Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Wednesday (August 13, US time) voiced her view that the US administration's sanctions against Akane Tomoko, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), are “very regrettable.” Akane, a Japanese citizen, currently leads the international judicial body headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
Takaichi's remarks came as Washington continues its measures against the ICC. The United States had previously announced sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the ICC's investigations of US officials and allies.
Analysts suggest that expanding sanctions to include the ICC's president—who heads the first permanent court with jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide—could strain Washington's relations with allies, including Japan. Akane was elected to the court's leadership in 2024 and is highly regarded for her expertise in international law.
