Japan faces test as ICC urges pushback against US campaign

The International Court of Justice’s sanctioned judge has urged Japan to counter the US campaign against the court in order to defend its integrity and independence.

The Japanese head of the court said on Wednesday that Japan should counter US pressure applied by the Trump administration on the members of ICC court to quit the body.

The Trump administration escalated its measures against the court in The Hague last week by imposing sanctions on its president, Tomoko Akane, alongside a senior trial lawyer.

Akane called on Tokyo, the court's biggest financial backer, to help ​it in its hour of need, stating, “Japan has long made the rule of ​law a cornerstone of its diplomacy. Consequently, both I and the international community hold high expectations for Japan.”

"Furthermore, I would like Japan to focus on supporting neighbouring countries that are ICC members, ensuring that they do not succumb to the new U.S. campaign and decide to withdraw from the ICC," she added.

Though the US is not a member of the court, Washington has strongly condemned the court's move to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Akane believes that Japan could leverage its close bilateral relations with America and discourage it from taking escalatory measures.

"Countries, people and media are saying ⁠this ​is a litmus test for their expectations of Japan ... ​Japan's strong support for the ICC here will greatly contribute to its future survival. This is where the real challenge begins" she said.

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi also expressed her commitment to defend the court against the US’ increasing pressure.

“We repeatedly approached the US at various levels, right up until the last possible moment, urging it not to designate president Akane for sanctions,” Takaichi said at a press conference.