Former Japanese defense chief urges prime minister to contest US sanctions on ICC

The short version

• Former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani called on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to formally protest U.S. sanctions targeting the ICC and its Japanese president, Tomoko Akane.
• A cross-party legislative group plans to deliver formal demands to the Japanese government in mid-September ahead of Takaichi's planned visit to the United States.
• The U.S. measures include asset freezes and travel bans on approximately a dozen court personnel following investigations involving Afghanistan and Gaza.
• It remains uncertain whether Takaichi will alter her diplomatic stance or raise the issue directly in potential upcoming meetings with U.S. leadership.

Key facts

• Former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani labeled U.S. sanctions against the ICC and Court President Tomoko Akane an attack on the international rules-based order.[Associated Press]
• Nakatani heads a cross-party coalition of Japanese lawmakers preparing to submit formal demands urging the government to seek a full retraction of the sanctions by mid-September.[Associated Press]
• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi previously described the U.S. penalties as unfortunate and inconsistent with Japanese policy.[Associated Press]
• The United States applied sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, to roughly twelve ICC officials over inquiries into U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Israeli officials in Gaza.[Associated Press]
• ICC President Tomoko Akane stated that the penalties have not disrupted her duties and appealed to Japan and fellow member nations to protect the court.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Japan’s former defense chief urges PM to challenge US sanctions on ICC presidentAssociated Press