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[Seminar] The all-inclusive lecture by Professor Hasegawa and the special lecture by Mr. Hirabayashi (10th July 2012)

　On 10th Jul 2012, we attended the all-inclusive lecture by Professor Hasegawa. Using their PowerPoint slides made by Yui Narikawa and Moe Kurisu, Professor Hasegawa explained “Globalization and Interdependence” to us. Especially we discussed the issue of national defense in Japan. In the 5th period, we welcomed Mr. Hirabayashi Kunihiko, the Director of UNICEF at the Tokyo office and he delivered us the lecture on “Incredible India”. First of all, he explained the outline of India, especially geographical feature, religion and politics. Then he mentioned the health situation in relation to the issue of the regional and economical gap. Finally he emphasized “Social Exclusion” causes child labor and India should change it into “Social Inclusion”. After the seminar, we had dinner with Professor Hasegawa, Mr. Hirabayashi and his daughter. (Mai Nakasendo)

2012-07-11

[Balkan] The Current Contributions and Outcomes of JICA to the Balkan States (Professor Kurosawa) (9th July 2012)

　On 9th July 2012, Prof. Satoru Kurosawa, Former Resident Representative of JICA Balkan Office, delivered a lecture on the contributions of JICA to the Balkan States, particularly for the seminar students who will go to the Former Yugoslavia as the study-tour. In his lecture, he explained the current situation in Serbia and the close friendship between Serbia and Japan. First, he referred to Serbian role as a part of Europe, Serbian fame around the world and Yugoslavian religion. Second, he also mentioned the reason why Serbia has got along with Japan. After his presentation, some seminar students who will go to the Former Yugoslavia questioned him on the historical and political issues in the Former Yugoslavia. (Kohei Yokota)

2012-07-10

[IntOrg] Changing Roles of NATO (Director Mr. Yoshizaki) (4th July 2012)

　On 4th July 2012, Mr. Tomonori Yoshizaki, Director of the Security Studies Department of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) of the Ministry of Defense, delivered a lecture on the evolving roles of international organizations from the viewpoint of collective security. First, he explained the collective security mechanism and three criteria of effective collective security, namely certainly, utility and inclusivity. Secondly, he provided a detailed explanation about the origin, growth and transformation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As its mission goal, NATO started with the collective defense of the North Atlantic region during the Cold War. It then transformed itself with the expansion of its membership from 12 to 28 countries many of which are from the Eastern Europe and with the addition of providing security to not only its members but also countries suffering from humanitarian and other crisis. Professor Yoshizaki noted in summary that NATO had acquired a strategic nature in its crisis management by undertaking military interventions of coercive diplomacy and adopting a comprehensive approach aimed at protecting civilians in crisis, stabilization and security sector reform. The areas and countries in which NATO has undertaken military operations included Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya. Professor Yoshizaki also explained the difference between Libyan and Syrian situations and the implications of the establishment of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). (Yuko Honda)

2012-07-05

[Diplomacy] Acting Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary of The Republic of Cameroon in Tokyo had a Dialogue with Hosei Students (3rd July 2012)

　On 3rd July 2012, Dr. Appolinaire Essomba, Acting Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary of The Republic of Cameroon in Tokyo, gave a lecture about the Republic of Cameroon to students of Hosei University. First of all, Dr. Essomba mentioned that there are many people in Cameroon each with different religious, racial and ethnic background. Although they live under different circumstances, they live in harmony and peace in Cameroon. He also said that Cameroon tries to cooperate with other international countries. When Cameroon had a territorial dispute with Nigeria, Cameroon managed to solve this problem in a peaceful way. They did not resort to an armed conflict. At last, Dr. Essomba said, it is more important rather to cooperate with other countries than to solve problems by force in today’s global society. (Mai Uchida)

2012-07-04

[NEWS] Fifteen Timorese Students Interacted with the Hasegawa Seminar Students (28th June 2012)

　On 28th June 2012, the fifteen Timorese students visited the Hosei University and the Hasegawa seminar students welcomed them. Upon arrival of the Timorese students at Hosei University, five Hasegawa seminar students guided them around the Ichigaya campus. After the campus tour, the Hasegawa seminar students numbering sixteen and the Timorese students had an informative discussion following opening remarks made by H.E. Mr. Isilio Antonio de Fatima Coelho da Silva, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Japan and Professor Hasegawa. Finally, both Timorese and Hosei students exchanged their views and built their friendship over informal dinner. (Sayuri Maruyama)

