This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Japanese Political Thought — most prominently associated with Masao Maruyama — to re-read the Hokkaido IGF 2023 Sapporo conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.
Introduction: The Problem
Maruyama analyzed Japan's modernity as a "system of irresponsibility." Analyzing Hokkaido IGF's decision structures from this angle reveals the responsibility-avoidance mechanisms latent in multistakeholder discourse.
This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Hokkaido IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of System of irresponsibility and prototype, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.
System of irresponsibility in digital decisions
In many societies — not just Japan — technical issues get dispersed to "experts," political ones to "government," social ones to "civil society," producing a structure where no one bears responsibility. Maruyaman subject formation demands subjectivizing this dispersion.
Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Masao Maruyama-type problematic.
The national-level IGF (Hokkaido IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.
Critique of substratum for subject formation
Masao Maruyama's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2023 conference. We examine that application below.
1. Application to "北海道"
Discussion of "北海道" can be positioned, from the perspective of Masao Maruyama's System of irresponsibility and prototype, as a central problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 北海道 are particularly at stake.
2. Application to "地方ICT"
Discussion of "地方ICT" can be positioned, from the perspective of Masao Maruyama's System of irresponsibility and prototype, as a derivative problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 地方ICT are particularly at stake.
3. Application to "観光×デジタル"
Discussion of "観光×デジタル" can be positioned, from the perspective of Masao Maruyama's System of irresponsibility and prototype, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 観光×デジタル are particularly at stake.
4. Application to "国内法整備"
Discussion of "国内法整備" can be positioned, from the perspective of Masao Maruyama's System of irresponsibility and prototype, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国内法整備 are particularly at stake.
5. Application to "政府＋民間協働"
Discussion of "政府＋民間協働" can be positioned, from the perspective of Masao Maruyama's System of irresponsibility and prototype, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 政府＋民間協働 are particularly at stake.
Implications for Executives and Practitioners
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Masao Maruyama perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Japan.
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of System of irresponsibility and prototype. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.
Academic Positioning and Future Research
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.
- Verification of the applicability of Masao Maruyama's framework to other IGF conferences
- Comparative contrast between Japanese Political Thought and other theoretical traditions
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Japan
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.
Primary Sources
- IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Hokkaido IGF.
- Hokkaido IGF 2023 Sapporo Conference Materials.
- Japan IGF Support Organization. https://japanigf.jp/
- Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/
Secondary Sources (Philosophy)
- Works of Masao Maruyama (representative texts of Japanese Political Thought)
*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*
更新履歴
第1稿投稿 2026年6月1日 20時50分（記事コンテンツアップ）
— 中澤祐樹
