Associate Professor of Philosophy of Law

Hirono Ikeda

What is justice?

What kind of society is a “just society?” I examine this question by using specific legal systems as materials for analysis. Some people may think that “the definition of a just society differs according to the person.” Of course, I also examine whether or not justice is truly something that is subjectively defined.

Gender, sexuality, and law

My research theme places particular focus on legal systems related to gender (the male/female dichotomy) and sexuality (sexual desire and behavior). For example, today in Japan, people of the same gender are not able to get legally married. Furthermore, although it is possible to legally change one’s own gender, Japanese laws place extremely strict conditions on that change. The overwhelming majority of the Diet members who debate these laws are “men.” Do these circumstances truly constitute justice?

Facts and imagination

Response may be fiercely divided on whether or not these circumstances are just. Even so, we can steadily approach a “just society” by carefully considering factual relationships which are prerequisites and by imaging to the greatest possible extent the positions of people different from yourself during discussions. I hope that my research will serve as a stepping point toward a just society.