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Tokyo opposes US sanctions on Japanese ICC chief

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Tokyo expressed strong disapproval of U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane, calling them "very unfortunate."
  • Japan, a major funder of the ICC, stated it consistently supports the court's efforts to uphold the rule of law.
  • The U.S. sanctions are largely a response to ICC investigations targeting Israel, a U.S. ally, including an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Japan has voiced strong opposition to the United States' imposition of sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national. Tokyo described the U.S. actions as "very unfortunate," emphasizing its consistent support for the ICC's role in prosecuting serious international crimes and upholding the rule of law.

From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate.

— Toshihiro KitamuraJapan's foreign ministry press secretary commenting on the U.S. sanctions against the ICC president.

"From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate," stated Toshihiro Kitamura, foreign ministry press secretary. Japan is a significant financial contributor to the ICC, though it is not a party to the treaty that established the court. The U.S., while a close ally of Japan, is also not a party to the Rome Statute that created the ICC.

have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.

— Marco RubioU.S. Secretary of State explaining the rationale behind the sanctions.

The sanctions, announced by the Donald Trump administration, target Akane and ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. The U.S. has characterized the ICC as a "corrupt and fatally politicised" body. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the sanctioned individuals "have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction."

undermine the rule of law.

— International Criminal CourtThe ICC's statement on the impact of U.S. sanctions.

The ICC responded by stating that U.S. sanctions "undermine the rule of law" and that "When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk." The sanctions, which bar individuals from entering the U.S. and conducting financial transactions, are largely seen as a reaction to ICC investigations into Israel, a key U.S. ally. This includes the 2024 arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the war in Gaza. Netanyahu applauded the U.S. sanctions, calling the ICC a "kangaroo court."

When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk.

— International Criminal CourtThe ICC's statement on the implications of U.S. sanctions.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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