JAKARTA - The Japanese government said it was closely monitoring and concerned about the diplomatic pressure exerted by the United States (US) to hinder the operations of the International Criminal Court/International Criminal Court (ICC).
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan, as the largest financial contributor to the court, "pays great attention to the eradication and prevention of serious crimes, as well as the enforcement of the rule of law."
According to Kihara, the Japanese government "has consistently supported the ICC in its capacity as a permanent international criminal court."
While monitoring the next steps of the US, Kihara ensured that his party would respond to the problem by continuing to consult closely with the ICC and other member countries, as well as with the US Government.
The statement by the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary was made after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday (13/7) announced "comprehensive measures to remove threats" that he said were posed by the ICC to US sovereignty.
Rubio stressed that there was "no limitation on diplomatic options" in the US effort.
Action options to be taken include the possibility of urging member states to withdraw from the judicial institution, as well as increasing sanctions against the ICC and its affiliated organizations.
He also stated that the US government, which is not a member of the ICC, can urge allies and countries that "enjoy the benefits" of security protection from the US to reject what he called the "claimed authority" of the ICC in prosecuting American officials and military personnel.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has often launched harsh criticism of the ICC after the international institution opened an investigation into US military personnel regarding alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
In addition, the US also criticized the ICC's move to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his country's military aggression in the Gaza Strip.
Since the beginning of 2024, the ICC presidency has been occupied by Tomoko Akane, a judge and legal expert from Japan. He is the first figure from the Sakura State who leads the judicial organization based in The Hague, Netherlands.
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