ICC President Tomoko Akane Calls on Japan to Resist US Pressure and Safeguard the Court's Future

Japanese Judge Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has urged Tokyo to support the institution during a critical moment. Speaking via video link to reporters in Tokyo, the ICC president asked Japan—the court's largest financial contributor—to help counter ongoing efforts by the United States to pressure member nations into withdrawing.

“Japan has long made the rule of law a cornerstone of its diplomacy. Consequently, both I and the international community hold high expectations for Japan,” stated Akane. She further emphasized the need for Japan to assist neighboring countries that are ICC members to ensure they resist the new US campaign and maintain their membership.

The administration of US President Donald Trump recently intensified its opposition to the Hague-based court by imposing sanctions on Akane and a senior trial lawyer. Washington has pledged to encourage other nations to leave the institution, a move that has already prompted at least five countries to withdraw.

While Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially labeled the US actions as “very unfortunate,” she has faced considerable criticism from opposition politicians, human rights organizations, and members of her own party for failing to offer a more robust defense of the court.

The ICC, founded in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, does not count the United States as a member. Tensions escalated following the court's move to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside previous investigations into US military personnel in Afghanistan.

Akane suggested that Japan, which became an ICC member in 2007, should utilize its close diplomatic relationship with the US to discourage Washington from escalating hostilities further. Emphasizing that this situation serves as a vital test for the international community, she noted that Japan's decisive support is essential for the ICC's continued survival.