Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said she feels "deep concern" over a United States push for Japan to join sanctions against the International Criminal Court, widening a rare public rift between the two allies.
Takaichi wrote on X on October 10 that Japan has consistently valued the rule of law in the international community and supports the ICC, which she said plays a key role in upholding it. "This measure is incompatible with Japan's consistent position, and I express deep concern," she said, according to the Asahi Shimbun and other Japanese media.
Washington blacklists the entire court
Her remarks followed the US State Department's announcement on October 9 placing the entire ICC on the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list, a move that would punish any entity doing business with the court financially. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a video message that the ICC would either end what he called its threat to the United States, or the United States would end the ICC.
The step went beyond the administration's earlier targeted sanctions on 17 court officials, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national. Washington argues the court unjustly prosecutes Americans. Rubio also said the US expects allies that depend on American forces for their defence to help rein in the court, a remark read as a pointed call for Japan to join the sanctions.
Tokyo keeps its distance
Japan, the largest financial contributor among ICC member states, has kept its distance from the American request. Tokyo joined the foreign ministers of seven countries, including Germany, France and Italy, in a statement saying they regretted and strongly opposed the US sanctions announcement.
Takaichi had earlier voiced "regret" after the sanctions on Akane and other officials, and in August said the measure ran counter to Japan's position. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with Akane on October 10 and with Rubio on October 11 as Tokyo moved to contain the rift. The sanctions announcement followed former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, a onetime ICC judge, being named the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Sources:
The Japan Times: Takaichi again in a bind as U.S. threatens to 'end' ICC
Seoul Economic Daily: Takaichi Voices "Deep Concern" as U.S. Presses Japan to Join ICC Sanctions
Takaichi wrote on X on October 10 that Japan has consistently valued the rule of law in the international community and supports the ICC, which she said plays a key role in upholding it. "This measure is incompatible with Japan's consistent position, and I express deep concern," she said, according to the Asahi Shimbun and other Japanese media.
Washington blacklists the entire court
Her remarks followed the US State Department's announcement on October 9 placing the entire ICC on the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list, a move that would punish any entity doing business with the court financially. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a video message that the ICC would either end what he called its threat to the United States, or the United States would end the ICC.
The step went beyond the administration's earlier targeted sanctions on 17 court officials, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national. Washington argues the court unjustly prosecutes Americans. Rubio also said the US expects allies that depend on American forces for their defence to help rein in the court, a remark read as a pointed call for Japan to join the sanctions.
Tokyo keeps its distance
Japan, the largest financial contributor among ICC member states, has kept its distance from the American request. Tokyo joined the foreign ministers of seven countries, including Germany, France and Italy, in a statement saying they regretted and strongly opposed the US sanctions announcement.
Takaichi had earlier voiced "regret" after the sanctions on Akane and other officials, and in August said the measure ran counter to Japan's position. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with Akane on October 10 and with Rubio on October 11 as Tokyo moved to contain the rift. The sanctions announcement followed former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, a onetime ICC judge, being named the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Sources:
The Japan Times: Takaichi again in a bind as U.S. threatens to 'end' ICC
Seoul Economic Daily: Takaichi Voices "Deep Concern" as U.S. Presses Japan to Join ICC Sanctions
