Milestones in My Student Journey

M2 Reona FUKUHARA

I have completed my eight-year student journey under the guidance of my supervisor, Professor Fujii. In this essay, I would like to introduce some memories from my student life briefly.

Academic Activities 

During my master's program, I had a valuable opportunity to work as a researcher at the Mission of Japan to the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia for two years (Please see: https://www.fujiih.com/post/2-year-experience-in-ethiopia). Upon returning to Japan, I was fortunate to present my research about the AU at various conferences, including those by the Japan Associate of Global Governance and The Japan Society For International Development (JASID). At the Japan Associate of Global Governance, with supports from other students, I analyzed an impact of the AU's transitional policy, using the case of northern conflict in Ethiopia. Additionally, at the 26th JASID, my research team examined that the AU is becoming a strong negotiator in international relations by creating new rules and norms as a voice of the African continent. This research encouraged us to reconsider the Japan-Africa relationship.  "I was able to apply my field experience to my research, which ultimately led to policy recommendations. In this sense, through my research activities, not only was I able to refine my investigative skills, but I also became more conscious of how to present my work in a way that would attract the interest of a larger audience, which was a significant growth of me compared to a couple years ago.

(Photo 1: Poster presentation at The Japan Society For International Development)

In addition to the research activities mentioned above, I had the opportunity to participate as a speaker at various career seminars. For instance, I have shared my experience in Ethiopia on the occasion of the 25th JASID plenary session "Realizing International Cooperation and Interactive Co-creation in Local Context Global and Glocal Human Resource Development". I was also invited to speak at a career seminar on International Peace and Coexistance organized by Hiroshima University. Thanks to these experiences, I gained the confidence to find myself standing as a speaker at a career seminar—something I never imagined when I was in my bachelor's degree and searching for a role model to shape my career.

(Photo 2: Photo of the plenary session)

Field Activities

As a summary of my student life, I had the privilege of participating in the Jean-Pictet Competition in Turkey, followed by a visit to the Netherlands, where I had the opportunity to visit the Japanese Embassy in the Netherlands and the International Criminal Court. The Jean-Pictet Competition is one of the most renowned and distinctive competitions in the field of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), attracting both humanitarian professionals and students aspiring to build careers in IHL (For more information, see here). Participating in this prestigious competition not only allowed me to enhance my ability to analyze complex legal scenarios under high pressure but also provided communities and the broader humanitarian field.

(Photo 3: With participants of the Jean-Pictet Competition)

Following the competition, my team visited the Netherlands and met Professor Fujii, who is working at the ICC as an Associate Analyst in the Country Analysis Unit-Registry. With the generous support of Professor Fujii, my team visited the ICC and the Japan Embassy in the Netherlands. In particular, we had the valuable opportunity to exchange views with the ICC staff on the vision and challenges in the field of international criminal justice and their thoughts on supporting the victims of conflict. Those experiences significantly broadened my understanding of the ICC's operations. They deepened my knowledge of Japan's policy towards the Court, offering me an enriched perspective on the intersection of international law and humanitarian work.

(Photo 4: In front of the ICC)

For the Next Journey

As I stand at the threshold of a new chapter in my life, I look toward my future career at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with great anticipation and a sense of responsibility. One of the key reasons I am excited about joining JICA is the agency's emphasis on human-centered development. Through its projects, JICA works to enhance the capabilities of local communities and governments, helping them to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability. By working with JICA, I hope to be part of initiatives that create lasting positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.

Moreover, my participation in competitions such as the Jean-Pictet Competition has given me invaluable insights into the importance of collaboration and communication. These experiences taught me how to articulate complex ideas, engage with stakeholders from different backgrounds, and adapt to various cultural contexts—all of which are essential competencies when working in international development. I am also aware that working in international cooperation means encountering obstacles such as political and economic instability, limited resources, and sometimes conflicting priorities among stakeholders. However, I am confident that the lessons I have learned will serve me well in solving these challenges.

In conclusion, I believe that joining JICA marks the beginning of a new, exciting chapter. I look forward to using the knowledge and skills I have gained to help build a more equitable and sustainable world.

* I am deeply grateful to Professor Fujii for his guidance and all the seminar members' valuable advice and thoughtful questions throughout my activities. I sincerely thank them.

Valuable Experience and Knowledge Through the IHL Role-Playing Competition: Reflections on My Second Challenge

B3 Miyu SUZUKI

On December 7, 2024, the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Role-Play Competition was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo. In this competition, participants assumed roles such as ICRC staff, diplomats, and government officials. They applied their knowledge of IHL in response to pre-shared facts and scenarios presented on the event day. In this essay, I would like to share how I prepared for the competition and my experience on the day and reflect on the lessons I learned compared to my previous participation.

