Masashi Nakayama

International Law, International Organizations, Peace Studies

International Constitutionalism and International Law, the United Nations and Human Security

Nakayama's seminar aims to develop and produce global talent with a global perspective who will play an active role in Japan and the world under the theme of "SDGs and Human Security - From the Perspective of International Law and Peace Studies". The seminar started with the 23rd class of Soka University, and has over 500 alumni. Many of the seminar students have won awards such as the Founder's Award, Da Vinci Award, and Schliemann Award, and many of the seminar students have participated as representatives in various international conferences, including the Girls20 Summit in 2015 and 2017, an international conference that brings together young women representatives from each of the G20 countries.

In addition, our seminar students have gone on to a wide variety of career paths, including as diplomats, UN staff, global companies, graduate schools both in Japan and overseas, lawyers, prosecutors, professors at national universities and overseas universities, civil servants, politicians, teachers, NGO staff, headquarters staff, and even doctors.
 

The appeal of human security and international law
In this seminar, we will consider and examine the various issues surrounding "peace" with the key concept of the SDGs, which have been attracting attention in the international community in recent years, and the underlying concept of "human security." We will also consider the possibilities and challenges of building a 21st century world order (global governance) based on human dignity, human rights, and humanity. Since the end of the Cold War, the number of situations in which humans are exposed to danger has increased and become more serious due to various new threats such as civil wars, terrorism, poverty, infectious diseases, and global environmental issues. "Human security" emerged as the very nature of security was questioned, and the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) were adopted by the United Nations in September 2015, setting the concept as a concrete goal. In this seminar, we will use the SDGs as a material to consider how to achieve "peace" that is consistent with "human security."

International law is an important tool for achieving this goal. As the law of the international community that regulates relations between sovereign states, it has played an important role in realizing peace through law, including the regulation of military force, conflict resolution, international protection of human rights, and protection of the global environment. It has also played a major role in issues of order and justice in the international community through the adjustment of interests between nations and the realization of common interests. In particular, in today's international relations, where nationalism and "peace through strength" are prominent, the question of how to realize "peace through law" is being asked once again.

Some people may have the impression that international law is difficult, but it is a very fascinating and interesting subject.

First, international law is dynamic. In other words, the scope of international law is extremely broad, both geographically and in terms of fields. International law determines the rules of the seas, the skies, and even outer space.

Secondly, it is related to various global issues and peace problems, such as conflict resolution, human rights, refugees, global environmental issues, terrorism, and war crimes. I am concerned about how international law can contribute to these issues. In other words, international law is essential when considering the realization of peace through the "rule of law."

Thirdly, international law can be said to be immature in terms of universality and effectiveness compared to domestic law, but this is due to the difference in the structure of domestic society and international society. In other words, it is a law that continues to grow precisely because it is immature, and it is through international law that we can see the world.

In this seminar, we will consider the progress and actions of the international community since the modern era, and consider global issues surrounding "peace," "human rights," "development," and "the environment," focusing on actors such as nations, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, and corporations, in order to think about a peaceful order for the 21st century that is in keeping with human dignity.
 

Special topics in international law, International organizations, Human security, Human security workshop, Human security fieldwork, Thematic seminars, GCP tutorials

"SDGs and Human Security: From the Perspective of International Law and Peace Studies"

Skills you want to acquire in the seminar
The skills and goals we hope you will acquire through this seminar are as follows:
Acquire a wide range of knowledge and understand world issues through the study of international law and peace issues.
Problem-finding ability, research ability, problem analysis and solving ability
Presentation and paper writing skills
Discussion skills
Communication and teamwork skills
To acquire these skills, students will conduct research in three units: whole class, group, and individual, with LTD (Learning Through Discussion) study, taking part in an external contest (University Consortium Hachioji Student Presentation) (third year), and writing a graduation thesis (fourth year) as the main tools (goals).

A seminar is a community of knowledge where students with the same interests gather under a professor who is dedicated to research in a particular field, and experience the depth and fascination of academics through thorough intellectual exploration. It is also a place where students in the seminar and between students and faculty can build lifelong friendships and memories through personal interactions. In that sense, seminars can be said to be the highlight of university life. We warmly welcome all motivated students.

• 1983 Graduated from Soka University Faculty of Law
• 1986 Completed master's program at the same university's Graduate Graduate School of Law
• After working as an assistant professor Institute for the Comparative Study of Cultures, Lecturer in the Japanese language department, a visiting Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, and a Adjunct Faculty at ICU (International Christian University), he became Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Law in 1994.
• 1998-2000 Vice Student Affairs Office
• 2000-2001 Visiting Scholar at Harvard University
• 2003 Professor Faculty of Law
• 2006-2010 Assistant Dean
• 2010-2014 Director of the National Examination Research Laboratory
• 2019-2020 Assistant Director of the Admissions Center
• 2020- Admissions Director
  Other: President, Toda Memorial International Peace Research Institute; Commissioned Researcher, Institute of Oriental Philosophy

Japan Association of International Law, World Law Association, Japan Association for United Nations Studies, Japan Association for Peace Studies, Japan Society for Human Security Studies, Japan Association of Asian Associations of International Law

Publications: "Introduction to the United Nations: Peace and Security from the Perspective of Ideals and the Field" (Chikuma Shobo), "Peace Studies Aiming for Global Citizenship" and "What are Human Rights?" (Daisanbunmeisha) (all co-authored)

Translated book: "Global Political City" (Ushio Publishing)

Articles: "Humanitarian Intervention and the Challenges of the United Nations," "The Intersection of State and Human Security Regarding Nuclear Abolition," "The Draft World Constitution and the Current State of Human Rights Protection," "Human Security and International Law - With a Focus on the Theory of the Responsibility to Protect," "70 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Reading the Dialogue between Ikeda and Atayde"

It's been a while since I was a Faculty of Law student, but I studied on the Soka University campus and have many fond memories of my youth. For what purpose should one cultivate wisdom? May you always ask yourself this question! Whenever I got stuck, I tried my best, asking myself the words of the founder of Soka University, who is depicted in this bronze statue. What is the purpose of coming to Soka University and what is the purpose of studying here? First of all, I would like to say that I hope that you will never forget your original intention, your dreams and ideals. The university is truly the stage on which you will realize your dreams.

Please cherish this day and live it to the fullest in your own way. There is a saying, "Eyes on the world, feet on the ground. The realization of your ideals is only possible through the accumulation of daily, steady efforts. It is important to continue to make steady efforts while gazing into the distance. Studying may be simple and hard work, but it is very enjoyable and is a passport to open your eyes to yourself and the world, and to contribute to peace among people and the world. I hope you will devote yourself to learning and improving yourself during these four years.

Another guiding principle of the Bronze Statue is "Life is worth living only through toil and mission. Especially in your youth, you may face many troubles and difficulties. However, these are great seeds and treasures for growth. Winning is important, but not losing is more important. Keep challenging yourself with the "spirit of defeat. If you do so, your dreams will surely come true. I sincerely wish you all good luck and victory.