Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 9 hours ago
Takaichi says Japan takes U.S. sanctions on ICC chief seriously
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that Japan takes U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane very seriously, noting the measure is not compatible with Japan's stance.
The administration of President Donald Trump announced the sanctions on the ICC's chief on Tuesday, accusing the court of "maliciously" abusing its authority; Akane denied wrongdoing, stating she performed only her duties as a judge.
In a phone interview with NHK on Saturday, Akane warned the situation is increasingly serious, noting that sanctions may extend to the court itself, not only individual judges.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed that Kazuhiko Nakamura, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's International Legal Affairs Bureau, met with Akane in the Netherlands, stating the government is keeping in close touch.
Akane stressed the importance of the ICC for Japan, arguing the country has gained international respect by maintaining pacifism and the rule of law since World War Two.
(Tokyo=Yonhap News) Correspondent Cho Seong-mi = Japanese lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties [regarding] the U.S. Donald Trump administration's sanctions against the Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC)...