Japan has criticised the United States over its decision to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and senior prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye, describing the move as “very unfortunate.”
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Tokyo has consistently supported the ICC and its efforts to prosecute serious international crimes, including war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
The US sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, freeze any US-based assets belonging to the targeted officials and largely restrict their access to the American financial system. The officials were involved in the ICC’s work that sought an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC condemned Washington’s latest action, saying the sanctions amount to an attack on the independence of the international court. The move brings the number of ICC staff members sanctioned by the US to 13, including nine of the court’s 18 judges.
Japan’s criticism is notable because Tokyo is a key US ally and depends heavily on American military support for its defence. The sanctions have also created tensions between Washington and several European allies.
The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, also opposed the sanctions and invited Akane to discuss continued Dutch support for the court.
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of the gravest international crimes. Japan joined the court in 2007.
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