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Japan will ‘protect’ ICC from US push to dismantle, says PM Sanae Takaichi

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Japan will defend the International Criminal Court (ICC) against US pressure, according to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
  • The US has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane, which Japan views as an escalation of attacks on the court.
  • Japan, a major financial contributor, considers the ICC a crucial institution and will continue to support Akane and make representations to the US.

Japan intends to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) from escalating pressure by the United States, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced. The recent US decision to sanction ICC President Tomoko Akane has prompted a strong response from Tokyo, which views the move as a significant attack on the institution.

As the largest financial contributor to the ICC, we must protect this important institution.

— Prime Minister Sanae TakaichiPrime Minister Takaichi's statement on Japan's commitment to defending the ICC.

"As the largest financial contributor to the ICC, we must protect this important institution," Takaichi stated, expressing a "sense of crisis" shared with President Akane. Japan had repeatedly urged the US at various levels not to impose sanctions on Akane, who is now barred from the US financial system and travel to the United States.

We repeatedly approached the US at various levels, right up until the last possible moment, urging it not to designate President Akane for sanctions.

— Prime Minister Sanae TakaichiPrime Minister Takaichi detailing Japan's efforts to dissuade the US from sanctioning the ICC President.

The US sanctions against Akane and a senior trial lawyer mark the latest in Washington's campaign against the ICC. The US claims the court has unfairly targeted American and Israeli officials, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling the ICC a "corrupt and fatally politicised supranational court." Rubio further threatened measures to "systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty."

The court is “a corrupt and fatally politicised supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate.

— Secretary of State Marco RubioUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio's critical assessment of the ICC.

This friction between Japan and the US over the ICC represents a rare public disagreement between the close allies. Takaichi indicated that Tokyo would consider further representations to the US. Her stronger stance follows criticism from within Japan, including from a multiparty group of lawmakers who called for a clearer protest against the US actions. The US, under former President Donald Trump, has previously sanctioned ICC officials and, more recently, the Biden administration rejected the court's authority after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.

— Secretary of State Marco RubioUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio's threat regarding future US actions against the ICC.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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