2012-06-28

[NEWS] Professor Hasegawa Appointed Member of ACUNS Board of Directors

　As former graduate student of Professor Hasegawa, I am pleased to inform you that he has been appointed as a member of the Board of Diectors of the Academic Council on United Nations System (ACUNS) for a period of three years. Please see the ACUNS website http://acuns.org/acuns-board-of-directors/ about other members of the Board and ACUNS activities. (Asami Ikeda)

2012-06-28

[Seminar] Preventive deployments and Traditional Peacekeeping (26th June 2012)

　On June 26th 2012, the Peace Building Group and the Development Economic Group made presentations on the two chapters of “UNDERSTANDING PEACEKEEPING”.
　In the 4th period, the Peace Building Group explained the Chapter 6: Preventive Deployment. First, the Peace Building Group described how to prevent the occurrence of conflict and what tasks are fit for preventive deployments. Also, they mentioned that the primary goal of peace operations is to prevent conflict in the first place. In addition, conflict prevention chain suggested by Ken Menkhaus and the 6 links in this chain were discussed. Second, they talked about the two real cases of preventive deployment: UNPREDEP in Macedonia and EUFOR RD Congo. According to the presenters, the important aspect with the former mission was the president of Macedonia himself made the request to UN for help. Finally, they mentioned that the reason why there are relatively few examples of preventive deployments is due to the five political challenges and dilemmas. They concluded that the attention and intervention by international organizations is needed and the fast response from these organizations is essential.
　In the 5th period, the Development Economic Group presented Chapter 7: Traditional Peacekeeping. First, the Development Economic Group explained the holy trinity: consent, impartiality and minimum use of force. The last conception refers to non-use of force except for self-defense, said Professor Hasegawa. Second, they told that traditional peacekeeping is based on observer mission by the UN. Also, they presented three real cases of traditional peacekeeping missions: UNEF1 in Egypt, UNFICYP in Cyprus and UNMEE in Ethiopia and Eritrea. And finally, Professor Hasegawa mentioned that POC (protection of civilians) originated in R2P (responsibility to protect) is recently focused on. (Minshik KIM)

2012-06-27

[Diplomacy] The World Bank in the Multi-Polar Economy (Mr. Kazushige Taniguchi, Special Representative from Japan for The World Bank) (19th June 2012)

　On June 19th 2012, Mr. Kazushige Taniguchi, Special Representative from Japan for The World Bank visited Hosei University and delivered a lecture on The World Bank in The Multi-Polar Economy. First, he insisted on the Developing Countries’ Rising Role and background of developing countries. Although developing countries are playing a key role in the global growth, those countries still have some issues. For example, high percentage of population without access to electricity, excessive numbers of deaths of female population and children under the age of five and high emission of CO2. Second, he made statements on Japanese economy and population. Total Population of Japan has been continuously decreasing since 2005, the year which the peak of the Japanese population was at and GDP of Japan is not growing after the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble. Finally, Mr. Taniguch explained general description of The World Bank. He said that The World Bank is the largest international development financial institution in the world and provides long-term development assistance to developing countries by cooperating with The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in comparing countries. He also explained about “World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings” that is to be held in Japan this year. (Minako Ishikawa)

2012-06-20

[Seminar] Peace Operations in the 1990 and the Twenty-First Century (19th Jun 2012)

　On 19th June 2012, following presentations made by the Economic Development group, the seminar first discussed how a triple transformation took place in peace operations comprising quantitative, normative and qualitative changes. Following the end of the Cold War, the United Nations began to implement complex operations addressing the causes of intra-state conflicts and transform war-torn societies by fostering human rights and democratic governance. The seminar then studied the recommendations made by the Brahimi Report through improvements in making decisions at UN headquarters and enacting mandates by the Security Council, securing of resources, deploying peacekeepers and carrying out operations robustly. Further reform proposals were presented to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General based on the recommendations of the high level panel on threats and challenges to the international community. The General Assembly then adopted a resolution commonly called the Outcome Document and established a Peacebuilding Commission and a standing police capacity and endorsed the notion of the responsibility to protect (R2P). The United Nations, through adoption of the Capstone Doctrine, also added three principles, credibility, legitimacy and national ownership to its existing principles of consent, impartiality and non-use of force except for self-defense. (Yuna Kitamura)

2012-06-20

[Diplomacy] Liberalism and International Political Economy (Professor Hasegawa) (12th June 2012)

