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Japan’s former defense chief urges PM to challenge US sanctions on ICC president

Nakatani said the sanctions are political coercion and urged Japan to back the ICC as Washington freezes assets and bars about a dozen staff and families.

  • On Friday, Gen Nakatani urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to firmly protest U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court and its president, Tomoko Akane, describing the decision as an outright attack on the rules-based international order.
  • Washington imposed these sanctions in retaliation for ICC investigations into Israeli officials in Gaza and U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan, accusing the court of overstepping its mandate.
  • Warning that being 'docile' could erode trust in the Japan-United States alliance, Nakatani criticized Takaichi's previous description of the measures as 'unfortunate' and incompatible with Japan's policy.
  • Ahead of Takaichi's expected United States trip for the United Nations General Assembly, a cross-party group led by Nakatani will submit formal demands to the government by mid-September.
  • Tomoko Akane stated last month that sanctions have not intimidated her or affected her work, vowing to continue protecting the ICC, its judges, and their operations.
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Associated Press News broke the news in New York, United States on Friday, September 4, 2026.
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