on the risk of a nuclear war. The panel members discussed the topic of Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons in the Russo-Ukrainian War as well as the prospects of nuclear deterrance and arms control in the East Asian region. Concerning the strengthening of nuclear weapons in the East-Asian region, namely by North Korea and China, the panel discussed the need to strengthen nuclear deterrence, but expressed a negative position on the nuclear option for Japan and South Korea, and discussed the importance of the alliance with the United States. The episode concluded with the debate on “deterrence vs. disarmament” and the professor emphasized the need for more talks between the actors to create a foundation for more arms control negotiations.

Professor Maiko Ichihara took part in the second Sunnylands Initiative Retreat held on August 1 and 2, 2022 which was hosted by the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE). The professor pointed out the importance of creating a support mechanism for democracy within the Asian region, where democracy has faced a serious attack in South/Southeast Asia but is relatively preserved in Northeast Asia. She also commented on Japan’s role in defending democracy, stating that the current administration has stepped u to take measures such as through their acceptance of de-facto refugees from Ukraine. However, she argued that Japan should do more to assist those who are fighting for democracy and human rights in Asia.

Professor Nobumasa Akiyama appeared in an episode of CIGS Diplomacy a­nd Security TV, a TV program produced by the Canon Institute for Global Studies. This episode entitled ”How to deal with Putin’s nuclear threat? How to deal with Putin’s nuclear intimidation?” was released on May 16, 2022. The Professor discussed the prolonged war in Ukraine a­nd the possibility of nuclear use by Russia as well as the end of the war in Ukraine a­nd nuclear weapons. He also highlighted the differences between the war in Ukraine a­nd the Cuban Missile Crisis（1962）a­nd the differences between the U.S.-China a­nd U.S.-Russia relations. He concluded by expressing his thoughts on what the international order will be like in a post-Ukraine war, a­nd the impact that the Ukrainian War has had a­nd will have on the Taiwan issue.

On July 27, 2022, TBS broadcast a special feature on plummeting approval ratings of South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol on their news program Hôudôu 1930, a­nd Associate Professor Kwon Yongseok appeared as a guest speaker. Despite it having been only two a­nd a half months since Yoon took office as the new president of South Korea, his approval rating is on the verge of falling below 30%, which is considered the danger zone. Professor Kwon discussed the reasons behind the instability of the Yoon administration, referring to the narrow margins of the May election as well as Yoon's post-election stance on civilian affairs. He also explained what the term "Republic of Prosecutors" means a­nd what measures need to be taken to deal with it. Professor Kwon stated that this is one of the reasons for Yoon’s low approval ratings along with the developments behind the ousting of the ruling party's young party leader. In terms of the relationship between Japan a­nd South Korea, the conscripted workers problem was discussed, a­nd Professor Kwon expressed his opinion on the future of the two neighboring countries.

Professor Nobumasa Akiyama took part in a webinar produced by the editorial department of Voice magazine and PHP Research Institute, a policy think tank. The producers of this webinar invite authors who have contributed to the “Voice” Spotlight column as guests and discuss various topics to deepen readers’ thoughts on a particular issue. In this webinar, Professor Akiyama talked about how to deal with the strategic environment caused by nuclear threats as seen in the war in Ukraine, and he also indicated the future prospects for arms control and disarmament.

On August 17, 2022, the Asahi Shimbun evening edition published a report on the GGR webinar "Next Generation Leaders and Democracy: Youth Seeking Freedom from the Rim of Power" held on July 28, 2022. The article, titled “When we connect, we change the world,” is a summary of the webinar by a reporter who watched the webinar and introduces the thoughts of three panelists, who have been active in Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Okinawa, regarding political participation and the significance of connecting people against power.

On July 26, 2022, Professor Maiko Ichihara appeared on the Diplomacy & Security TV produced by the Canon Institute for Global Studies. The professor explained the definition of democracy in addition to the retreat of democratic states in recent years and warned the expansion of a distorted discourse on democracy that does not encompass civil and political rights. She noted that China and Russia have been exerting to discourse construction and information warfare behind this expansion. In addition, Professor Ichihara explained the process by which Japan's democracy diplomacy has developed and discussed possible future prospects.

Professor Nobumasa Akiyama appeared in an episode of CIGS Diplomacy and Security TV, a TV program produced by the Canon Institute for Global Studies. This episode entitled Is a Nuclear-Free World an illusion? How to inherit Hiroshima-Nagasaki? was released on May 16, 2022. Professor Akiyama discussed the truth about a world without nuclear weapons, the role of nuclear weapons for Russia, and whether a nuclear balance between the U.S., China, a­nd Russia can be achieved. He also expressed his opinions on how to deal with Putin's nuclear threats, a­nd the challenges that the U.S. faces in nuclear deterrence.

Professor Nobumasa Akiyama took part in a podcast hosted by Jiro Shimbo which aired on May 5. In this podcast, Jiro Shimbo zooms in from his unique perspective on the day's news covering a variety of topics such as politics, society, entertainment, etc, and explains how the news should be viewed. Professor Akiyama appeared as a guest and discussed the current situation in Ukraine, its future prospects, and what role the United Nations and the international community can play in this situation.