August 20, 2026

The U.S. Trump administration announced on August 18 that it has designated the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Akane Tomoko, as a target of sanctions. Asked for a comment from reporters the following day at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Takaichi simply stated that she found the decision “very unfortunate,” but did not mention whether she would call for the sanctions to be lifted.

The Japanese government has consistently supported the ICC based on its commitment to the “rule of law.” However, PM Takaichi, who always caters to President Trump, was unable to call for the sanctions to be withdrawn. Japan has once again exposed its subservience to the United States.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira at a rally held near the Diet building on August 19 criticized the U.S. administration’s sanctions against ICC President Akane for trampling on the rule of law. Koike added, “PM Takaichi should lodge a strong protest with the U.S. administration and demand that the sanctions be retracted.”

The U.S. Trump administration has repeatedly attacked the ICC in defense of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who was indicted by the ICC. In July of this year, the administration launched a campaign to “dismantle” the ICC, pressuring member governments to withdraw from the Rome Statute.

Past related article:
> JCP Yamazoe: Japan should protest Rubio’s announcement of campaign to dismantle ICC [July 17, 2026]