Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed "deep concern" regarding the Donald Trump administration's sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a message posted on social media today (October 10), Prime Minister Takaichi stated, "Japan consistently values the rule of law in the international community and supports the ICC in fulfilling its role," adding, "This measure does not align with Japan's consistent stance, and I express deep concern."

This message was posted shortly after the Trump administration announced high-intensity sanctions against the ICC, which came right after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge.

Prime Minister Takaichi did not issue an immediate reaction back in August when the United States announced personal sanctions against ICC officials, including Japanese national Akane Tomoko, the President of the ICC.

At the time, when questioned by reporters the day after the sanctions against President Akane and others were announced, she only remarked that she thought it was "very regrettable." Failing to actively protest to the United States, she faced fierce criticism from the Japanese opposition and media, who accused her of "walking on eggshells around the U.S."

In her latest post, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "As agreed in the recent U.S.-Japan summit, we will maintain close communication between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to continuously convey our views to the U.S. side."

She added, "While continuing communication with President Akane and relevant countries, we will provide necessary support so that the ICC can fully perform its original roles and functions."

Prime Minister Takaichi's stance is drawing further attention as it comes right after the Trump administration stated upon announcing the ICC sanctions that it expects cooperation from its allies.

While the United States did not specify any particular country, it used the phrase "allies that rely on the U.S. military for defense," suggesting that Japan, where a large number of U.S. troops are stationed, could be one of the target countries.

Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Takaichi has prioritized support and backing for the ICC over cooperation with the sanctions.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki, the Japanese government's deputy spokesperson, expressed regret during a press conference the previous day regarding the Russian Prosecutor General's Office requesting the extradition of President Akane and others to countries including the Netherlands, where the ICC headquarters is located.

He stated that Japan would "respond appropriately," including lodging protests with the Russian side.

Meanwhile, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, mentioned in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun following the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize for former Judge Pillay that ICC President Akane and other officials are facing sanctions from the U.S. government, emphasizing that "this choice of laureates is a message that the sanctions must stop."

Chair Frydnes said, "This peace prize is also for the judges who are struggling and playing a vital role to ensure international law functions properly."

Former Judge Pillay herself, in an interview with the Nikkei in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on October 8—the day before her Nobel Prize win was announced—voiced concern over political pressures facing international criminal justice, but emphasized, "However, I have witnessed major progress."

Regarding the current situation surrounding international criminal justice, including U.S. pressure, she criticized, "Imposing sanctions on judges simply because you do not like judgments involving allied nations is a grave threat to judicial independence."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)