Japan protests Russia's extradition requests for ICC president Tomoko Akane and 8 other court staff

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan vehemently objected to Russia's request for the extradition of the International Criminal Court's president, a Japanese citizen, and eight other ICC officials. This came after Russia issued arrest warrants for the nine individuals in connection with ICC sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin for his role in the Ukraine war.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki condemned the extradition requests, calling them unjust and unacceptable. He stated that Japan would respond appropriately, including lodging further protests. Moscow's Prosecutor General's Office submitted the extradition requests to the Netherlands and several other nations on Thursday, accusing the ICC of issuing baseless arrest warrants without evidence.

Japan's relations with Russia have deteriorated since Putin visited a disputed Pacific island chain in August, a border dispute that has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty ending their post-World War II conflict. Japan has been grappling with the challenge of supporting the ICC while maintaining ties with the U.S., which has called for the tribunal to be dismantled due to its investigations into the U.S. and its allies, including Israel.

The U.S. responded to the extradition requests by imposing new sanctions on the ICC, joining earlier measures targeting ICC President Tomoko Akane and about a dozen other court staff. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended Japan's stance on the ICC and the rule of law, criticizing the U.S. sanctions as incompatible with Japan's consistent position.

Takaichi pledged to continue engaging with the U.S. while providing support to the ICC to enable it to operate and fulfill its mandate. The new sanctions restrict access to U.S.-based financial services, technology companies, and the use of U.S. dollars for the ICC, giving U.S. entities six months to discontinue their business with the court.