Former students voice support for US sanction-hit ICC chief Akane

Former students have expressed their backing for International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, despite the U.S. imposing sanctions on her in August. Akane, who was sanctioned for the ICC's perceived encroachment on state sovereignty, taught at Nagoya University Graduate School of Law and served as a prosecutor in the region. Some of her former students, now attorneys, have formed the Japan International Rule of Law (JIRoL) network, which supports the ICC.

Yosuke Shamoto, a 45-year-old lawyer and Akane's student, stated that she remained friendly and dedicated to her work, unaltered from their time together. Despite leaving the graduate school, Akane continued to engage with students, inviting those uncertain about their career paths to visit the public prosecutors office and attending bar exam celebration parties.

After her appointment at the ICC, a group of devoted former students established JIRoL in July last year. In response to the U.S. sanctions, JIRoL launched a petition for government support and presented around 170,000 signatures to the deputy chief Cabinet secretary on October 1. Maiko Imaizumi, a 44-year-old lawyer and JIRoL member, expressed Akane's satisfaction with the immense support, saying, "The fact that so many voices have come together is what matters."

JIRoL plans to create a picture book introducing the ICC and organize mock trials for high school students. Shamoto emphasized the importance of the rule of law to the younger generation, stating, "If we accept change through force, we will end up in a world where the strong can do whatever they want."