Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is calling for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to adopt a more assertive position regarding U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its Japanese president, Tomoko Akane. Nakatani criticized the U.S. measures as detrimental to the rules-based international order, urging the Japanese government to press Washington for a reversal of these sanctions.
According to Nakatani, Japan should be capable of upholding its strong security alliance with the United States while also championing the rule of law and supporting the ICC. He cautioned that Japan’s silence on this issue could potentially harm its credibility with international partners, including the United States. This appeal from Nakatani coincides with Prime Minister Takaichi’s anticipated visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly, where a meeting with President Donald Trump might occur.
A cross-party coalition of Japanese lawmakers, spearheaded by Nakatani, intends to formally submit their demands to the Japanese government. Although Takaichi has previously labeled the U.S. sanctions against the ICC as regrettable and inconsistent with Japan’s policies, Nakatani seeks a stronger protest from Tokyo. He urges the government to explicitly call for the withdrawal of measures against Akane and the court.
The United States has justified its sanctions by accusing the ICC of overstepping its authority, particularly in relation to investigations involving Israeli officials and U.S. military personnel. These sanctions encompass restrictions on assets under U.S. jurisdiction and entrance into the United States. Despite these challenges, Akane has affirmed her resolve to continue her duties unimpeded. She has encouraged Japan and other ICC member states to support the court and to persuade Washington against further escalating the situation.