Publications
Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency [In Japanese]
AbstractDemocracies are being attacked by authoritarian countries through influence operations, and ideological polarizations are emerging at home. This book on democracy comprehensively captures such attacks from outside and self-destruction from inside. Dr. Larry Diamond or 'Mr. Democracy,' who was the first to point out the recent decline of democracy, offers a warning and a prescription for democratic renewal.
Bolstering Japan’s Foreign Policy Image: Inside Kishida’s Human Rights Diplomacy
AbstractThis articles examines background forces and challenges in Kishida administration's human rights diplomacy.
The Stratified International Order and Japan [in Japanese]
AbstractAs the US and China hold different views of order, and as confrontation becomes more structured, the diplomatic arena over human rights, democracy, economic security and other issues is expanding. Japan must boldly enter and act in this new arena of debate.
Commitment to Democracy must Remain Independent of Geopolitics
AbstractThe author first discusses anti-democratic measures taken by nations in the context of preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in their territory, but also to get a tighter grip over their population, even limiting freedom of speech.
Japan should be a guardian of freedom and democracy in Asia: The direction of our foreign and security policy [in Japanese]
AbstractFor the sake of its own security, Japan must become a guardian of liberal democratic values.
Global Views of Biden’s Democracy Summit
AbstractIn the Japan section, the author states that the Democracy Summit is coherent with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision that the administration has been pushing for. Nevertheless, the invitation is sensitive as Tokyo had been advocating for a more inclusive approach, because it aims at consolidating cooperation in the region. The author recommends that the initiative should be followed up by regional meetings in which Japan can reach other nations, even if they weren’t invited.
Japan should use it’s power to revitalize democracy [in Japanese]
AbstractGiven the difficulty of the Myanmar problem, responses should not only be a short-term humanitarian measure but also a long-term democratization strategy, also considering how to mobilize the national army.
Policy Paper: From Democracy Summit to Global Democratic Agenda?
AbstractThis policy brief focuses on how a meaningful participation of Asian, African, and Latin American democracies can best be encouraged and ensured for democratic cooperation, and considering the context of both support for and criticism of these kinds of initiatives.
Japan’s COVID-19 Responses: Issues of Weak Science-Based Governance
AbstractThe author analyzes the reasons for Japan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic not being as remarkable as the experiences in other Asian democracies, despite its rather stable democracy and contained populism. Trust in information, scientific-based decision-making, overall transparency and policy over the Tokyo Olympics are among the issues covered by the author. On the other hand, citizens’ behavior and the government’s respect for the Rule of Law are remarked as positive.
To Influence Japan, China Tries Subtlety
AbstractThe article touches upon China’s media strategy abroad, by first characterizing the way China attempts to localize its propaganda campaigns abroad, with limited success. It then proceeds to analyze Japan’s relation with Chinese propaganda, stating that this issue has only recently been addressed, and gives examples of how the CCP influences media space in Japan, for example with financial media.