Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has strongly affirmed Japan's commitment to protecting the International Criminal Court (ICC) from US efforts to undermine it. This declaration comes after the US imposed sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national, freezing any assets she holds in US jurisdictions or that pass through the US financial system. Takaichi stated that Japan considers the US sanctions "not compatible with its stance" and that her government had previously urged the United States against taking such measures, highlighting Japan's consistent support for the Hague-based institution.
Takaichi expressed her shared "sense of crisis and concern" with Akane and pledged continued "necessary support" for the ICC president. This stance is rooted in Japan's role as the largest financial contributor to the ICC, underscoring its commitment to upholding the rule of law. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi further confirmed that Japan is maintaining close contact with Akane, with Kazuhiko Nakamura, director-general of the Foreign Ministry’s International Legal Affairs Bureau, having met with her in the Netherlands.
The Japanese government's response, initially described as "very unfortunate," drew criticism from domestic lawmakers for being too weak. However, Takaichi later clarified that Japan's response was "not weak" and emphasized the nation's consistent support for the ICC, especially in prosecuting serious international crimes. The US sanctions are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against the ICC, triggered by investigations into alleged war crimes by US military personnel in Afghanistan and an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The sanctions on Akane and Senegalese senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called the ICC a "corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court." Rubio accused Akane and Seye of direct involvement in efforts to investigate and prosecute officials whose governments do not consent to the court's jurisdiction. Akane, a 70-year-old former prosecutor, began her three-year term as ICC president in March 2024 and was involved in issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023. With these latest measures, the US has now sanctioned nine of the ICC's 18 judges, including Akane.
Despite being a close US ally, Japan has maintained its commitment to international bodies. The Japanese government had previously expressed concern when the US announced its intention to dismantle what it perceived as a threat from the ICC. The current robust defense of the ICC by Prime Minister Takaichi signals Japan's resolve to uphold multilateral institutions and the rule of law, even when faced with pressure from its primary ally.
