Atsuko Kanehara
She is a graduate of the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law
She is former President of the Japanese Society of International Law
Her Principal Social Activities (International & Domestic) Based upon Her Expertise
Member of the Governing Board of IMO International Maritime Law Institute
Advocate for the Government of Japan in “Southern Bluefin Tuna” Cases
Counsel for the Government of Japan in “Whaling in the Antarctic” Case
Member of Compass Voice – External Expert Network of the Japan Coast Guard
Former Councilor of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy of Japan (Appointed by Prime Minister, Government of Japan)
Member of the Committee on Submarine Cables and Pipelines under the International Law Association
Lectures at The Hague Academy
She delivered lectures at The Hague Academy of International Law in 2017, entitled “Reassessment of the Acts of the State in the Law of State Responsibility―A Proposal of an Integrative Theoretical Flamework of the Law of State Responsibility to Effectively Cope with the Internationally Harmful Acts of Non-State Actors,” which was published in Recueils des cours, Vol. 399 (2019).
Her Recent Publications Include:
Atsuko Kanehara and Masaharu Yanagihara eds., Japan’s Territory Under International Law
“The Arguments Based on ‘Law’ in Territorial Disputes,” Chapter 5
“The Protection of Submarine Cables and Pipelines in Armed Conflict in the Indo-Pacific,” in Douglas Guilfoyle and Jennifer Maddocks eds., Armed Conflict and International Law in the Indo-Pacific Region, Chapter 8
”Great Powers for ‘Global’ Peace and Order,” in Maria Gavouneli, Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, and Panayotis Tsakonas eds., The Treaty of Lausanne – Looking Back, Looking Ahead, Chapter 7
“Challenges of the BBNJ Agreement: from the Perspective of Japan’s Ratification
https://cigs.canon/en/article/20260206_9681.html
・“Manila Dialogue Presentation Report: The Rule of Law and the Functions and Duties of Law Enforcement Agencies,”
https://cigs.canon/en/uploads/2025/12/kanehara_report_manila25110507.pdf
・”Urgently Advocating a Precise Understanding of the Principle of Proportionality: From the Perspective of the Inherent Situation of the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force,”
https://cigs.canon/en/article/20251029_9345.html
・“The Houthi Rebels’ Attack against Japan-Related Vessel in the Red Sea: An Idea of ‘the Right to Protect Uses of Sea’”,
https://cigs.canon/en/article/20241224_8535.html
・”Double Aspects of Being a Sovereign State: Positive and Passive Aspects,”
https://cigs.canon/en/article/20240611_8159.html
・“How to Ensure the Safety of the Japan Coast Guard While Maintaining Its Nature as A Police Organ When It Conducts Missions in Collaboration with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force under the Control Guidelines,” Japan Review, Vol 6, No. 2 (2024), https://www.jiia.or.jp/eng/upload/eng/05JapanReview_Vol6_No2_Atsuko%20Kanehara.pdf
・“Significance of the BBNJ Agreement from the Perspective of the Historical Development of the Law of the Sea”
https://cigs.canon/en/article/20240510_8077.html