Other Publications
Law and International Relations as a Liberal Arts [in Japanese]
AbstractOn February 20, 2024, Law and International Relations as Liberal Arts: Bridges to New Fields of Scholarship, edited by Hitotsubashi Lecture Series on Law and International Relations Editorial Committee, was published. Many researchers belonging to GGR wrote chapters of this book. This series is designed to provide an overview of the field for those interested in law and international relations. While covering the latest research findings and topics in each field, the series also serves to demonstrate the research strength of Hitotsubashi University's Graduate School of Law and the Faculty of Law, as well as to contribute to society. Through this series, readers can acquire basic knowledge of law and international relations necessary for living in today's society.
Analyzing Chinese State Media’s Presence on Spanish-speaking YouTube
AbstractOn February 16, 2024, Freedom House published an article authored by Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, entitled "Analyzing Chinese State Media’s Presence on Spanish-speaking YouTube." In this paper, Ms. Hannig examines the presence, reach, narratives, and strategies of the Chinese Media Group's (CMG) Spanish-language programs on YouTube, using methodologies including content analysis, based on over 14,000 online videos published since 2016, amid the global expansion of Chinese state media. Through a comparative study of videos released by China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua enespañol, and Hola China, she concludes that their reach and influence are limited. She also notes various strategies such as narrowing down themes, targeting specific audiences, and amplifying narratives of other governments. However, she points out a common emphasis on producing a large amount of content to attract viewers' interest, increase followers, and subtly assert political perspectives.
“Hong Kong as an Ambiguous ‘Border'” [in Japanese]
AbstractOn February 15, 2024, an article authored by Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law, "Hong Kong as an Ambiguous 'Border'" was published in the Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. In this article, Professor Ichihara discusses the legal and political challenges facing Hong Kong due to its unique status, using the example of the extradition of pro-democracy activists. She mentions that even after the handover of Hong Kong, Hong Kong residents, who enjoy easy access to the outside world, have been resisting the increased repression by the Hong Kong government under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, with the 2019 anti-government protests being a symbolic example. She also points out that to suppress the growing anti-government voices, the Chinese Communist Party has expanded the spread of disinformation overseas. Furthermore, Professor Ichihara expresses concern about the Hong Kong government's preparation to enact a new national security law, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to expand its influence overseas through Hong Kong's ambiguous border.
China’s YouTube Propaganda in Latin America
AbstractOn February 13, 2024, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, authored an article, "China’s YouTube Propaganda in Latin America," published in The Diplomat. In this article, Ms. Hannig stated that Chinese state media share common objectives and aim to shape public opinion along Beijing's perspective under the guidance of President Xi Jinping. She pointed out that Spanish-language channels operated by the China Media Group, including China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua enespañol, and Hola China, adopt different strategies, limiting their influence on viewers. However, she noted that videos on specific topics attract more attention; for example, those addressing cultural issues or regional crises tend to receive higher viewer engagement.
“Influence Operations” are Threat to Democratic States [in Japanese]
AbstractOn January 21, 2024, an article of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law, "'Influence Operations' are Threat to Democratic States," was published in the Yomiuri Shimbun. In this article, Professor Ichihara explains that the term "influence operations" may seem irrelevant to daily life, but it is a serious threat. For example, she mentions how China has been trying to influence Japan by spreading disinformation about Japan through various methods, such as calling the treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant "nuclear-contaminated water" and imposing a total embargo on Japanese seafood. She also points out that influence operations are also directed at elections, which are the foundation of democracy, and that Russia's intervention in the U.S. presidential election and China's intervention in Taiwan's presidential election are also carried out using disinformation. In response to the growing threat of influence operations, we must first understand the harmful effects of the attention economy, reduce the influence of disinformation through reliable traditional media, and ensure that the general public is aware of the need to protect democracy from being undermined and to protect democracy supported by true freedom. Professor Ichihara emphasizes that these measures are extremely effective in countering influence operations by authoritarian states.
