Sanctioned but defiant ICC head says Japan must counter US efforts to weaken court

On 26 August 2026, Akane, head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who is under US sanctions, urged Japan to counter US efforts to weaken the court. Akane said the court 'won't give up' and vowed to resist as much as possible, according to Al-Ahram and Asahi Shimbun. Asahi Shimbun also reported that the sanctions left Akane unable to use credit cards.

Bloomberg reported that Takaichi said Japan will 'protect' the ICC from the US push to dismantle it. Asahi Shimbun wrote that the Japanese government, conscious of the US, finds the sanctions on Akane difficult to handle.