Preparation for the competition began in the summer. The initial step was to carefully analyze the facts and create plausible scenarios based on the roles we could assume. These preparations required research into legal theories, political contexts, and previous cases, as well as an understanding of emerging topics such as space law and autonomous weapons, so as a team, we needed to understand the latest interpretations of IHL. Together with senior members of the Fujii Seminar, we worked on what we assumed would be a debate-style discussion. Our goal was to research and document new issues, conversations, and advice and to be able to respond to the same content scenario smoothly. In addition, we organized study sessions to deepen our understanding of ICRC itself, such as principles, humanitarian diplomacy, and ways of humanitarian assistance in specific situations. Our focus shifted to preparing for the interview-based simulations one month before the competition. For example, topics related to detention facilities required a detailed understanding of the legal distinctions between Prisoners of War (POWs) and internees. Members of the seminar acted as interviewers and provided constructive feedback. Lastly, under the guidance of Professor Fujii, we refined our communication skills, learning essential techniques for role-play and gaining the confidence to handle challenging scenarios effectively.

On the day of the competition, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of tension and excitement, similar to what I experienced last year. The competition featured three simulations. In the first simulation, teams discussed the implementation of military operations for the future, addressing topics such as cyber-attacks, autonomous weapons, space law, and fundamental principles of IHL. Participants explored humanitarian assistance and ICRC interventions in the second simulation, engaging with government military leaders and a rebel group. To complete the final simulation, it was necessary to visit a detention facility, conduct interviews, and report the findings to facility representatives. While the settings were similar to those I had prepared for, the actual simulations carried an intensity and realism that highlighted the challenges faced by ICRC staff in conflict zones.

Although the result of the competition did not meet my expectations, I believe that the experience was invaluable. I gained new insights into international law and realized the difficulty of effectively applying legal principles under pressure. I felt more confident and better prepared this time than my participation in last year’s IHL moot court competition. However, I also realized that there are areas where I need to improve my language skills, critical thinking, and adaptability in unfamiliar situations. These challenges have motivated me to continue making efforts for future competitions and further develop my abilities.

In conclusion, the IHL Role-Play Competition was a meaningful experience that enabled me to see my growth and identify areas for further improvement. I am deeply grateful to Professor Fujii, my seminar peers, and everyone who supported me. Moving forward, I would like to build on this experience as I continue to study international humanitarian law and challenge myself with new opportunities.

Lessons from the first attending International Humanitarian Law Moot Court in 2024

Sana YAMAMOTO (B3)

On December 1st, 2024, I participated in the preliminary round of the International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It was my first time attending this event, and it was an incredible experience working alongside my talented teammates—Haruka Yokoi, Ouka Yoshida, and Saya Miyoshi.

As part of the prosecution team, Ouka Yoshida and I focused on building a case against the accused, who was charged under Articles 25(3)(c) and 25(3)(d) of the Rome Statute. These charges stemmed from his involvement in acts that led to direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, in violation of Articles 8(2)(e)(i) and 8(2)(e)(ii). On the other hand, Haruka Yokoi and Saya Miyoshi represented the defense, working hard to counter the prosecutor's arguments.

We received the case scenario from the ICRC in July and immediately dived into research, reviewing legal commentaries and engaging in detailed discussions to understand the complex legal issues at play. One of the most challenging aspects was interpreting Articles 25(3)(c) and 25(3)(d), which address the criminal liability of individuals who aid or abet crimes rather than directly commit them. The case also presented new and challenging topics like using AI in indiscriminate attacks and protecting hospitals under international laws that have yet to be fully explored in case law. While this added complexity to our task, it was also a great learning opportunity. I spent considerable time piecing together the facts, legal precedents, and nuanced arguments to construct a compelling case.

By early November, we had completed our written memorial and shifted focus to preparing for the oral arguments. At first, we practiced our arguments in Japanese, which helped us clarify the key points of our arguments. This phase was challenging since I struggled to articulate my points effectively during oral presentations. However, I gradually improved my delivery through repeated practice and became more comfortable responding to potential questions. Memorizing my arguments was another challenge. I did not fully commit them to memory until the night before the competition. Fortunately, thanks to the constructive feedback from Professor Fuji, my teammates, and members of our seminar, I was able to refine my arguments right up to the final presentation, which left me feeling much more confident.

On the day of the online preliminary round, December 1st, the defense team presented first and did a fantastic job, which helped calm our nerves. When it was my turn to present, I felt the weight of responsibility and a sense of determination. Although I relied on my notes occasionally to respond to the judges' questions, it was the first time we had managed to address every question from the judges. The time waiting for the results felt endless, but unfortunately, we did not advance to the semi-finals at Waseda University. Even so, I am very proud of our performance during the preliminary round. We gave it our all, and that was what mattered most.

A week later, I observed the final round at Waseda University and was blown away by the skill level of the participants. Their ability to answer tough questions with confidence and fluency was incredibly inspiring. Watching them made me realize the importance of understanding the intention behind the judge's questions—something I will strive to incorporate into my approach in future competitions. After the final round, I attended a reception where participants and judges exchanged feedback and experiences. It was a valuable opportunity to learn from others' perspectives and share our own. Reflecting on the competition, I realized there were several areas where I could improve: analyzing every detail of the scenario more thoroughly, crafting more apparent core arguments, backing claims with more substantial legal evidence, and delivering my points at a well-paced, confident rhythm.

I am deeply grateful to Professor Fujii for his guidance and my seminar members' unwavering support throughout this journey. Although we did not attend the semi-finals, this experience was enriching. The lessons I learned and the bonds we formed as a team will stay with me, and I am more motivated than ever to pursue a career in international legal advocacy.