Japan Protests Russia’s Extradition Requests for ICC President Tomoko Akane and 8 Other Court Staff

Japan strongly condemned Russia's request to the Netherlands to extradite the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and eight other ICC officials. The extradition requests followed Moscow issuing arrest warrants for the nine individuals in response to the ICC's 2023 warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the war in Ukraine.

The ICC's president, Tomoko Akane, is a Japanese national. Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Masanao Ozaki, expressed Tokyo's protest in communication with Moscow, stating that measures targeting ICC staff are unjust and unacceptable. Japan vowed to respond appropriately, potentially including additional protests. The ongoing tensions between Japan and Russia escalated after Putin visited a Pacific Island chain claimed by Japan in August, a dispute stemming from World War II.

Japan's support for the ICC and the rule of law has been challenged by the United States, which recently imposed new sanctions on the tribunal, cutting it off from U.S.-based financial services, technology companies, and the use of U.S. dollars.