—Could you tell us what sparked your interest in the field of "human rights" and why you chose to major Department of Human Rights?

When I was in junior high school, my interest in "human rights" began when I did a homestay in Thailand as part of the curriculum. While staying with a mountain tribe family and doing volunteer work, I was confronted with the local poverty problem. At university, I wanted to deepen my academic knowledge of this matter, so I enrolled in Department of Human Rights with the goal of learning a field-based approach from Professor Morimoto, who has deep insights as a journalist.

Komatsu: As I listened to my grandparents' stories about the war, I became acutely aware of how mercilessly collective violence and discrimination trampled on individual dignity, and I developed a strong desire for peace. I believed that understanding the fundamental structure of society was essential to deepening my own awareness of these issues, and that's when I came across Department of Human Rights Rights, the first department in Japan to have "human rights" in its name. The interdisciplinary curriculum that allowed me to pursue human rights issues from multiple perspectives was also very appealing.

--Let's talk about your actual learning experience. What were some of the most memorable things you experienced during your first and second years?

Toi"Public Policy Internship A One of my most memorable experiences was visiting the Numata Town Employment Support Center in Hokkaido as part of a practical training course. This center is a self-reliance support facility that provides vocational training to those released on parole from juvenile detention centers. While there, I had the opportunity to talk individually with the residents while harvesting tomatoes and other crops. Until then, I had preconceived notions about those released from juvenile detention centers. However, the people I actually met were close to my age and I realized they were young people with dreams, which gave me a great deal of insight. I also realized that the "laws and systems" I was studying at university were actually influencing people's lives. Furthermore, learning that there are various factors behind crime led me to question, "Why did they commit crimes? Doesn't society bear any responsibility?" From there, I developed a desire to "What can I do?" and "Learn more about the background of the problem," and I am currently volunteering to teach boys under home observation at the request of the family court.

What I remember most vividly is that the grade I received for a course I took in my second year was different from what I expected. I attended all the classes and submitted reports based on my own thoughts, so I think there was a discrepancy between what I understood from the lectures and what the professor wanted to convey to the students. In other words, I realized that I hadn't adequately conveyed objective perspectives and diversity in my reports. Issues surrounding human rights often involve differing opinions from person to person. Looking back now, I think this experience was an interesting result as a lesson that "there isn't just one right answer."
Another memorable experience was visiting a memorial for the Tokyo air raids in Tokyo during a "Modern History B" class. Until then, I had only learned about the war through media and videos, but seeing the memorial with my own eyes and experiencing the atmosphere that can only be felt on-site was a new learning experience.

—You joined a seminar (or seminar group) in your third year. Could you tell us your reasons for wanting to join a seminar?

Doi: I am currently studying in Professor Morimoto's seminar, fulfilling a wish I had since before entering university. I am currently studying "qualitative social research," which emphasizes individual interviews. I have always had a strong desire to convey the voices of those directly affected by social problems to society, and I believe that qualitative research methods, which involve deeply engaging with each individual, are the most suitable way to achieve this.

Komatsu: I originally enrolled Department of Human Rights because of my interest in peace, but I was so impressed by a documentary about the revitalization of a shuttered shopping street that I am now studying regional revitalization in Professor Mori's seminar. This is because I myself was born and raised in a shopping street and have personally witnessed the decline of my local shopping district. I chose this seminar because I wanted to learn theories and methods for regional revitalization in a specialized way.

Ishikawa: I am studying economics in Professor Sato's seminar. In my second year, I learned about cases of people who are in difficult situations because economic problems and human rights issues overlap. Through that experience, I came to think that in order to understand human rights more realistically, an economic perspective that encompasses the three elements of "people, goods, and money" is indispensable.

—What was the most memorable thing you learned in the seminar?

—Could you tell us about the distinctive features of studying in Department of Human Rights?

Doi: First of all, I think the density of the first-year curriculum is a major factor. In Department of Human Rights, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, the fields of study are broad and there are many assignments, so it was necessary to work hard at first. However, I feel that gaining foundational knowledge during this period made advanced learning much smoother. There were some areas in the required subjects that I had difficulty with, but learning the basics broadened my perspective considerably. For example, I was not good at mathematics, so I struggled with economics, but I realized that an economic perspective is essential when considering the root causes of social problems, and after that I started to study it more actively.

Komatsu: What I particularly appreciated was being able to learn about real-world human rights issues in real time. For example, the day after the "Former Eugenics Protection Law" was reported in the news, its background and problems were immediately discussed in class. Being able to discuss events happening in society in a timely manner made me feel that human rights issues were more relatable. There were also lectures by practicing lawyers and journalists, allowing us to learn from the firsthand accounts of experts.