　On 12th June 2012, Professor Hasegawa delivered a lecture on liberalism and international political economy. Adam Smith claimed that wealth of nation increases if economic activities are left to the invisible hand. David Ricardo said that the theory of comparative advantage explains the benefit of free trade. They insisted that a government should leave men and their activities alone and not to regulate them. Liberalism has three variations. It is market, institutional and republican liberalism. Interdependence makes nation states to seek stability and peace while international organizations set norms and rules to enable states to cooperate. Secondly, Professor Hasegawa explained the Neo-liberalism. The market should function without government intervention. Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan are the ones who carried this out. By various systems such as GATT or WTO, the doctrine advocating global free market gained strength. Then John Williamson made the Washington consensus which called for restructuring, deregulation, tax reform, tariff abolition, free capital movement, etc. Thirdly, Professor Hasegawa explained the implications of financial crises that took place during the last two decades The Asian Financial Crisis started in Thailand and spread to Indonesia, South Korea and other parts of Asia and Russia in late 1990s. This was a sudden loss of confidence in national currencies of these countries. The world financial crisis that continues up to today began by the extension of excess subprime loans in 2007. Finally, he explained the nature and extent of the current European sovereign debt crisis. Many European countries are suffering from enormous debts from huge public expenditure and capital shortage in banks. The amount of public expenditures has been kept relatively low in comparison with other advanced countries. The number of public servants in Japan is less than almost all other industrialized countries of Europe and North America. Japanese banks which had most serious problem in the 1990s now have low loan deposit ratios and stronger a capital liquidity position than European banks. But, the level of Japan`s government and public sector debt is excessively high at about twice the amount of Japan’s gross domestic product. The public debt has to be curtailed lest it would eventually impact the national solvency. (Daiki Kawabe)

2012-06-13

[IntOrg] Noblemaire and Flemming Principles Governing Working Conditions UN Employees (Professor Hasegawa) (6th June 2012)

　On 6th June 2012, Professor Hasegawa lectured on two principles that governed the conditions of international civil servants working in the UN common system. The Noblemaire Principle set a salary scale of UN staff based on the highest paid national civil service and that the US federal civil service had been used as the comparator civil service. The second principle called the Flemming Principle stipulated that local staff of the UN system should be paid “best prevailing local rates” and according to “best prevailing local conditions.” Professor Hasegawa then explained in details the salaries and allowances of the UN’s the terms of employment. The salaries consisted of basically professional and general service. Their levels are decided on the competence and experience. The amount of salary is adjusted on the location of staff assignment post. UN staff also benefitted from education, dependency and other grants as well as annual, sick, maternity and other leaves. Professor Hasegawa analyzed the implications of UN staff benefits and allowances in terms of wider doctrines such as liberal and social democracy. Finally, he asked the students about their views on the applications of the Noblemaire and Flemming principles, which the students found reasonable and attractive particularly for female workers. The students were then given five minutes to write down their views. (Yasuki Uchiyama)

2012-06-07

[Diplomacy] The international frameworks and politics of Japan in the field of reduction and nonproliferation of arms (Ms. Keiko Yanai) (5th June 2012)

　On June 5th 2012, Ms. Keiko Yanai who is the Senior Coordinator, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lecture on the non-proliferation politics. First, she talked about means of arms reduction and nonproliferation, and explained that they are needed for three reasons; the military security, humanitarianism and the economical development. Also, she referred to the present condition of nuclear states in the world, the general outline of NPT and rules of IAEA and Japanese policies on arms reduction and nonproliferation. Next, she talked about termination attempt on the use of CCM as a case-study for international struggle for arms reduction and nonproliferation. Then, she referred to the UN’s process on reduction and nonproliferation and noted that the diplomacy is to adjust the profits and national interests states have to promote. Finally, she argued that the cooperation with a civil society is required for nations to encourage the reduction and non proliferation. (Sayaka Yatabe)

2012-06-06

[IntOrg] International Public Service System (Professor Hasegawa) (30th May 2012)

　On 30th May 2012, Professor Hasegawa spoke on the international civil service system centered the United Nations common system. First, he explained how the international civil service emerged with the establishment of the League of Nations. The system was designed to enable international civil servants to maintain their highest standard, independence and impartiality. The Noblemaire Principle was established to provide the best working conditions and compensations to recruit most qualified personnel. Secondly, he explained the structure of United Nations secretariat consisting of the Secretary-General and his staff, including seven different kinds of contracts given to staff and personnel such as regular staff and technical cooperation personnel, etc. He noted dramatic increase in the ratio of women in staff composition as a result of gender equality policy adopted in the 1990’s. Finally, Professor Hasegawa talked about the recruitment criteria particularly competencies, academic qualification, professional expertise and proficiency in working languages. English has become the common language for use in most of the international organizations while French or Spanish is used as the second language.(Daiki Kawabe)

