International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane on Wednesday urged Japan to push back against US measures aimed at forcing ICC member states to leave the tribunal, stressing that Tokyo's support is key to the court's survival.
Speaking via video link to journalists in Tokyo, Akane, a Japanese national, said Japan has long regarded international law as the foundation of its diplomacy, and that both she and the international community place great expectations on the country. She also asked Japan to assist neighboring states that are ICC members, helping them resist the new US campaign and remain in the court.
Last week, the administration of US President Donald Trump escalated its campaign against The Hague-based court by imposing sanctions on Akane and a senior trial lawyer at the tribunal. Washington also vowed to intensify efforts to persuade other countries to leave the ICC, and at least five countries have followed suit.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially described Washington's latest move as "very regrettable," but has faced criticism from opposition parties, human rights groups, and some lawmakers in her ruling party for not defending the ICC more forcefully.
The ICC was established in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The United States is not a member, but the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close US ally, along with its earlier investigation into US soldiers in Afghanistan, has angered Washington.
Akane said Japan, which joined the ICC in 2007, should leverage its close ties with the United States to persuade Washington not to take further escalatory steps. She stressed: "Countries, people, and media are saying this is a test of their expectations of Japan... Japan's strong support for the ICC will greatly contribute to the court's future survival. This is where the real challenge begins."
