ICC President Tomoko Akane Vows to Resist U.S. Sanctions

International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane vowed on Wednesday to resist U.S. sanctions and protect the Hague based judicial body from mounting pressure from Washington. Akane is one of nine ICC judges targeted by sanctions that freeze assets in the United States and generally bar individuals from entering the country. Speaking via an online press conference to reporters in Tokyo, Akane stated that there is no reason for her to be sanctioned and that the threats would not change her approach to her judicial duties. She described the situation as a crisis for the rule of law and warned that the dismantling of the ICC would mark a transition from the rule of law to the rule of force.

The administration of President Donald Trump has taken a hostile stance toward the ICC due to investigations into alleged war crimes by U.S. service members and the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington has also sought to persuade other countries to withdraw from the institution. Akane called on Japan, the ICC's largest financial contributor in 2025, to use its diplomatic ties with the U.S. to prevent further escalation and to encourage other member states not to quit the body.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially described the U.S. sanctions as very unfortunate. This response drew criticism from opposition members, human rights groups, and some of her own party for being too weak. Takaichi later stated that the sanctions are incompatible with Japan's position on the rule of law and that the government is taking the matter very seriously. While center outlets focused on the diplomatic tension and the legal implications for the court, center left outlets emphasized the personal emotional toll on Akane and the existential threat to international justice.