2012-05-31

[Diplomacy] Japanese UN diplomacy on human rights (Mr. Akio Miyajima) (29th May 2012)

　On May 29th, 2012, Mr. Akio Miyajima, Deputy Director-General, Foreign Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited our University and gave a lecture in the Diplomacy class on Japanese UN diplomacy on human rights. First, he outlined basic concept of human rights and shared the class with recent news reports and focused on the history of human rights, important advancements and setbacks including genocides, after the WWII. Second, he explained on UN’s effort on human rights, its achievements as well as limits. He cited important UN agreements including UN Charter and World Declaration on human rights. He also talked about the new concept of “Responsibility to Protect.(R2P)”When human rights of civilians are not by their government, who should protect them? What is the responsibility of international community? Finally, he explained on Japanese diplomacy on human right and emphasized that Japan basically relies on “dialogue and cooperation”approach and has employed “human security” as important implementing perspective. He talked about efforts on UN human rights resolution. He distributed copy of Statement by Mr.Yamane, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs at Human Rights Council High-level segment in Geneva which highlighted Japanese efforts on human rights both at international level and at home. (Risa Kato)

2012-05-30

[Seminar] Current Transformation in Myanmar (Ms. Ryoko Iizuka) (29th May 2012)

　On 29th May 2012, in the 4th period, the 4 seminar students: Yuuhi Kawase, Kohei Yokota, Mai Nakasendo and Sayaka Yatabe, made presentations on the Chapter 9 of the “Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation” written by Joseph Nye Jr. In the final chapter, Joseph Nye Jr. introduces a lot of prospect of the new world order; for instance, World Federalism, Functionalism, Regionalism, Ecologism and Cyber-Feudalism. In addition, Nye also mentioned that there are two conflicting ideas to how conflicts in the future will be formed. One side claims the persistent existence of monopoly by the liberals, and the other claims the revelation of the clash of cultural groups once hindered by conflicts of other nature such as proxy war. Furthermore, Ms. Ryoko Iizuka, the former programme manager of the UNDP Myanmar Office, made an insightful lecture entitled “Current Transformation in Myanmar” in the 5th period. First, she referred to the Myanmar’s transiton from military junta to civilian government (President Thein Sein regime) in terms of politics and economy. In additon, she also pointed out the political issues related to democracy under the President Thein Sein regime: for example, whether the government can pursue true democracy, whether the government can meet people’s needs, and whether the government can manage decentralization or not. Finally, she talked about the four UN strategic priorities: (1) to encourage inclusive growth, (2) to increase equitable access to quality social services, (3) to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, and (4) to promote good governance and to strengthen democratic institutions and rights. Speaking of good governance, she quoted from the inagural address of President Thein Sein, “The new Government will amend and revoke the existing laws and adopt new laws as necessary to implement the provisions on fundamental rights of citizens or human rights”. (Shogo Yoshida)

2012-05-30

[NEWS] Timor-Leste Celebrates 10 Years of Independence (20th May 2012)

　The tenth anniversary independence celebrations and the inauguration of new President Taur Matan Ruak in Timor-Leste held on 19and 20 May 2012. Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa of Hosei University, participated in the events and met with leaders of Timorese society and also United Nations officials. (Ken Inoue, Director and Chief Governance Advisor Democratic Governance Support Unit, United Nations Integrated Mission inTimor-Leste)

2012-05-25

[IntOrg] Financial Basis and Resource in International Organizations (Ms. Akari Kano) (23rd May 2012)

　Today, Ms. Akari Kano gave students a lecture about the financial basis and resource in international organizations. The UN budget is determined in accordance to the principle of equal sovereignty. Member nations pursue their own interests, so the budget is said to have a political aspect. The UN has been operating on a smaller budget than generally believed. Recently, the UN came to deal with non-traditional security issues, so the budget has been increasing. There are some committees in the UN related to the budget, and they support the General Assembly. Financial resources of the UN are various. Commonly known are the expenses shared by member states of which Japan is the second largest. A share of expenses will be assessed by a certain equation, and this has been in line with world affairs. The UN is faced with financial difficulties because member nations do not pay their share of expenses. The US is falling behind payments totaling four hundred million. There are various reasons why member nations do not pay their share of expenses. Introducing international solidarity tax may be mentioned as a means to solve this matter. Japan has played an important role in the UN finance. However, Japan should not only make a financial contribution, but should also take leadership in terms of other areas. (Moe Kurisu)

