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On August 24, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article “China's Total Embargo 'Unexpected,' Release of Treated Water Becomes a Political Issue, Japan Grows Distrust.” The article explains the situation in which China has used the card of a total embargo on Japanese seafood products in response to the release of treated water from TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, which has been described by Japan as 'unexpected' and 'an extraordinary response,' with no sign of a political solution in sight. Professor Ichihara argued that there were three political aims behind the Chinese government's response to the release of the treated water. First, given that there is critical voice to the discharge of treated water in Japan, the Chinese government sought to provoke discord in Japan. Secondly, the closeness between Japan and South Korea under the Yoon administration is a situation that China is wary of, and China is trying deteriorate Korean sentiment towards Japan by taking measures to provide moral support to those who oppose the discharge of treated water. Finally, they used the anti-Japan nationalism card with an awareness of domestic public opinion in China.

On August 17, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Missing Japan, But Not Feasible Right Now: Reasons Why Sexual Minorities Choose Canada." The article is about the Japanese people who found it difficult to live in Japanese society and moved to Canada, which is considered to be a better place to live for sexual minorities. Professor Ichihara commented that respect for all the people, regardless of their sexual orientation, is the way societies should be, and that Japan must appropriately criticize oppression by other governments and work to eliminate discrimination within its borders to create a society where everyone's dignity is protected.

On August 16, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, “(Editorial) Japan and South Korea - Efforts to Prevent Backsliding." The article describes hope for improved relations between Japan and South Korea in response to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's commitment to strengthening security and economic cooperation with Japan and the importance of taking lessons to prevent backsliding in the relations. Professor Ichihara stressed the importance of President Yoon's strong initiative to improve relations between the two countries in the face of China's growing challenge to the regional order. She also noted that the South Korean society is severely polarized, and commented that Japan needs to take serious steps to solidify the direction of improved relations between the two countries which would be acceptable to the South Korean opposition parties and that the Japanese people as individuals also need to reflect on their nationalism.

On August 13, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Why I Fled to Japan, My 'Second Home', only to Return to My Homeland under the Rule of the Taliban." The article is about a man who fled his home country after a 'political upheaval' shortly after returning from studying in Japan and took temporary refuge in Japan, but returned to his homeland amid turmoil and shared his feelings about it. Professor Ichihara pointed out that in supporting refugees, it is also necessary to consider how to help them realize their desire to support their home country. She also commented that although conventional Japanese society has the structure which is not easy for refugees to become self-reliant, we should structure the society to make their experience and knowledge accessible to the average poeple to improve the ability to identify and solve problems.

On 4 August 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, " Statement of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on ‘Effective Relief for Victims’ regarding the Sexual Assault of Johnny ." This article is about the UN Human Rights Council's press conference at the Japan Press Club on the issue of sexual assault by the late Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Johnny ＆ Associates. Professor Ichihara commented that the following two points show some some hope. One is the fact that the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, on which the Japanese government has been focusing its efforts in recent years, conducted the investigation. The other is the fact that the two commissioners on this case are from Nigeria and Thailand, enabling them to express their concerns without being seen as the West pushing its will on human rights issues to Japan.

On July 31, 2023, comments of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Posing in Front of the Eiffel Tower: LDP Women's Bureau's Training in France, Draws Wave of Criticism,” was published. This article discusses a controversial photo allegedly taken by the LDP Women's Bureau during a training visit to France, which has been criticized on social networking sites. Professor Ichihara explained that in the age of SNS, people, including politicians, aim to attract public attention by attaching photos in addition to text information, and commented that in the arena of social media, where emotional content can easily spread, such behavior could be perceived as a mere display of self-promotion, and could easily invite criticism. She added that this kind of behavior wasnot limited to politicians.

On August 4, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, "Barbie and the Mushroom Cloud.” The article is about an incident where a fan of the film "Barbie" posted an image of the main character's hairstyle on a social networking site that resembled the mushroom cloud created when the atomic bomb was dropped, which drew criticism from Japan and highlighted the difference of perceptions between Japan and the United States regarding the use of the atomic bomb on Japan. Professor Ichihara pointed out the issue that this article only mentioned Japan's aggression against Asia as its offensive act and did not mention its attack against the US.

On June 29, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law on the article "Security Expert Silencing Dialogue with Citizens: Reconsidering War and Peace." This article discusses an interview with Associate Professor Seiko Mimaki from Doshisha University. The interview focuses on the necessity of dialogue between security experts and citizens, security situations, and the current state of Japan. Professor Ichihara Professor Ichihara points out that the article and the controversy based on it sheds light on the fact that the relationship between policy, academia, and public opinion has changed in the age of social networking, and argues that there should be a full-fledged discussion about how academics should be involved in deliberations in the SNS age.

On July 2, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law on the article "Unveiling the Truth of Hong Kong: Former Journalists of Apple Daily Take on the Barriers." This article focuses on Ms. Leung Ka-lai, a Hong Kong female journalist who is courageously striving to deliver the truth despite the increasing pressure on the media following the enactment of the National Security Law. Professor Ichihara explained that the media regulations in Hong Kong not only hinder activities within Hong Kong but also affect the actions of Hong Kong people abroad. She pointed out that it is crucial for the media overseas to work in solidarity with the local people to disseminate information about the actual situation.

On June 29, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law on the article "Climate Change Mitigation: Potential Negative Impacts if Progressed: Citizens' Deliberation as the Path to Finding Solutions." This article highlights the importance of climate conferences by citizens. Citizens, not just the government, must implement specific measures to address climate change. Also, various issues, such as information inaccuracies and distrust of public opinion, currently undermine democracy. Therefore, Professor Ichihara emphasized the potential of discovering solutions through the experience of the climate citizen conference. She further commented that this initiative represents a ray of hope for democracy.