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On February 21, 2024, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama of the Graduate School of Law attended a hearing of the House of Councilors Committee titled "21st Century Warfare and Peacebuilding – Building a New International Order," specifically addressing the topic of "Efforts and Challenges Regarding the Start of Negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)." Professor Akiyama discussed the international political environment resulting from the regulation of fissile material production for nuclear weapons and what Japan should do in response. He first discussed how and where the acquisition of fissile material for nuclear weapons should be regulated and the significance of such regulation. Furthermore, he explained the issues in the FMCT negotiations regarding the scope of regulation, the definition of terms, and the nature of verification.

On February 13, 2024, an article by Voice of America (VOA) titled "Chinese State Media’s Spanish-language YouTube Channel Has High Output but Low Influence" featured an article written by Ms. Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law. The article mentioned that Ms. Hannig pointed out in her paper that the three major Spanish-language YouTube channels of Chinese state-run media have produced and published many videos over the past few years, many of which contain propaganda. It also introduced that while these videos contribute to the spread of disinformation, their view counts are extremely low, and they have not had any significant influence among Spanish-speaking audiences. Furthermore, she told VOA that despite the low reach, these Chinese state-run media YouTube channels and their propaganda content still warrant caution.

On February 14, 2024, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law participated in "Tackling Global Disinformation," an event organized by Nikkei Asia. The event discussed the threat of disinformation and how the international community can counter it. Professor Ichihara presented three key lessons regarding the spread of disinformation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. First, she emphasized the importance of looking at the broader narrative that disinformation seeks to promote. Second, she cautioned against focusing too narrowly on the disinformation itself. Third, she emphasized the critical need to understand divisions within one's society and work to build trust between different groups. In addition, she discussed the lessons learned from China's spread of disinformation about the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. She pointed out that creating effective counter-narratives can protect our society. Therefore, she emphasized the need for private sector actors in particular to be willing to actively create and promote positive narratives.

On February 9, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, “Cambodia Witnessing Strengthening of 'Family Dominance': Opposition Leader Highlights Suppression of Free Speech” was published. This article is about an interview with Teav Vannol, leader of the Candlelight Party (CP), a leading opposition party in Cambodia, who visited Japan amid the worsening situation of democracy in Cambodia. Professor Ichihara commented that the CP leader's visit to Japan and his explanation of the current situation was a desirable move for Japanese society and that the political system in Cambodia and other countries with symbolic elections should not be called democracy. She also stated that it is necessary to keep a close watch on future developments in Cambodia.

On February 6, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Nine Nations of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Condemn Myanmar Military, Demand End to Violence - Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Others" was published. This article is about the joint statement issued by nine members of the UNSC, including Japan, the U.S., and the U.K., "strongly condemning" the Myanmar military, which has been in power since the coup of February 2021, for its continued violence against civilians. Professor Ichihara welcomed the statement condemning the Myanmar military, but commented that the Japanese government, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in Asia, should take the Myanmar issue more seriously.

On January 27, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Mounting Calls for Military Leadership Change from Pro-Army Faction... Dissatisfaction with Combat in Myanmar" was published. This article discusses the unprecedented situation in Myanmar, where internal dissatisfaction within the army is increasing amidst the nationwide expansion of combat with ethnic minority armed groups, three years after the coup. Professor Ichihara emphasized the necessity of persuading the army to abandon combat and seek peace in a manner that reflects the demands of the democratic National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority groups. She highlighted the importance of strengthening pressure on the army and convincing the top commander, not just by ASEAN alone but also through collaboration with relevant countries.

On January 27, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article “Setting Emotions Aside: A Former Ambassador Who Engaged with China for 40 Years Discusses 'Strategic Thinking'" was published. In this article, former Japanese Ambassador to China Hideo Tarumi, who retired December 2023, talks about the characteristics of China in the Xi Jinping era and how Japan should deal with China. Professor Ichihara stated that when emotions are increasingly influencing diplomacy, we need diplomats and politicians who have the courage not to be influenced by chauvinistic public opinion. She further commented that the general public also needs to strengthen the habit of saying what needs to be said.

On January 26, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Aung San Suu Kyi's Residence Auctioned: Long-standing Detention Site Symbolizing Democracy" was published. This article is about the auction of a house known as the residence where Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was once held under house arrest, and which is also considered a symbolic site of Myanmar's democratization movement. Professor Ichihara noted that authoritarians tend to fear symbols that might have the power to mobilize forces against them, and commented that in this case, they are probably eager to remove the place and building as a symbol of Aung San Suu Kyi from the control of others and reduce the influence of pro-democracy forces.

On January 22, 2024, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama of the Graduate School of Law appeared on TV Tokyo's program titled "Deteriorating Nuclear Disarmament Treaties: China, North Korea, India... World Accelerating Nuclear Arms Race." This program discusses how Japan should deal with the growing threat of nuclear weapons in the international community, with Russian President Putin suggesting the use of tactical nuclear weapons in his ongoing invasion of Ukraine, China strengthening its deployment of nuclear weapons, and North Korea pushing forward with its nuclear development. Professor Akiyama discussed that while the number of nuclear weapons has decreased compared to the peak of the Cold War era, the threshold for nuclear weapon use has lowered since Russia invaded Ukraine, indicating that the risk of nuclear weapons remains high. He also pointed out the deepening division within the international community concerning nuclear weapons.

On December 20, 2023, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article "'Donate Cameras’ Japanese Journalists to Support Those in Myanmar" was published. This article is about Japanese journalists who were detained in military-controlled Myanmar after the coup in 2021, and who launched a project this month to support the activities of Myanmar journalists under oppression. Professor Ichihara stated that she felt it was an injustice that the world's attention was focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas instead of Myanmar, which is also still in conflict. Under such circumstances, she emphasized that the activities of civil society are important, and that the Japanese government should also be proactive in this regard.