At Ishikawa Department of Human Rights, there are many opportunities for discussion. Human rights issues often involve "questions without right answers," and problem-solving is often difficult, so there are always moments when discussions reach an impasse. Even then, we try to shift the discussion by asking ourselves, "How can we continue thinking without giving up here?" This has been both interesting and challenging. Sharing opinions with people who have different views can be difficult, but I think the good thing is that what I had taken for granted as "common sense" gradually becomes clearer.

Doi: I also think the discussion format was excellent. In human rights issues, solving one issue from one perspective can sometimes create new problems, and by persistently discussing these difficulties, I had the opportunity to become aware of the biases and unconscious violence within myself. Another good thing about discussions is that you can make new friends through communication.

Komatsu: When we engage in discussions about complex social issues, we often come to the realization that "it's ultimately impossible to solve this problem," and we feel powerless. However, I believe it's important not to give up thinking at that point, but to continue searching for "something small that we can do."

—Could you tell us about any changes you experienced before and after enrolling? Did your understanding of "human rights" change at all?

Previously, I viewed human rights as something that "should be protected if possible," and that their adherence was left to individual judgment. However, having learned about human rights systematically in the "International Covenant on Human Rights" class, and knowing that Japan has ratified the "International Covenant on Human Rights," I came to understand that human rights are "something that everyone must protect," guaranteed to all. Furthermore, learning about "human rights," a universally recognized and objective standard of judgment, allowed me to gain a logical basis for considering social issues in class.

Komatsu: I was able to deepen my understanding of complex and uncertain issues, such as the problems with shopping arcades and the issue of unifying management, by continuing to think about them despite my internal struggles. I also began to see the problems faced by shopping districts outside of my own as my own.
Previously, I perceived human rights issues as events far removed from everyday life, such as international conflicts or historical social movements, and limited to specific situations or individuals. However, I now understand that human rights issues are deeply intertwined with everyday life, including casual conversations and our immediate environment, and that they are partly caused by our own unconscious biases. Furthermore, I used to think that human rights issues such as "poverty" and "gender" were independent problems, but I now understand that in reality, multiple issues are intricately intertwined, amplifying discrimination and difficulties.

Through studying economics in depth in Professor Ishikawa 's seminar, I've come to understand how to link the two perspectives of economics and human rights. For example, I've started to think that by improving tax systems and economic support plans, we can also support the human rights of socially vulnerable people and create a better society. I've also developed an interest in the relationship between current events and stock prices, so I started using NISA myself and am now able to feel the movements of the economy firsthand.
For me, the biggest change over the past four years is that I've started thinking about human rights even in the smallest everyday moments. When I used to see only women, like my mother and grandmother, working at family gatherings, I didn't feel anything. But now I've come to realize that I'm taking this situation for granted. Also, I used to think of human rights as something the strong do to protect the weak, but now I believe that both sides are equal and that human rights are about respecting others.

—How do you plan to utilize what you've learned in Department of Human Rights in the future?

Doi: I want to work in the media, such as as a newspaper reporter, in the future to spread the idea that "human rights" are not for a select few, but "basic rights and the foundation of life that everyone possesses."

When I encounter Komatsu News or posts on social media, I will always be mindful of "whose perspective the information is being told from" and "whose perspective is missing." I will also constantly ask myself whether my own actions or societal stereotypes are creating barriers that cause suffering for minority groups.

Ishikawa: In the past, I often judged things based solely on hearsay before seeing them for myself, and I think I was prone to prejudice. However, I learned a great deal during my four years Department of Human Rights, and I was able to cultivate the ability to question what I had taken for granted as "common sense." I would like to continue to cherish that attitude in the future.

--Finally, do you have a message for those who are interested in Department of Human Rights?

For me, the biggest discovery in Department of Human Rights was that "human rights issues are closely connected to everyday life." This is also true of everyday issues such as women's rights within the family and the isolation of the elderly, as Ms. Ishikawa mentioned. I hope that people will realize that Department of Human Rights offers accessible learning opportunities that can be started from familiar interests.

Komatsu: As you study in this department, I would like you to cherish the imagination to recognize that "what is 'normal' for you may be different for someone else." I believe that the first step in solving major discrimination problems is this kind of small imagination in everyday life.

The Ishikawa Department of Human Rights offers many opportunities to deeply consider human connections and individual existence through the theme of human rights. We encourage anyone who has an interest in or questions about human relationships to enroll. You will have the opportunity to break down and understand various questions on your own, making it a meaningful learning environment for many people.