Japan ready to support ICC president sanctioned by US

The Japanese government has said it will provide necessary support to International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane after she was sanctioned by the United States.

The statement was made by Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at a regular press conference in Tokyo on Monday, amid criticism that the Japanese government’s response to the matter has been seen as weak.

The Trump administration has accused the Hague-based court of overstepping its authority and interfering in state sovereignty.

Nevertheless, the Japanese government has stopped short of openly criticising the administration of US President Donald Trump for imposing sanctions on Akane, the first Japanese national to lead the ICC.

Kihara said the government has been “maintaining close communication” with Akane.

“If there is any necessary support that we can provide, we intend to ensure that we provide it,” he said.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a statement on Wednesday describing the sanctions against Akane as “highly regrettable”, drew attention from international human rights organisations.

Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard, in a post on X, described the response as a rather weak reaction.

Similarly, Human Rights Watch Japan Director Kanae Doi said the Japanese government “should strengthen its long-term support for the ICC by strongly condemning the Trump administration’s attack on the court.”

Kihara further said the government is aware that various views have been expressed. He added that the government will refrain from commenting on each of those views individually.

“Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to punish and eradicate the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law,” Kihara said.