Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has called upon Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to adopt a firmer position against the sanctions the United States has imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its Japanese president, Tomoko Akane. Nakatani criticized the sanctions as an affront to the rules-based international order and urged the Japanese government to push Washington to revoke these measures.
Nakatani emphasized that Japan should uphold its strong security alliance with the United States while simultaneously standing up for the rule of law and endorsing the ICC. He cautioned that Japan’s silence on the matter could potentially damage its credibility with both international allies and the United States. His appeal comes as Takaichi is set to visit the United States for the United Nations General Assembly, where a meeting with President Donald Trump may be on the agenda.
A bipartisan group of Japanese lawmakers, led by Nakatani, intends to formally present their demands to the Japanese government. Takaichi has previously characterized the US sanctions against the ICC as regrettable and inconsistent with Japan’s policy. However, Nakatani seeks a more robust protest from Tokyo, explicitly calling for the withdrawal of measures targeting Akane and the court.
The US sanctions were imposed following accusations that the ICC had overstepped its authority, particularly in investigations involving Israeli officials and US military personnel. These sanctions entail restrictions on assets under US jurisdiction and bans on entry to the United States for court officials.
Despite the sanctions, Akane has maintained her commitment to her role and has appealed to Japan and other ICC member nations to protect the court. She has also urged Washington to refrain from further escalating the situation. The call for Japan to take a stand reflects a broader concern about maintaining international legal standards while balancing strategic partnerships.