The Dangers of TikTok, a Pending Debate in Latin America [in Spanish]
AbstractOn February 14, 2024, La Tercera published an article authored by Ms. Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, entitled “The Dangers of TikTok, a Pending Debate in Latin America.” In this article, Ms. Hannig discusses that while India, the United States, New Zealand, and dozens of other countries have restricted the use of TikTok in their countries, TikTok has become very popular in Latin America. The problems it could pose to Latin American societies in the future and the measures that will be required to combat them are analyzed in this article. She first cites three main reasons for the worldwide restrictions on TikTok usage: the Chinese Communist Party's establishment of legal frameworks to utilize TikTok as a defense mechanism; doubts about whether the company adequately manages the content promoted or restricted on TikTok; and concerns regarding the number of underage users on TikTok. In conclusion, Ms. Hannig notes that discussions about regulating TikTok in Latin America are currently limited. However, she emphasizes the need for comprehensive discussions that take into account data protection and the geopolitical shifts each country faces.
China’s YouTube Propaganda in Latin America
AbstractOn February 13, 2024, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, authored an article, "China’s YouTube Propaganda in Latin America," which was published in The Diplomat. In this article, Hannig stated that Chinese state media share common objectives and aim to shape public opinion along Beijing's perspective under the guidance of President Xi Jinping. She pointed out that Spanish-language channels operated by the China Media Group, including China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua enespañol, and Hola China (CCTV), adopt different strategies, and their influence on viewers is limited. However, she noted that videos on specific topics attract more attention; for example, those addressing cultural issues or regional crises tend to receive higher viewer engagement.
“TikTok’s Impact on Security and the Current State of TikTok Regulations: Cases of the United States and Europe” [in Japanese]
AbstractOn February 1, 2024, Ms. Sascha Hannig Nuñez, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, and Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law co-authored an article, “TikTok's Impact on Security and the Current State of TikTok Regulations: Cases of the United States and Europe,” which was published in the Journal of Law and Information System. In this paper, Ms. Hannig and Professor Ichihara first discussed the role of media and social media platforms in shaping the narrative orchestrated by the Chinese government. They then examined the concerns raised by TikTok from four perspectives: national security concerns, input biases in algorithms and AI, dissemination of misinformation particularly among youth, and democratic considerations. Subsequently, they analyzed the regulations imposed on TikTok in Europe and the United States and concluded by providing recommendations for future actions to be taken in Japan. They emphasized the importance of measures that protect national security and children's rights while eliminating arbitrariness. They highlighted the necessity of conducting analyses of social media platforms, considering the influence of Chinese domestic laws, and implementing legal frameworks to protect privacy rights.
” Influence Operations that Attack Adversaries from Within: The Political Nature of What China “Does Not Talk About”” [in Japanese]
AbstractOn January 25, 2024, an article authored by Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law, titled “Influence Operations that Attack Adversaries from Within: The Political Nature of What China "Does Not Talk About"," was published on nippon.com. In this article, Professor Ichihara discusses the recent expansion of methods and scale of China's influence operations, as well as their primary objectives. Under the regime of Xi Jinping, she notes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has aggressively deployed influence operations, including strengthening external propaganda and leveraging disinformation abroad. Amidst increasing international criticism following events such as the protests in Hong Kong and the COVID-19 pandemic, she points out, the CCP has propagated narratives that glorify the party while criticizing the United States' response. Furthermore, she emphasizes that the CCP's objective in conducting influence operations is to weaken democratic nations from within, highlighting the issue of disinformation surrounding the discharge of treated water as a typical example. Finally, Professor Ichihara stresses that the targets of influence operations are individuals like ourselves, underscoring the importance of being mindful of the political agendas of information disseminators when consuming information.
Institutional Considerations on the Authority to Investigate and Verify in the Global Health Regime [in Japanese]
AbstractOn November 25, 2023, an article by Professor Nobumasa Akiyama of the Graduate School of Law, entitled "Institutional Considerations on the Authority to Investigate and Verify in the Global Health Regime" was published in International Politics, No. 211, "International Politics on Health." The article analyzes the factors that ensure the value and normative effectiveness of the international regime during an infectious disease pandemic crisis that is almost a threat to national security, where national sovereignty comes to the forefront. Professor Akiyama first discusses the cases of the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the challenge inspections of the Chemical Weapons Convention, summarizing the factors that make it possible to implement systems that constrain national sovereignty: technical feasibility, social demand, the political environment, and the institutional and political availability of discretion by sovereign states. Then, from the perspective of the relationship between states and the World Health Organization, he discusses the institutional issues surrounding the revision of the International Health Regulations and information sharing and reporting during a pandemic. Finally, Professor Akiyama makes recommendations on the required role of international organizations and measures to overcome the conflict of national sovereignty to improve the effectiveness of infectious disease control through the international regime in the field of public health.