The ICC and US-Japan: The Missing Element in the Prime Minister’s Speech
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump each spoke at the U.N. General Assembly, and the rift between the two nations concerning the International Criminal Court was made clear.
In contrast to Trump's appeal to member nations to withdraw from the organization in an effort to dismantle it, the prime minister declared support for the ICC, but she did not address the Trump administration's sanctions against Judge Tomoko Akane, the president of the ICC.
Although she may have avoided provoking the U.S., shouldn't she have clearly stated Japan's position? Her restraint toward Trump can only be seen as an effort to tread carefully.
In Trump's Sept. 22 speech, he demonstrated open hostility toward the ICC, calling it an “evil group of people” that targets the U.S. The U.S. has repeatedly carried out attacks against nations such as Venezuela and Iran in violation of international law, imposed sanctions on Akane and others and displayed a flagrant leaning toward the “rule of force,” both militarily and economically.
If Japan truly takes the rule of law seriously, it must coordinate with Europe and other nations to restrain Trump's reckless behavior.
In the prime minister's speech, it was natural to tout “consistent support” for international courts, including the ICC, as a general principle of Japanese diplomacy, but in order to carry out the principle, action is essential. Shouldn't Takaichi have gone a bit further and pointed out the growing danger posed by U.S. high-handedness?
In a press conference, Takaichi merely stated that, during a U.S.-Japan summit meeting with Trump before her speech, the two had engaged in a “frank exchange of views” on the ICC, but she did not provide any clear details about the discussion. It is extremely regrettable that she did not leverage the opportunity to directly request that the U.S. repeal the sanctions on Akane and others.
U.S. media report that the Trump administration is already preparing to impose broader sanctions on the ICC itself. If the sanctions, which had been limited to individuals such as Akane, are broadened to target the ICC itself, the court’s ability to function could be further harmed.
Up until now, the Japanese government has over time “repeatedly attempted to urge the U.S. at various levels”* but has not been able to prevent sanctions against Akane and others. Whether Japan will press the U.S. to lift the sanctions and prevent their expansion — and whether those efforts will produce results — is questionable.
Even if it is difficult to get Trump to understand the rule of law and the significance of the ICC, there is no other way besides persistently attempting to persuade him. Suppressing advocacy for fear of provoking resentment is the same as promoting “the rule of force.” Japanese diplomacy should focus on how to balance maintaining relations with the U.S. and international cooperation.
*Editor’s note: This quote, though accurately translated, could not be independently verified.
In contrast to Trump's appeal to member nations to withdraw from the organization in an effort to dismantle it, the prime minister declared support for the ICC, but she did not address the Trump administration's sanctions against Judge Tomoko Akane, the president of the ICC.
Although she may have avoided provoking the U.S., shouldn't she have clearly stated Japan's position? Her restraint toward Trump can only be seen as an effort to tread carefully.
In Trump's Sept. 22 speech, he demonstrated open hostility toward the ICC, calling it an “evil group of people” that targets the U.S. The U.S. has repeatedly carried out attacks against nations such as Venezuela and Iran in violation of international law, imposed sanctions on Akane and others and displayed a flagrant leaning toward the “rule of force,” both militarily and economically.
If Japan truly takes the rule of law seriously, it must coordinate with Europe and other nations to restrain Trump's reckless behavior.
In the prime minister's speech, it was natural to tout “consistent support” for international courts, including the ICC, as a general principle of Japanese diplomacy, but in order to carry out the principle, action is essential. Shouldn't Takaichi have gone a bit further and pointed out the growing danger posed by U.S. high-handedness?
In a press conference, Takaichi merely stated that, during a U.S.-Japan summit meeting with Trump before her speech, the two had engaged in a “frank exchange of views” on the ICC, but she did not provide any clear details about the discussion. It is extremely regrettable that she did not leverage the opportunity to directly request that the U.S. repeal the sanctions on Akane and others.
U.S. media report that the Trump administration is already preparing to impose broader sanctions on the ICC itself. If the sanctions, which had been limited to individuals such as Akane, are broadened to target the ICC itself, the court’s ability to function could be further harmed.
Up until now, the Japanese government has over time “repeatedly attempted to urge the U.S. at various levels”* but has not been able to prevent sanctions against Akane and others. Whether Japan will press the U.S. to lift the sanctions and prevent their expansion — and whether those efforts will produce results — is questionable.
Even if it is difficult to get Trump to understand the rule of law and the significance of the ICC, there is no other way besides persistently attempting to persuade him. Suppressing advocacy for fear of provoking resentment is the same as promoting “the rule of force.” Japanese diplomacy should focus on how to balance maintaining relations with the U.S. and international cooperation.
*Editor’s note: This quote, though accurately translated, could not be independently verified.
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