Overview:
Japan has condemned U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane, calling the move “very unfortunate” and reaffirming its support for judicial independence, the rule of law and the ICC’s role in prosecuting the world’s gravest crimes.
TOKYO, 20 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — Japan has criticised the United States’ decision to sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, saying the move is “very unfortunate” and reaffirming its support for the court and the rule of law.
In a statement issued by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan said Akane had been additionally designated for U.S sanctions.
“Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law. From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate.”
Japan said it would continue to support the international rule of law while maintaining dialogue with countries involved.
“Japan will remain committed to strengthening the rule of law in the international community, while maintaining communication with related countries.”
The ICC strongly rejected the U.S sanctions, describing them as an attack on the independence of the court.
“These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution,” the ICC said in a statement.
“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff … undermine the rule of law,” it added.
The United States sanctioned Akane, who is from Japan, and ICC trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal on Tuesday.
Washington has accused the ICC of being a “corrupt and fatally politicised” body and has previously imposed sanctions on several ICC officials.
U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctioned individuals had been involved in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials from governments that had not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
The latest U.S action comes amid tensions over ICC investigations involving Israel, a close U.S ally.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders over alleged crimes against humanity.
The United States has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over U.S nationals and has not ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of the gravest international crimes and serves as a court of last resort when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to provide accountability.
Israel, Russia and China are also not members of the ICC…. PACNEWS