Other Publications
Is It Useless to Refer to History? In the Era of Social Networking Information Overload, the Past Is Turning into a Database [in Japanese]
AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara, GGR Researcher and a faculty member of the Graduate School of Law, participated in the Asahi World Forum 2022, which launched online on October 16, 2022. Based on interviews with French and German experts on the post-COVID period, Professor Ichihara discussed democracy and its future with other participants. Taking the Russian claim of annexation of the four Ukrainian provinces as an example, she further argued that in many regions there has been a trend of repressing freedom through the use of the legitimacy of elections. Moreover, she pointed out that it is important to learn from the past in order to understand the complexities of the modern world. Finally, Professor Ichihara stated that as new values emerge in the modern world, it is important for Japan to proactively promote democracy rather than to rely on allies such as the United States to do so.
El funeral de Shinzo Abe divide a Japón (Shinzo Abe’s funeral divides Japan) [in Spanish]
AbstractOn September 27, 2022, the Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS published an article on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral in which GGR researcher and Professor Hitomi Takemura’s (Graduate School of Law／School of International and Public Policy) comments were introduced as well. The article describes some major events and accomplishments of Abe’s regime and draws the connection between those and the reasons why so many people rallied to protest against the funeral. It is reported that some legal experts questioned the legitimacy of the state funeral, as did the opponents of the state funeral having denounced the tribute to the politician who tried to revise the pacifist constitution.. The article further discusses the story behind the accused, Tetsuya Yamagami, as well as his ties to the Unification Church, and the possible punishments he could face. In this context, Professor Takemura provides insight into the differences between the punishments that the perpetrator could face depending on his psychiatric assessment.
Japan’s Dilemma: Relying on Nuclear Deterrence while Advocating Nuclear Abolition [in Japanese]
AbstractWith the use of nuclear weapons by Russia becoming increasingly realistic, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama explained the use of nuclear weapons from a legal perspective and suggested what kinds of actions Japan should take toward nuclear disarmament and abolition. Regarding Russia's words and actions over nuclear weapons in the Russo-Ukrainian War, Professor Akiyama noted that while the use of nuclear weapons itself is not legally prohibited, Russia's actions have reinforced both the calls for nuclear deterrence and nuclear abolition. He also argued that it is important for Japan, which will host the G7 summit next May, to provide a forum for discussing nuclear weapons in order to build a world that does not depend on nuclear weapons. Moreover, the professor said that Japan should make accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons its ultimate goal, however, it is necessary to work carefully and steadily to establish Northeast Asia as a nuclear-free region. Finally, in light of the developments among nations at the NPT Review Conference held in late August, he reiterated the significance of an international conference where all states can come together to discuss nuclear abolition.
Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022: Chile
AbstractIn September 2022, the American institution Freedom House, known for its Freedom in the World Index, published a special issue on Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022. GGR assistant Sascha Hannig Nuñez co-authored a section of the report which analyzes the disinformation and the degree of influence that the Chinese media have had on Chile. The report explores Chinese influence efforts in digital, press, and audiovisual media across dozens of countries in the world, identifying unfair responses against Chinese citizens (as overreaction) and resilience mechanisms to protect freedom of expression and democracy. Common practices were identified for all PRC state media, public officials, and diplomats. In Chile, the researchers found that these attempts to change narratives appeared especially through inserts and co-publications in traditional media, with the objective of countering the negative image of the PRC during the pandemic and creating a parallel concept of democracy. Interestingly, the main supportive group of Beijing’s narratives was the Chilean elites. Still, journalists and civil society have kept this influence attempts exposed. The report was also cited by media outlets such as Voice of America (in English and Chinese) and the independent Chilean media Ex Ante.
The NPT’s breaks apart again: How to rebuild trust in intense situations- Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor at the Graduate School of Law in Hitotsubashi University [in Japanese]
AbstractOn August 26, 2022, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference came to a close without reaching a consensus on the final document. Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, who oversaw the conference process as an advisor to the Japanese delegation, discussed "confidence building" and "crisis management," which will be key issues at future NPT Review Conferences. After describing the points of this year’s NPT Review Conference, Professor Akiyama shared his views on how to encourage countries to work together to address common issues at future conferences.
Russia’s Nuclear Threat, China’s Speaking Power: Anomalies in the NPT Conference, Professor Akiyama Explains [in Japanese]
AbstractProfessor Nobumasa Akiyama attended the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference held from August 21 to August 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and explained the issues that were brought up. Through his experience of attending the NPT Review Conference since 2000, Professor Akiyama described the key points of the conference and explained the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the conference and what the participating countries discussed.
The Resurgence of the American Laobr Union Movement? What It Means Legally to Win an Election, and the Long Way Beyond That [in Japanese]
AbstractThe coronavirus pandemic and the recent price hikes have stimulated union movements in the United States, and labor unions have won representative elections at two renowned companies, Starbucks and Amazon. Using the cases of these two companies as examples, Professor Nakakubo discusses the significance and structure of representative elections from a legal perspective. This article introduces the uniquely American legal system of exclusive bargaining based on majority rule, and then explains the process of union organizing activities, filing for an election, election campaings, and determining the results by cast ballots under this system. In addition, it points out that even when a union wins the election and collective bargaining begins, it may lose its bargaining representative status if a collective agreement is not concluded within a year, and that there is a long way before a union's presence takes root. Although the legal reform is unlikely to be realized and the difficult conditions for unions will continue, Professor Nakakubo suggests that there are signs that the changing times are causing unions to be reevaluated and the future will be interesting to watch.
Hybridization of the Japanese and Korean film industries as seen in “Baby Broker” [in Japanese]
AbstractThe recent hit, ”Baby Broker,” which won two awards at the Film de Cannes held in May, was a Korean film produced by a Japanese director. Under the direction of Hirokazu Koreeda, a renowned Japanese film director, eminent Korean actors and actresses such as Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Bae Doo-na, and IU came together to create a movie that has been highly praised both by the Korean and Japanese communities as well as the global society. In this article, Professor Kwon Yongseok highlights the significance of a Japanese director shooting a movie in Korea considering the past and current relationship between the Japanese and Korean governments. Furthermore, he discusses the teamwork of Koreeda and Song in making this film as well as Koreeda’s decision in including one of South Korea’s most popular singers, IU. Professor Kwon indicates that these factors could lead to a new phase for both the Japanese and Korean film industries in which the entertainment industry could help to overcome the tensions in diplomatic affairs.
From a Discussion Panel Member: The Use of Legitimacy to Shake Up the Order [in Japanese]
AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara points out that Russia attempts to violate the international order by using the highly legitimate norm of religion in its aggression against Ukraine.
Proactive Diplomacy is Needed for the Formation of International Order [in Japanese]
AbstractProfessor Maiko Ichihara discusses the implications that foreign affairs have on the Upper House elections on July 10. While diplomacy is not a top election agenda normally, she explains how this election is particularly different, along with the diplomatic stance presented by each party.