Japan slams US sanctions on ICC president as 'very unfortunate'

The Japanese government has voiced strong disapproval of US sanctions imposed on International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national, describing the move as deeply regrettable. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura issued a statement reaffirming Tokyo's consistent backing for the ICC as a permanent judicial institution dedicated to prosecuting the most serious international crimes and preserving the rule of law. "From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate," Kitamura said, adding that Japan would continue engaging with relevant countries to strengthen the international legal order.

Sanctions target ICC leadership over Israel warrants

The US Treasury Department added Akane and Abdoulaye Seye, a Senegalese senior prosecutor, to its Specially Designated Nationals List on Tuesday, freezing any US-based assets and prohibiting American entities from transactions with them. The designations follow the ICC's November 2024 issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza—a decision that has drawn sharp Washington backlash. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also called the US action "very unfortunate," indicating her government would address the matter through continued dialogue with the United States and other stakeholders.

Judicial independence under pressure

The sanctions represent the latest escalation in US pressure on the ICC, which Washington has consistently criticized for what it views as overreach against non-member states and allied nations. Japan, while maintaining close security ties with the US, has historically supported multilateral judicial mechanisms and the principle of impartial accountability. The diplomatic friction underscores the challenge Tokyo faces in balancing its alliance commitments with its advocacy for international legal frameworks, particularly as the ICC's work becomes increasingly politicized amid global power rivalries.