Sanctioned international court president says she asked Japan to help de-escalate tensions with US

Tokyo (AP) — The president of the International Criminal Court, Tomoko Akane, declared on Wednesday that there is no justification for her to face U.S. sanctions. She further urged Japan's government to collaborate with Washington in order to prevent tensions from escalating further. Last week, Akane became the latest court member to be sanctioned by the U.S., which freezes any assets they hold in American jurisdictions.

This restriction also prevents court officials and their families from entering the United States and blocks their access to essential financial services. The U.S. accuses the court of exceeding its mandate and has sanctioned about a dozen staff members in retaliation for investigations into Israeli officials in Gaza and U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan.

So far, nine out of the ICC's 18 judges have been sanctioned, including two deputy prosecutors, the former chief prosecutor, and one other prosecution office staffer. Despite the "unreasonable inconvenience and threat" to her personally, such as having her credit cards suspended, Akane remains determined to safeguard the ICC, its judges, and staff, as well as continue the court's operations.

She emphasized that the ICC will not be defeated and that justice will prevail. Akane appealed to Japan, a U.S. ally that consistently prioritizes the rule of law in its diplomacy, to persuade Washington not to exacerbate the situation. She called on Japan to stand alongside other ICC members and resist succumbing to U.S. pressure to withdraw.

"The ICC is the last hope for the victims of serious international crimes," she stated. "I would like Japan to do everything it can to defend the ICC and the rule of law in global society." Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been grappling with the challenge of balancing Japan's commitment to the rule of law and its relationships with the U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Takaichi told reporters that the U.S. sanctions against Akane run counter to Japan's stance and expressed concern. She vowed to provide necessary support and rejected criticism, even from within her own party, that she has been too hesitant to confront Trump. Japan has repeatedly urged the U.S. not to impose sanctions against Akane.

On Monday, a coalition of ruling and opposition lawmakers endorsed a statement denouncing the Trump administration for sanctioning the ICC chief and called for the action to be reversed. They urged Takaichi's government to adopt more robust measures. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also stated on Tuesday that his ministry had dispatched an official to The Hague to meet with Akane and discuss ways the government can support her.

The U.S. stance against the ICC is described as "extremely severe," with Motegi adding that Washington has hinted at the potential for additional sanctions. Japan formally joined the ICC in 2007 under the previous administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.