Politics · Singapore Bureau
ICC chief urges Japan to resist US pressure on court membership
The International Criminal Court's Japanese president has called on Tokyo to actively counter American efforts to persuade ICC member states to withdraw from the institution. Japan's support is critical to the court's continued viability, according to the ICC official.
LSN Singapore ·
The head of the International Criminal Court has appealed to Japan to push back against United States pressure targeting the global institution, saying Tokyo's backing is essential for the court's long-term sustainability.
The Japanese ICC president made the remarks on Wednesday in Tokyo, highlighting growing tensions between the United States and the international justice body. The statement underscores deepening rifts over the court's independence and legitimacy.
The appeal reflects broader concerns among ICC supporters about the viability of the institution amid mounting geopolitical pressure. The court has faced criticism from major powers, particularly over its investigative activities and perceived bias in case selection.
Japan, as both a stable democracy and a significant regional power in Asia, holds particular weight in international forums. The ICC official's intervention suggests the institution views Japan as a key player in preserving and strengthening support for multilateral justice mechanisms in the region and globally.
The push-back against what the ICC characterizes as American pressure campaigns represents an unusual public appeal to a member state, underlining the urgency officials feel about protecting the court's integrity and membership base.