Tokyo opposes US sanctions on Japanese ICC chief Akane

Tokyo has voiced its disapproval of the United States imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, describing Washington's move as "very unfortunate." The sanctions, imposed on Akane and ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, are part of the US campaign against the ICC, which the administration labels as "corrupt and fatally politicized."

Japan, the largest contributor to the ICC and a close ally of the US, consistently backs the court in its mission to prosecute serious crimes and uphold the rule of law. Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura emphasized this stance, deeming the sanctions unfortunate from Japan's perspective.

Japan, a significant funder of the ICC, finds itself in a predicament as it is a close ally of the United States, which is not a party to the treaty that established the court. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctioned individuals have engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials who have not consented to the ICC's jurisdiction. The ICC responded by asserting that the US sanctions undermine the rule of law and undermine the international legal order.

The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals accused of the most severe atrocities and serves as a final resort when countries lack adequate legal systems for accountability. The US has previously imposed sanctions on several ICC officials, prohibiting them from entering the US and conducting transactions within the US financial system. This measure is largely a response to ICC investigations targeting Israel, a key US ally.

In 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his support for the US sanctions, criticizing the ICC as a "kangaroo court" that abuses power in the name of international law. The Netherlands, where the ICC is based in The Hague, disapproves of the latest sanctions against the court's officials and staff, emphasizing the need for international courts to operate freely.

The US has been actively campaigning against the ICC, accusing it of threatening American interests and calling for partners to withdraw from the body. Chad and Venezuela have already followed suit, aligning with the US stance. The Trump administration has repeatedly stated its opposition to the ICC, labeling it a corrupt and politicized supranational court that abuses its authority and exceeds its mandate.

In response to the sanctions, four human rights groups filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump in a New York court, alleging that the measures prevent victims of war crimes from seeking justice.