ICC chief Tomoko Akane urges Japan to counter US campaign against court

International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane has urged Japan, the court's largest financial backer, to counter a United States pressure campaign aimed at forcing member states to withdraw from the tribunal. The Trump administration recently sanctioned Akane and a senior trial lawyer over the court's pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has faced domestic criticism for a weak initial defense of the court, Akane insists Japan must leverage its close U.S. ties to prevent a 'crisis for the rule of law.'

US sanctions on ICC officials

• ▪International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane stated there is absolutely no reason for her to be sanctioned and rejected U.S. allegations that the court infringed upon the sovereignty of non-member states.
• ▪The Trump administration sanctioned International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer in August 2026.

US pressure for ICC withdrawals

• ▪The United States government has launched a campaign to persuade other countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a call that at least five countries have already heeded.
• ▪International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane urged Japan to support neighboring member countries to ensure they do not succumb to the United States pressure campaign and withdraw from the court.

Japan's diplomatic response

• ▪Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan repeatedly approached the United States at various levels up until the last possible moment to urge Washington not to designate International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane for sanctions.
• ▪Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially described the United States sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane as 'very unfortunate' but faced criticism from opposition parties, human rights groups, and some ruling party lawmakers for not defending the court more forcibly.
• ▪International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane urged Japan, the court's largest financial backer, to leverage its close diplomatic ties with the United States to dissuade Washington from taking further escalatory measures.

ICC defense of independence

• ▪International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane described the United States sanctions against court officials as 'a crisis for the rule of law.'
• ▪International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane declared that the court will resist United States pressure with all its might and will not shut down or give up even if additional sanctions are imposed against the institution itself.

Netanyahu arrest warrant controversy

• ▪The United States sanctions against International Criminal Court officials occurred weeks after member states voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan, who spearheaded the warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, following allegations of sexual misconduct.
• ▪The United States, which is not a member of the International Criminal Court, opposes the court's decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

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