ICC President Tomoko Akane announced that she would remain in office after the United States imposed sanctions on her and senior officials of the court. Akane spoke at an online event organized by a civil society organization in Tokyo.
Describing the sanctions as “a threat to judges and the principle of impartiality,” Akane said she would not abandon her convictions despite the developments.
Akane said she considered attempts by external powers to pressure the judiciary illegal and unacceptable. She said her colleagues continued to perform their duties despite believing that their lives were at risk.
“The ICC is the last bastion of the rule of law in the world. Its continued existence depends on the support and assistance of people around the world,” Akane said.
US sanctions against ICC officials
Akane, who assumed the presidency of the Hague-based ICC in March 2024, became the first Japanese national to hold the position.
On November 21, 2024, the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
Following the decision, the United States placed ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan on its sanctions list in June 2025. In August 2025, the US administration imposed sanctions on four more ICC members, citing their positions against Israel.
On August 18, the US administration also added Akane and Abdoulaye Seye, one of the court’s senior officials, to its sanctions list.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the ICC and called on allied countries to withdraw from the court.
