Japan Protests U.S. Sanctions on International Criminal Court Officials

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the United States has imposed sanctions on Japanese judge Tomoko Akane, the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the court’s deputy prosecutor, Takehiko Fukuoka, as part of its ongoing pressure campaign against the tribunal. These sanctions include asset freezes and a ban on financial transactions through the U.S. financial system.

Washington’s primary justification for these measures is its accusation that the ICC is engaging in political maneuvering and overstepping its judicial authority. This criticism is particularly directed at cases involving officials from non-member states of the Rome Statute, such as the United States and Israel.

The ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Gaza. Israel has welcomed the U.S. sanctions, with Netanyahu expressing his gratitude to Washington.

In contrast, Japan has described the U.S. action as “deeply regrettable.” This situation is particularly sensitive as Judge Akane is a Japanese national, and Japan is recognized as one of the court’s most significant financial and political supporters. The Netherlands, as the host nation of the ICC, has also expressed its opposition to these sanctions.