Tokyo balances its strategic alliance with Washington against its commitment to global judicial institutions after the Trump administration targets Japanese judge Tomoko Akane.
TOKYO
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly expressed strong concern on Wednesday, describing recent U.S. financial sanctions targeting International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane as "very unfortunate". The Treasury Department's actions against Akane, a Japanese national serving as the head of the Hague-based tribunal, follow the Trump administration's ongoing campaign against the ICC regarding its investigations into U.S. personnel and foreign military leaders. Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Takaichi reaffirmed Japan's foundational support for the ICC and the international rule of law while emphasizing that her government will navigate the sensitive diplomatic rift through direct, continued communication with its close ally in Washington.