In brief
ICC President Tomoko Akane held a meeting with a cross‑party delegation of Japanese lawmakers in The Hague, calling for sustained support for the tribunal despite United States sanctions targeting her. The meeting drew attention to Japan’s role as the court’s largest financial contributor and highlighted the divergent narratives presented by Kyodo and NHK news outlets.
ICC President Tomoko Akane met a cross‑party delegation of Japanese lawmakers in The Hague on Friday, urging them to keep backing the tribunal despite U.S. sanctions that name her a target.
Kyodo News reported that the meeting took place at ICC headquarters, noting that Akane, herself under U.S. sanctions, called for continued support from member states, stressing that Japan is the tribunal’s biggest financial contributor and a key source of judges, including herself, the first Japanese national to head the ICC.
Yasue Funayama
"I felt anew that Japan should take the lead in taking action toward the removal of the sanctions, with a strong determination that our country should say what must be said to the United States because we are allies," said Funayama, co‑head of the parliamentarians’ group, after the meeting.
Minoru Kihara
“Japan, which has been advocating for the rule of law, should not waver when the ICC is facing a crisis,” said Japanese top government spokesman, noting the government is considering additional financial assistance for the tribunal.
Yoshihiko Noda
"We will join forces across party lines to support the ICC," added Noda, former prime minister and a member of the delegation.
NHK World Japan described the event as a bipartisan visit by a group of Japanese lawmakers to the ICC in the Netherlands, during which the delegation pledged its support for the institution.
The contrast between the two outlets is clear: Kyodo News highlighted the U.S. sanctions and the urgency of diplomatic action, while NHK World Japan emphasized the bipartisan nature of the delegation and the simple act of pledging support without discussing external pressures.
As context, the United States announced sanctions on the ICC in August 2023, followed by further restrictions in October that targeted the court’s mandate and its chief, amid accusations of interference in U.S. sovereign matters.
Akane’s appointment as ICC president made her the first Japanese national to lead the court, and her presence at the meeting underscored Japan’s deep involvement in the tribunal’s operations, from funding to supplying judges.
Japan’s role as the largest financial contributor was reiterated by both outlets, with Kyodo News noting that the country’s contributions have underpinned the ICC’s budget and NHK World Japan confirming the delegation’s commitment to continued backing.
The meeting, the first since the U.S. imposed sanctions on the ICC, signals ongoing tensions over the court’s legitimacy and the diplomatic efforts to maintain support among member states.
