The ICC, Established in 2002 to Prosecute War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Is Not Joined by the US in Japan

ICC President Tomoko Akane has urged Japan to counter US pressure on the International Criminal Court, calling Tokyo's support pivotal to the court's survival. Speaking via video link to reporters in Tokyo, Akane, a Japanese national, said Japan, the ICC's biggest financial backer, should help the Hague-based court in its hour of need. "Japan has long made the rule of law a cornerstone of its diplomacy." Consequently, both I and the international community hold high expectations for Japan, Akane said.

"Furthermore, I would like Japan to focus on supporting neighbouring countries that are ICC members, ensuring that they do not succumb to the new US campaign and decide to withdraw from the ICC. The US administration of President Donald Trump escalated its campaign against the court last week by sanctioning Akane and a senior trial lawyer. Washington has said it will step up efforts to persuade other countries to quit the institution, a call that at least five countries have already heeded.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially described the move as "very unfortunate" but has faced criticism from the opposition, human rights groups and some lawmakers from her own party for not defending the court more forcibly. The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, is not joined by the US. However, the court's decision to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close US ally, alongside a past probe into US troops in Afghanistan, has drawn Washington's ire." Akane said Japan, which joined the ICC in 2007, should leverage its close ties with the US to dissuade Washington from further escalatory measures.

"Countries, people and media are saying this is a litmus test for their expectations of Japan… Japan's strong support for the ICC here will greatly contribute to its future survival," she said. This is where the real challenge begins.