Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed deep concern over U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), stating they are "incompatible with Japan's position" and emphasized the need to support the ICC. This statement marked a stronger response than her previous expression of "great regret" when Japanese ICC President Akane Tomoko was placed under sanctions in August. The Japanese government continues to oppose the sanctions alongside European nations while persuading the U.S.
Following the announcement of the U.S. sanctions on the night of October 9, Takaichi wrote on her social media platform X, "Japan consistently values the rule of law in the international community and supports the ICC, which plays a vital role." She reiterated her commitment to providing necessary support to ensure the ICC can fulfill its original roles and functions. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also expressed similar concerns on X that night, stating the sanctions are "deeply concerning and incompatible with Japan's consistent position." Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reaffirmed this stance on an NHK discussion program on October 11.
The ICC is a permanent international court that prosecutes individuals for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. Japan joined the ICC in 2007 and is the largest contributor, having paid approximately 4.5 billion yen (about $37.9 million) last year. With Akane leading the ICC, the U.S. sanctions present a direct diplomatic issue for Japan.
On October 9, the U.S. designated the ICC organization itself as a target of sanctions for the first time, shortly after the announcement of former ICC judge Navi Pillay winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Previously, U.S. sanctions had only targeted individuals, including Akane and 12 other judges and prosecutors since 2025. If the sanctions are fully implemented, U.S. assets of the ICC would be frozen, and transactions with U.S. individuals and companies would be prohibited. This could disrupt financial transactions, investigations, hearings, and victim compensation. However, the U.S. has allowed a 180-day grace period for negotiations to address its concerns.
The Japanese government has been quietly persuading the U.S. to delay sanctions against Akane and the ICC. According to Asahi Shimbun, Takaichi's previous expression of "great regret" during Akane's sanctions in August was a strategic decision to avoid conflict with the U.S., which drew criticism domestically for being overly submissive.
President Donald Trump referred to the ICC as an "evil organization" during his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 22, urging member countries to withdraw. Asahi reported that Takaichi spent more time than expected explaining Japan's support for the ICC during her meeting with Trump on the same day. The meeting did not break down over this issue, and both leaders agreed to continue discussions through their foreign ministers. This approach helped avoid escalating tensions between the two leaders. The newspaper noted that not criticizing the U.S. strongly at first allowed for some flexibility. However, less than three weeks after the summit, sanctions were expanded to include the entire ICC organization.
Akane firmly rejected the sanctions immediately after their announcement, calling for support from various countries. On October 9, Japan, along with Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement opposing the sanctions and reaffirming unwavering support for the ICC. The chairpersons of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, which includes Japan, also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the sanctions on October 10. Kihara explained that the chairpersons' statement reflected Japan's position.
On October 10, Foreign Minister Motegi held separate phone discussions with Akane and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. With Akane, he discussed the future direction of the ICC following the sanctions, and with Rubio, he conveyed Japan's position on the sanctions. Both ministers agreed to maintain close communication.
The U.S. is also increasing pressure on its allies. Rubio stated, "Either the ICC ends its threats, or we will end the ICC," expressing expectations that allies dependent on U.S. security would work to restrain the ICC. Asahi interpreted this remark as targeting Japan and European nations, which have supported the ICC's finances and operations. It is anticipated that the U.S. will pressure allies to exclude their citizens from ICC jurisdiction during the grace period. If concessions are made solely to the U.S., the ICC's significance could be undermined, and full implementation of the sanctions could paralyze the ICC's functions.
While opposing the sanctions, Japan is leaving room for negotiations with the U.S. On October 9, Motegi stated that while supporting the ICC, it is crucial for the ICC to gain the trust of the international community by addressing its challenges and ensuring proper operations. Asahi interpreted this as Japan signaling its willingness to work on resolving the ICC's issues while being mindful of U.S. concerns. For Japan, which centers its security on the U.S.-Japan alliance, it is essential to manage its relationship with the U.S. while supporting the ICC.
The ICC Assembly of States Parties will convene in The Hague from November 30 to December 7, where responses to the U.S. sanctions are expected to be a key agenda item. For member countries like Japan, the challenge will be to find ways to mitigate the impact of the sanctions before the grace period ends in early April next year. The Japanese government is seeking to maintain the ICC's functions in cooperation with European nations, but a solution to change the U.S. stance remains elusive.
According to Asahi, a senior official from the Japanese Foreign Ministry believes that it will be difficult for the U.S. to ease its pressure on the ICC, given that President Trump himself faces the risk of prosecution by the ICC. The official stated, "Our long-term goal is to support the ICC's functions until the end of the Trump administration."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.