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\nA general view of the exterior of the International Criminal Court is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo\/Omar Havana, File) <\/p>\n
\n The United States has imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which hears cases involving war crimes and other serious offenses. The sanctions freeze any assets Akane has in the United States, and bar her from entering the country. This is a reckless act that could destroy the international legal order, and we call for its immediate retraction.
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\n Since last year, Washington has stepped up pressure on the ICC after it issued warrants for leaders of Israel, a U.S. ally. The U.S. appears to be seeking to avoid a situation in which senior officials of its own government could be put on trial following its attacks on Venezuela and Iran. Last month, Washington called for dismantling the ICC and urged member states to withdraw.
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\n The United States, which does not belong to the ICC, portrays the prosecution of people from nonmember states as “an attack on national sovereignty.” But when it receives requests from member states, the ICC has the authority to investigate nonmember states as well. It is the U.S. argument that is off the mark.
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\n What cannot be overlooked is the Japanese government’s response.
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\n In spite of sanctions being imposed against one of Japan’s own citizens who heads an international organization, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi merely said, “I think it’s regrettable,” and avoided criticism. She appears to have been trying to avoid displeasing U.S. President Donald Trump and creating trouble in Japan-U.S. relations.
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\n Last year, when the United States imposed sanctions on ICC officials, Japan did not join a statement criticizing Washington that was issued by about 80 countries and regions. Japan showed consideration for the United States in the hope that sanctions would not reach Akane, but that effort has come to nothing.
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\n The situation has brought into sharp relief the fact that there are limits to diplomacy that merely curries favor with the United States. The behavior of the Trump administration shows little regard for Japan’s basic stance of valuing the rule of law.
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\n If Japan bends its principles and follows along, the international community will see it as a double standard. The proper course is to protest to the United States at the leadership level and demand that the sanctions be withdrawn.
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\n The ICC is an organization that was created out of reflection on World War II. It was established in 2002 and now has 125 member countries and regions. Because it can try even national leaders for crimes against humanity and other grave offenses, it is known as the “guardian of international law.”
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\n Japan is the ICC’s largest financial contributor and has also dispatched legal professionals to the court. It must not sit by in the face of this unjust attack. It must continue to support the institution.
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\n When Prime Minister Takaichi met with Akane in January, she promised to “strongly support” her. Now is the time to turn those words into action, not letting them end as mere words.
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