Other Publications
World Without Nuclear Weapons, However Long It May Take: Expectations of Japanese Researcher for the Hiroshima Summit [in Japanese]
AbstractOn May 18, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced an article that interviewed Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, Dean of School of International and Public Policy, Professor at Graduate School of Law, and GGR Researcher, titled “World Without Nuclear Weapons, However Long It May Take: Expectations of Japanese Researcher for the Hiroshima Summit.“ In this article, Professor Akiyama discussed what the G7 should voice toward "a world without nuclear weapons.” First, Professor Akiyama argued that, based on rising tensions among the major powers and in the region, there will probably be virtually no linear progress toward “a world without nuclear weapons.” The professor then stated that building a track record of nuclear weapons not being ultimately used under any circumstances is important for achieving “a world without nuclear weapons,” even though it may seem like a slow and roundabout way to go. The professor stressed the importance of bridging the gap in perceptions of nuclear weapons due to the different geopolitical risks that countries face to strengthen cooperation between emerging and developing countries in the nuclear field. In addition, regarding China's nuclear weapons, the professor explained that the lack of disclosure of nuclear-related information has created a major transparency problem.
Dystopia: Hybrids of Reality [in Spanish]
AbstractOn March 20, 2023, Sascha Hannig Nuñez, GGR assistant and international analyst published an article "Dystopia: Hybrids of Reality (original title: Distopías híbridas de realidad)" in the Spanish literature critic journal, Cuadernos Hispanoamericanos. Hannig Nunez discusses the concept of dystopia, referring to philosophical, political and literary sources, as a starting point for her discussion of dystopia, which crosses boundaries such as study fields, eras, and geography. First, Ms. Hannig Nunez finds commonalities with T. More's concept of utopia and dystopia’s ideological origin as coined by J. S. Mill. She also argues that the experience of control in authoritarian regimes has been reflected in dystopian works, and finds this characteristic from Y. Zamyatin under the Soviet Union to J. Baradit's in the current Chile, South America. Ms. Hannig Nunez points out that technological developments have also developed means of repression, as reflected, for example, in the literature of Kazuo Ishiguro, which incorporates cloning technology. Finally, she noted that parallels to an Orwellian world can be seen in today's reality, and warned that the banal use of the word dystopia to describe mundane situations can lead to the loss of its striking and daring meaning.
Emerging Strategic Risks in the Asia-Pacific and the Impact on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime: The Japanese Perspective
AbstractOn March 6, 2023, the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network（ALPN）published the report “Emerging strategic risks in the Asia-Pacific and the impact on the nuclear non-proliferation regime: The Japanese perspective,” written by Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, dean of Hitotsubashi University School of International and Public Policy and GGR researcher. ALPN is a network of former and currently serving political, diplomatic, and military leaders, as well as scholars and opinion leaders based in the Asia-Pacific region. Their ultimate aim is to eliminate the usage of nuclear weapons and they do so by informing and influencing public opinion to take into consideration the threat that nuclear weapons pose to this world. Professor Akiyama, as a member of the ALPN, wrote this report with the purpose of explaining the current nuclear situation in the Asia-Pacific from the perspective of Japan.
The Situation of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court [in Japanese]
AbstractOn March 20, 2023, Professor Hitomi Takemura, Professor and GGR Research Fellow at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law, published an article entitled “The Situation of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court” in Volume 29 of Kyushu International University Law Journal. Professor Takemura first pointed out that although neither Ukraine nor Russia are States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute, the former accepted its jurisdiction previously and the 43 signatories referred the situation on to ICC, the Office of the Prosecutor was able to open an investigation. However, the professor argued that ICC has limitations in terms of the principle of complementarity, personal jurisdiction, jurisdiction ratione materiae, and its effectiveness. In addition, the professor argued that while the difficulty of scrutinizing evidence makes the finding of genocide crimes difficult, international cooperation frameworks are facilitated to collect evidence. The Professor also pointed out the problem of the fulfillment of states' obligations regarding the Genocide Convention is nowadays dealt with by the simultaneous pendencies of a dispute both with the International Court of Justice and the ICC. Finally, based on the principle of complementarity, the professor argues that a long-term perspective is necessary to assess ICC’s effectiveness and efficiency, especially because its States Parties bear the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute crimes under international law in order to terminate the culture of impunity.
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Karuizawa – Hear the Voices of Citizens under Oppression [in Japanese]
AbstractOn April 16, 2023, Shinano Mainichi Shimbun introduced an article of Dr. Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and professor of the Graduate School of Law at Hitotsubashi University, titled “G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa - Hear the Voices of Citizens under Oppression.” Looking ahead to the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in mid-April and the G7 Summit to follow, Professor Ichihara outlined the following policies that the Japanese government should pursue to lead the international community as the G7 chair country. First, the professor stressed the importance of "freedom" and "rule of law," which are centered on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) new plan announced on March 20, 2023, and that "respect for the historical and cultural diversity of each country" is essential to realize this vision. On the other hand, Professor Ichihara emphasized that respect for the culture means not merely accepting the claims of the government, but also listening to the voices of the citizens of the country. To this end, the professor suggested that the Japanese government should collaborate with private actors, and working with the Sunnylands Initiative, launched by related actors, is an effective way to achieve this.
