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.

Summer Internship Report

M1 WANG YUXUAN

During the summer vacation, I returned to China from Japan to participate in an internship. My brief yet enriching internship experience at the editorial department of Xinhua News Agency from August 16th to September 20th this year has ended. During this period, my primary responsibilities included:

• Assisting editors in collecting local news in China.

• Proposing story ideas.

• Editing content according to departmental publishing standards for publication on Japanese platforms.

  
  

Throughout this internship, I gained valuable insights into the fundamentals of news writing. I learned the importance of clarity and precision in journalism and developed good work habits that I plan to carry forward in my career. I am immensely grateful for the guidance and support from my supervisors, whose constructive feedback has been invaluable to my growth.

However, I also recognized several areas for improvement. Firstly, my Japanese writing skills could have been more polished, and I realized that my vocabulary for specialized topics was limited. I also needed help finding suitable materials efficiently within a short timeframe.

I am committed to enhancing my skills and knowledge in these areas. I plan to focus on expanding my vocabulary and improving my writing proficiency. I aim to apply the lessons learned during this internship to my future studies and endeavors, continually striving to increase my efficiency and overall capabilities.

In conclusion, this internship has been a significant step in my professional development, and I look forward to using this experience as a foundation for my future pursuits.