ICC chief vows to resist US pressure after sanctions

Tokyo (Kyodo) — In a strongly worded statement, the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Tomoko Akane, vowed on Wednesday to stand firm against U.S. sanctions targeting her and the Hague-based judicial institution amid mounting pressure from Washington. "I have no reason to incur (U.S.) sanctions," Akane said during a live online press conference.

"I will resist any adverse consequences." The Trump administration has taken a hostile stance toward the ICC over its investigations, including those into alleged war crimes by U.S. service members. Akane called on member states, including her home country of Japan, to continue supporting the court. Japan was the ICC's largest financial contributor in 2025.

European nations and the United Nations have condemned the sanctions against the ICC judges. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had initially responded with a statement saying she was "very unfortunate," drawing criticism for Japan's perceived weak response. However, Takaichi later affirmed that the sanctions are "incompatible with Japan's position of placing importance on the rule of law" and that the government was taking the matter "very seriously."

Akane emphasized that the sanctions would not alter her commitment to judicial duties or her approach to threats. She further urged Japan to dissuade countries contemplating withdrawal from the ICC under U.S. pressure from doing so and to encourage them to stand together. The ICC, established under the Rome Statute in 2002, is the world's first permanent international criminal tribunal to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other grave offenses.

Currently, the court has 125 member states, though the United States, Russia, and China are not among them. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Akane stressed that sanctions against the court should not be perceived as a problem solely for the ICC but as a crisis for the rule of law, urging Japan to maintain dialogue with the United States and work towards preventing further escalation of U.S. actions.