Mayumi Shimura

Education

• Ph.D. in the field of Advanced Social and International Studies, University of Tokyo
• M.Sc. in International Relations Theory, London School of Economics and Political Science
• M.A. in the field of Advanced Social and International Studies, University of Tokyo

Message to Students

Ritsumeikan University's founding ideals are "freedom and innovation," and its core educational philosophy is "peace and democracy." So, what do we mean by "freedom"? What about "innovation"? What are the prerequisites for "peace"? And what about "democracy"? In today's increasingly globalized world, people often have deeply conflicting views on these concepts. Especially at university, particularly at GLA, I hope all of you will cultivate the ability to deeply question the background of these conflicts. In your future study of "Liberal Arts," I also want to do my part to support you. I look forward to meeting you all.

Courses Taught

Introduction to International Relations

International Relations (IR) is the study of interactions and relationships of nation-states with each other and with other entities (such as private companies, subnational actors, non-governmental organizations, and inter-governmental institutions). These interactions and relationships are both created in and creating a world/global political order which is often referred to as the “interstate system” or “international society/community”. International relations as an everyday practice has many dimensions: historical, political, economic, legal, cultural, social, psychological, and so on. Therefore, it is natural that IR as the field of study consists of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary approaches. Throughout this course, the students will be introduced with key concepts, dominant theories, basic analytical frameworks, and controversial topics in IR as a multiplex discipline.

Research Interests

My research interest lies in the intersection of international politics, international law, and peace studies. The current research focuses on the international political impact of legal justification of the use of force by great powers on their coercive diplomacy, the political dynamics of humanitarian crises and “humanitarian interventions,” and the ideational power of middle- or smaller-states in constructing the international society / community.

Supervision Information

I am happy to supervise students who want to explore topics related to war, peace, national security, and human security within the framework of International Politics, or broadly International Relations. If you are interested in the issues in the intersection of international politics and international law, my guidance would extend to International Law, Peace Studies, and International Organization Studies (including UN studies), as well as International Politics. Topics of interest may include why wars occur, whether peace can be defined in the absence of war, the role of the UN in issues of war and peace, how international law regulates war, what collective security entails, and what constitutes "humanitarian intervention."

Representative Publications

• Shimura, M. 2024 (forthcoming). “How Middle- and Smaller-Power States Deal with the Expanding Legal Justifications for the Use of Force: Their Use of the ‘Unwilling or Unable’ Standard,” Kokurenkenkyu (United Nations Studies) 25. Written in Japanese.
• Shimura, M. 2024. “The Shifting and Diversifying Legal Bases of the Use of Force in Libya: From Civilian Protection to Counter-Terrorism,” Heiwakenkyu (Peace Studies) 61, pp. 81-105. Written in Japanese. Abstract in English available.
• Shimura, M. 2016. “A State’s Ability and Willingness to Fulfill the Responsibility to Protect Its People: The International Community Facing the Syrian Humanitarian Crisis,” Heiwakenkyu (Peace Studies) 47, pp. 105-121. Written in Japanese. Abstract in English available.
• Shimura, M. 2014. “The Contested Interpretations of the Emerging Norm of the Responsibility to Protect: Politics of the Principle of Complementarity and the Principle of Necessity,” Kokusaiseiji (International Relations) 176, pp. 57-69. Written in Japanese. Abstract in English available.