Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Japan Reaffirms ICC Support as Trump Attacks Court at UN
Japan’s prime minister spoke at the United Nations about why international rules and courts are important.
She said Japan supports the International Criminal Court, or ICC.
The United States has sanctioned the Japanese official who leads that court.
Japan disagrees with those sanctions, but the prime minister did not directly attack the United States in her speech.
US President Donald Trump criticized the ICC and said countries should leave it.
Japan also warned that conflicts and competition are making the world less stable.
Takaichi discussed North Korea’s weapons programs and problems affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
She said Japan wants stronger energy cooperation and changes to make the UN Security Council better reflect the modern world.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s support for the International Criminal Court and the rule of law in her first United Nations General Assembly address.
Takaichi avoided directly criticizing the United States, despite US sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, which Japan has called incompatible with its position.
US President Donald Trump attacked the ICC in his own UN speech and urged member states to leave the court.
Takaichi said the post-Cold War era of stability had ended, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, geopolitical competition and Security Council paralysis.
She also raised concerns about North Korea, tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, regional energy security and reform of the UN Security Council.
- Who
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, US President Donald Trump, the International Criminal Court and its president, Tomoko Akane.
- What
- Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s support for the ICC, international judicial institutions and the rule of law while Trump criticized the court.
- When
- Tuesday, September 22.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- Japan says international law and multilateral institutions are important amid conflicts, geopolitical competition and pressure on the global order.
Support for the International Criminal Court
Opposition to the International Criminal Court
Role of the ICC
Support for the International Criminal Court
Japan reaffirmed its support for the ICC as part of its commitment to international law and judicial institutions.
Opposition to the International Criminal Court
Donald Trump attacked the ICC and called on all member states to leave the court.
US sanctions on ICC leadership
Support for the International Criminal Court
Japan has described US sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane as incompatible with its position and has urged Washington not to impose them.
Opposition to the International Criminal Court
The United States imposed sanctions on Akane; the article does not give the US government’s detailed justification for the measures.
Public criticism of the United States
Support for the International Criminal Court
Takaichi addressed Japan’s support for international institutions without directly criticizing the United States in her UN speech.
Opposition to the International Criminal Court
Trump used his own UN speech to openly criticize the ICC.
- Japan’s position
- Japan said it consistently supports international judicial institutions, including the ICC, the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
- ICC sanctions
- The United States imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the Japanese national serving as ICC president; Japan has urged Washington not to impose them.
- Trump’s position
- Donald Trump attacked the ICC in his UN speech and called on member states to leave the court.
- Ukraine
- Takaichi described Russia’s war in Ukraine as the clearest example of attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion.
- North Korea
- Takaichi called North Korea’s nuclear, missile and cyber programs a serious threat and urged complete denuclearization.
- Energy security
- Japan plans cooperation with Gulf countries and launched POWERR Asia to strengthen regional energy and resource security.
- UN reform
- Takaichi said the Security Council’s structure reflects 1945 and no longer represents current global realities.