Japan criticises U.S. over 'unfortunate' sanctions on ICC

In a rare display of criticism towards its key ally, Japan has condemned the United States' decision to impose sanctions on the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Japanese judge Tomoko Akane, and a senior prosecutor. Tokyo officially described the move as "very unfortunate."

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Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.

The U.S. sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, target Akane and Abdoulaye Seye, a Senegalese lawyer involved in the prosecution team that sought an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This action places the U.S. at odds with Japan, a nation that has been a consistent supporter of the ICC since joining in 2007.

Japan's foreign ministry issued a statement emphasizing its unwavering support for the ICC's mission to prosecute and punish the world's most serious crimes. The U.S. campaign against the Hague-based court, established in 2002, has also strained relations with European allies, including the Netherlands, which hosts the court.

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very unfortunate.

Judge Akane had previously warned that such U.S. sanctions could severely undermine the court's operations and jeopardize its existence. The measures imposed by Washington freeze any U.S. assets held by the sanctioned individuals and largely restrict their access to the U.S. financial system, a move that impacts most international banks.

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U.S. sanctions could “rapidly undermine the court’s operations in all situations and cases and jeopardize its very existence.