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The Asahi Shimbun
Politics
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By ASAKO HANAFUSA/ Correspondent
August 26, 2026 at 18:39 JST
ICC President Tomoko Akane speaks during an online news conference hosted by the Japan National Press Club on Aug. 26. (Kazuhiro Nagashima)
Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court, vowed that the ICC, “the last bastion for protecting the rule of law,” would survive U.S. sanctions.
Akane made the comment during an online news conference hosted by the Japan National Press Club on Aug. 26.
It was the first public appearance by the 70-year-old Akane since she was targeted by sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration of Donald Trump.
Akane said the court faces an existential crisis but insisted that “the ICC will not be defeated.”
She said she has devoted her career to advancing the rule of law and asserted there was “absolutely no reason” for her to be subjected to sanctions.
Akane said she would resist the effects of the sanctions “as much as possible” but acknowledged that the effects, such as being unable to use her credit card, are already being felt.
While thanking the Japanese government for its support, she urged Tokyo to continue efforts to uphold the rule of law and to convey the importance of the ICC to the United States.
She also described the ICC as the “last hope” for victims of international crimes and urged the public to view the sanctions as “a crisis for the rule of law.”
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