ICC President Tomoko Akane vows to continue work despite US sanctions

International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane has pledged to continue her duties despite recent sanctions imposed by the United States. Speaking from Tokyo, the Japanese national stated she remains “unwavering” in her convictions.

The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned Akane and ICC official Abdoulaye Seye following the court's November 2024 decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the officials of being directly involved in efforts to investigate and prosecute officials from governments that have not consented to the ICC's jurisdiction.

Japan has criticized the American measures, describing them as “highly unfavorable.” A spokesperson for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Japan's ongoing support for the ICC's mission to prosecute the most serious international crimes and uphold the rule of law.