Perspectives on Chinese Law – What is “Chinese-style rule of law”? [in Japanese]
AbstractIn February 2023, Professor Makoto Tajimi, GGR researcher and a professor at the Graduate School of Law of Hitotsubashi University, published an article entitled “From the Perspective of Chinese Law: What is ‘Chinese-Style Rule of Law’?” (in Japanese) in Volume 83 of the journal of Japan Society of Comparative Law. Professor Tajimi defined the Hong Kong national security law as the "Chineseization of Hong Kong" and discussed the Chinese-style rule of law (中国式法治) and the Chinese-style democracy (中国式民主). Professor explained that the rule of law is placed under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and aims to realize CCP's policy objectives. In addition, the Professor argued that Chinese democracy emphasizes unification and solidarity, and democracy and the party is positioned as integrated parts with one another. Professor Tajimi stated that the rule of law and democracy of the Chinese style are considerably different from those liberal democracy assumes. The Professor also pointed out that occurrences such as the concentration of power in the "new era" after the inauguration of Xi Jinping and the recent zero-corona policy do not indicate a change in the abovementioned concepts. Rather, the Professor argued, they are proof that the Chinese-style rule of law under the leadership of the CCP and the Chinese style of democracy, which aims to promote the interests of the whole under the CCP, are being strengthened and carried through.
A History of Feud and Repeated Dialogue: Poland’s Active Support for Ukraine [In Japanese]
AbstractOn March 12, 2023, Asahi Shimbun featured a comment made by Professor Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and member of the Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law, in its “#Opinion” column. The article the professor commented on was about the generous support shown by the Polish people towards the Ukrainians. In the article, Professor Satoshi Koyama of Kyoto University who specializes in early modern Polish history outlines the history of conflict and dialogue between Poland and Ukraine. He explains that it is precisely because of this interaction that the Polish society has been able to show such enthusiasm towards supporting Ukraine. As a member of the #Opinion panel, Professor Ichihara links this to Japan's pacifism, explaining that Japan has shown itself to be intransigent when it comes to matters outside its own borders. She points out that Japan should contribute actively to the building of a peaceful international environment.
What Is the Future for Global Cooperation on Democracy?
AbstractOn March 13, 2023, FORUM 2000 published the policy paper “What Is the Future for Global Cooperation on Democracy?”, which was co-authored by Professor Maiko Ichihara, GGR researcher and member of the Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law. The professor wrote this policy paper with renowned researchers and scholars in the field of democracy and freedom. The overall aim of this paper is to assess the current state of cooperation on democracy and suggest how the Summit for Democracy (S4D) should proceed after its second summit in late March 2023. The authors first indicate the significance of the new and comprehensive “cohorts” which are divided into seventeen specific themes. After assessing the general impact that these cohorts have had across various regions, they argue that there has been a lack of commitment by governments after the first summit held in 2021. In regard to the second summit, the authors show their concern about how the events do not provide much opportunity to hold talks beyond regional boundaries. In the second section, the report highlights the geopolitical change that has occurred since the first summit, namely Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s shift in its zero-COVID policy. In light of these political dynamics, Professor Ichihara and her co-authors argue that the S4D cohorts need to focus on high-level aspects of democratic coordination. In presenting a more specific proposal for the upcoming summit, the authors call for shared leadership to ensure that a wide range of democratic states can feel a sense of autonomy in steering the process for democratic coordination. One of their suggestions is to have each regional convention elect one leading country and to have these leading countries from each region gather to oversee activities throughout a one-year term. Furthermore, the report suggests that the profound issue of invitations could be overcome by having regional hosts partner with other regional bodies and civil society organizations. In the end, the authors assert that the S4D Summit should shift from a state-centered approach to one that comprehensively focuses on global democrats. Not only would this mean the inclusion of civil society organizations, but also the Global South as well. The report proposes that the Summit, which started as an intergovernmental scheme, transforms into a public-private network that incorporates actors from various states and sectors. This would mean that the S4D stray from its current initiative and move towards “a more strategic, more inclusive, and tailored democratic coordination.”
Bringing the Benefits of Democracy into the Discussion [In Japanese]
AbstractOn March 12, 2023, Shinano Mainichi Shimbun published the article “Bringing the Benefits of Democracy into the Discussion,” by Professor Maiko Ichihara. The professor begins by bringing up the Summit for Democracy, which is to be held in late March, and states that much has changed since the first summit was held in 2021. For example, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s strict COVID-19 policies have enhanced the attractiveness of democracies by highlighting the problems that authoritarian governments face. On the other hand, the cooperative approach taken by the democratic countries towards Russia and China has strengthened the association of democracy with negative images such as interstate conflicts and wars. The professor expressed her concern over this association between security issues and democracy and argued that in order to protect liberal and democratic values, discussions regarding the positive effects that democracy has on the lives of individuals are necessary.
Withdrawal or Continuation of the New START Treaty: Putin Troubled and the U.S. Administration Put to the Test [in Japanese]
AbstractOn February 23, 2023, Asahi Shimbun published the interview “Withdrawal or Continuation of the New START Treaty: Putin Troubled and the U.S. Administration Put to the Test” with Professor Nobumasa Akiyama, Dean of Hitotsubashi University’s School of International and Public Policy and GGR researcher. This article was published immediately after Russia’s decision to suspend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) and U.S. President Biden’s surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Professor Akiyama commented on how he perceives Russia’s decision and why Putin acted the way he did in light of the approaching one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s invasion. Furthermore, he indicated that this could cause a political division within the U.S. as Russia’s suspension challenges the Biden administration’s agenda of disarmament. Professor Akiyama concluded on the note that further negotiations to renew the treaty could stall and further scrutinization on how the US reacts to this situation is necessary.