Since the existing international legal regime governing space weapons is inadequate, the international community is worried about the weaponization of outer space. This paper introduces the efforts and contributions in this regard made by the UN General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, the UN Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the UN Institute for Disarmament Research. It then analyzes several different approaches to solving the problem of weaponization of outer space, i.e. amendment of Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty, conclusion of a multilateral treaty on comprehensive prohibition of space weapons, and transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities. It concludes that a multilateral treaty on the prevention of weaponization of outer space with appropriate verification mechanism will be a final solution. At the present stage, a combination of various CBMs can also serve the purpose to prevent space weapons.
Since 1960, the international community has established a plenty of multilateral agreements on liability regime for ultra-hazardous activities, particularly in the area of international nuclear and space law. The liability regime of nuclear damage has imposed compensation exclusively on operators of nuclear installations whether private or State under strict liability principle of the international conventions. Moreover, new changes of international nuclear conventions following Chernobyl incident reflect a significant change of liability for nuclear accidents. Although there was similar incident, called Cosmos 954 case, with nuclear activity, international space law has not developed and remained ambiguous in certain respects, while imposing absolute liability on State actors. This paper, thus, studies whether States, alone, should be liable for all damage from space activities caused by private operator, similar to the liability scheme of international nuclear law. Moreover, vague term in international space law, for instance, damage and other relevant concepts such as space safety standard and international space organization have been taken into account by comparative approach with the terms of international nuclear law.
The necessity of Sustainable Development of Space Activities, which can be seen as a concept receiving some impression from Sustainable Development, has been actively debated over last decade. This paper examines the current status of the international regime of space activities by comparing the international regime of sustainable development and analyzing the norms and principles applied in the Draft Code of Conduct of Space Activities of the EU and the Long Term Sustainability of Space Activities. The paper concludes that the Space Traffic Management system should set the guiding principles for international space activities.
International cooperation in outer space affairs has always been considered vital to the development of space activities. Such cooperation happens in different levels and different areas. Regional cooperation is especially meaningful to the regions concerned. We have witnessed important developments of space cooperation in Asia in the last few years. However, the cooperation so far is largely limited to technological aspects. We urgently need to see the cooperation in promoting awareness of space law in this region. This article proposes that the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Space Law Center, modeling on the European Center for Space Law, could fill the gap and play an important role in the promotion and education of space law in Asia. Nevertheless, in view of the current situation in the region, we may need to adopt the second best approach, that is, to establish a section within the Asia- Pacific Space Cooperation Organization solely dealing with promoting regional cooperation for space law.
This paper argues that what Van Vollenhoven did in dealing with adat law was in fact part and parcel of the colonial policy to exploit the colony for the benefit of the Dutch and had nothing to do with being‘ a good Samaritan’by saving‘ the other’ legal culture. What he did also was mainly triggered by what I refer to as cultural anxiety. His campaign to promote adat law was intensified by his fear of the rise of Islamic identity that would be used as a rebellious ideology by the people of Indonesia to fight against the Dutch. Furthermore, I argue that Van Vollenhoven’s intellectual background, heavily influenced by European legal romanticism, had intensified his advocacy to promote adat law in Indonesia.
The countries in East Asia continue to have problems in maritime boundary delimitation. The collision on September 7, 2010 between a Chinese fishing vessel (Minjinyu) and a Japanese patrol boat in the waters near Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands is interesting to observe as a step in dispute settlement process. The differences between the PRC and Japan on maritime boundary delimitation for the East China Sea and the legal status of Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands are demonstrated by this incident. To see things in their context, it is necessary to observe the practices of East Asian countries in handling their maritime boundary delimitations, especially those involving islands with disputed legal status. The rules of international law relating to the pacific settlement of dispute and maritime delimitation dispute resolution, which involve a preliminary sovereignty dispute over islands, are also relevant as a much broader background. The author will examine why certain maritime delimitation cases are particularly hard to handle. The lessons drawn from this paper is inspiring for Taiwan, a long-time marginalized player in East Asian regional affairs. The author will examine the difficulties and opportunities for Taiwan in maritime boundary delimitation and offer a suggestion on how to accomplish such task with neighboring countries.
While a broad consensus exists over the necessity of reforming the Security Council, the disagreement among the different groups of member States prevails in great part due to the enlargement and category of membership and the working methods. Such divergence in views attributed to the stalemate in the debate over the Security Council’s reform. However, the recent discussion has gained momentum since the launch of the intergovernmental negotiation at the UN level. The key issues surrounding the UN Security Reform include the size of an enlarged Council, categories of membership with proper regional representation, the veto, working methods and relations with the General Assembly. It is essential not only to properly assess the content of the different proposals to bring out the most‘ sensible’solution, but the attitude of the five permanent members should also be closely examined. In any case, the potential changes in the structure of the Security Council would ultimately require a unanimous decision of the 5P States. This article aims to review the historical development of the Security Council’s reform debate and concentrate on the most contentious questions by analyzing the content of the relevant proposals to test the feasibility of each option.
In May 2010 Australia commenced litigation against Japan in the International Court of Justice over the legality of Japanese scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean. This article considers the background to the litigation, the basis of Australia’s opposition to whaling, and the grounds upon which Australia is mounting its challenge. The interpretation of the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and the operation of the International Whaling Commission are considered in light of the precautionary principle. The article concludes that Australia’s success depends upon a broad reading of the Convention that takes into account its objects and purposes, as well as wider developments in international law. Any guidance that the International Court of Justice can provide on the modern interpretation of this now dated Convention is to be welcomed.
Australia instituted proceedings against Japan before the International Court of Justice alleging that the JARPA II is violating the obligation of ICRW which prohibits the commercial whaling. Japan is strongly protesting against Australia arguing that the JARPA II has been carried out only for research whaling. This paper contains the Japan’s position over the whaling in the South Pacific. The Japan’s arguments are divided into two sections in this paper. First, it will check if whales are truly vulnerable following the Comprehensive Assessment of the IWC. Second, it argues the legitimacy of the JARPA II under international law.