2012-05-24

[Seminar] The Information Revolution and Aristotle’s Theory of Justice (22nd May 2012)

On May 22nd 2012, the Human Rights Group made a presentation on Chapter 8 of the “Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation: an Introduction to Theory and History” by Joseph Nye, Jr. and David Welch. The presenters, Mr.Yuhi Kawase and Ms.Jieun Park explained the history and the characteristics of the information revolution and the changes that it has brought to politics. Also, they explained why terrorists, NGOs, and multinational corporations have emerged.
That presentation was preceded by comments from Ms.Aimi Ezawa on the balance of power in the region, while Mr.Shogo Yoshida spoke on the global public interest. The class discussed how the “digital divide” can be approached from the international level, state level, and individual level.
On the Justice Group presentation, we watched Michael J. Sandel’s video lecture and we discussed Casey Martin’s case study, using Aristotle’s Theory of Justice. Ms.Akiho Terauchi explained his theory; which designates the most suited thing goes to the most suited person. Determining the purpose of an object is a stating point, according to Aristotle’s Theory of Justice.(Eri Iijima)

2012-05-24

[Diplomacy] The United Nations’ role on diplomacy (Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Former Under-Secretary-General of the UN) (22th May 2012)

　On May, 22, 2012, Mr. Akashi, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations, visited Hosei University and gave a lecture on the United Nations in relation to its current challenges and interventions. Though the UN is carrying out on an intervention in Syria, – through ex-Secretary-General Kofi Anann’s mediation and its truce-monitoring mission, anti-government groups are claiming that current intervention by the UN is insufficient and calling for further UN involvement in Syria. But it is impossible to answer such a call. There are two reasons why the UN is unable to do so. First, the system of the Security Council. The existence of veto, held by five permanent members, is a cause of difficulty in decision making. This prerogative for the five is important in keeping powerful nations engaged in the UN. Second the interest of each member state that has a strong influence on the UN and its decision making. The UN is in some dilemma, having learned from failures in intervention in the past. A new notion was proclaimed in the Outcome Document adopted in 2005 as “the responsibility to protect”. At present, the UN is in a major transition from absolute state sovereignty to the implementation of trans-national human rights. The system of the Security Council and the divergent state interests prevent the UN from living up to the high expectation of the UN charter. On the other hand, member states can reach agreement when find a mutual interest to do so. So the key for greater efficiency of the UN is for the member states explore and reach more compromises in their struggle for interest harmonization, in order to better manage the UN. (Yuka Narikawa)

2012-05-23

[IntOrg] UN Security Council Reform (Mr.Umid and Professor Hasegawa) (16th May 2012)

　On 16th May 2012, Mr. Makhmudov Umid, a graduate student from Hosei University, made a presentation on the implications of the Security Council reform. One of the reasons why the Security Council needs reform is that the number of permanent members and non-permanent members are not sufficient to reflect the present condition of the world. Japan has attempted to be a permanent member along with India, Brazil and Germany. The failure of UN members to reach a consensus is their preoccupation with their national interests. According to Mr. Umid, Japan has diplomatic disputes with China, Russia, South Korea and so on. The Japanese tasks for the future are to take a leadership on the world stage, to resolve the disputes with the permanent members and to actively grapple with the reform of the Security Council.

　Professor Hasegawa then explained in detail the reform process which started in September 2003 when Kofi Atta Annan, the Secretary-General of the UN at the time, proposed the establishment of a High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Since its establishment in November, the Panel addressed three questions: (1) “what is the new threat that the international society faces?” (2) “what can be taken as a group against the new threats?” and (3) “how should the structure of the UN be reformed?” With regard to the Security Council, the Panel considered imperative to increase its effectiveness and credibility by bringing into the Security Council those countries that contribute most in terms of decision making and resources. The Secretary-General reflecting the recommendations of the Panel then presented in his report, “In Larger Freedom”, two Models A and B. Professor Hasegawa also explained other suggestions and proposals made by Group of Four, Consensus Group, African Union, the United States and the LDCs. Intensive and extensive negotiations took place in 2005 but due to the lack of a promising prospect for adoption of any of the proposal, no voting took place on them and the Security Council reform was abandoned temporarily. Professor Hasegawa noted that the Secretary-General’s proposal reflected the rationale for a more effective way to manage the international security, while the member states pursued primarily their immediate national interest. The Westphalia world of anarchy still prevailed and the era of effective global governance was yet to come. (Yui Narikawa)

2012-05-17

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