On June 29, a public lecture titled “Legal and Political Issues Explained for High School Students” was held at the Kanazawa Student Community Exchange Center. A total of 24 participants, ranging in age from high school students to citizens in their 80s, attended the event.
The first lecture was delivered by Professor Hiroshi Okada from the Faculty of Law, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, titled “Considering the Significance and Limitations of Elections.” Drawing on the results of a nationwide public opinion survey conducted after last year’s House of Representatives election, he discussed the limitations of elections and how they might be overcome, using the arguments of Adam Przeworski, author of Why Bother with Elections?, as a key reference.
The second lecture, titled “Closing the Gaps in the Electoral System,” was delivered by Professor Koji Higashikawa from the Faculty of Law, Institute of Human and Social Sciences. He explained the development of universal suffrage through three key pillars: human rights philosophy, legitimacy, and diversity. While introducing electoral practices in both Japan and the United States, he examined whether the current system is truly sufficient.
Participants shared their impressions, saying, “Topics like online voting, civil rights holidays, and voter turnout issues were engaging and interesting,” and “As someone turning 18 this year, I found it particularly relevant and thought-provoking.”
Instructors: Professor Hiroshi Okada from the Faculty of Law, Institute of Human and Social Sciences
Professor Koji Higashikawa from the Faculty of Law, Institute of Human and Social Sciences
* Click here for details and registration for Kanazawa University public lectures.
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Professor Okada giving a lecture -
Professor Higashikawa giving a lecture
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