Japan has described Russia’s request to extradite ICC President Tomoko Akane as regrettable, reaffirming its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid growing pressure on the institution over its investigations and arrest warrants.
Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said Friday that Tokyo had repeatedly told Moscow that measures targeting ICC officials were unfair and unacceptable.
His remarks followed reports that Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office had requested that Dutch authorities extradite Akane and eight other ICC officials, escalating tensions over the court’s work and the international response to Russia’s actions.
“We find it regrettable that the Russian side has nevertheless requested various nations to extradite these individuals,” Ozaki said during a regular news conference.
Japan Condemns Russia’s Request to Extradite ICC President Tomoko Akane
The Japanese government has expressed concern over Russia’s efforts to pursue legal action against officials connected to the ICC, stressing that such measures threaten the independence of an international judicial institution.
Ozaki said Tokyo had repeatedly communicated its objections to Moscow and would consider further diplomatic steps in response to what Japan considers an unjust measure.
“We hope to take the appropriate path of action, including issuing further protests against the Russian side regarding this unjust measure, based on continued communication with the ICC and other signatories,” he added.
The statement signals Japan’s intention to continue supporting the court through diplomatic engagement, while seeking to avoid further deterioration in its international relationships.
Japan Considers Further Diplomatic Protests Against Russia
Japan’s response reflects its broader commitment to the rule of law and international institutions. The government says it intends to maintain communication with the ICC and other signatories as it considers appropriate action.
The dispute also places Japan in a sensitive diplomatic position as it supports the court while maintaining its strategic relationship with the United States, which has also taken measures against ICC officials.
Japan’s position could become increasingly significant as international divisions deepen over the authority of the court and the consequences of its investigations.
Why Russia Wants ICC President Tomoko Akane
Akane was placed on Russia’s wanted list following the ICC’s 2023 arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
The warrant marked a major development in international efforts to pursue accountability for alleged crimes committed during the war. Moscow has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction in the matter and retaliated against officials associated with the court.
Akane and other ICC officials were subsequently tried in absentia by a Moscow court in 2025 and sentenced to prison terms, according to the report.
Russia’s latest extradition request extends that confrontation beyond its own legal system, seeking the cooperation of foreign authorities to secure the transfer of officials it has targeted.
The ICC’s Arrest Warrant Against Vladimir Putin
The ICC issued its arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 over alleged war crimes involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.
The warrant has become a focal point in the broader dispute between Moscow and the international court. Russia has challenged the action, while the ICC maintains its role in investigating and prosecuting crimes within its jurisdiction.
Akane’s position as ICC president makes the dispute particularly sensitive, as the Russian proceedings target a senior figure associated with the court’s institutional leadership.
The latest request also raises questions about how countries that support international justice will respond when ICC officials face legal pressure from governments opposed to the court’s actions.
US Sanctions Add Pressure on the International Criminal Court
The confrontation involving Russia comes amid wider pressure on the ICC from countries including the United States.
Akane has also been sanctioned by Washington following accusations that the court unfairly targeted the United States and Israel through its investigations into the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The sanctions have added another layer of complexity to Japan’s position, given its close alliance with Washington and its stated support for international legal institutions.
The issue has become a rare public point of friction between Japan and the United States, particularly over how Tokyo should respond to measures targeting ICC officials.
Takaichi Discussed the Issue With Donald Trump
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially faced criticism for not issuing a stronger condemnation of the US action, beyond describing it as “regrettable.”
However, she subsequently raised the issue directly with US President Donald Trump during a meeting in September, according to the report.
Takaichi reiterated Japan’s position during a parliamentary session on Friday, emphasising that the country would continue to support the court.
“We have consistently supported the ICC in accordance with our efforts to uphold the rule of law, and we will continue to do so,” Takaichi said.
Her statement reinforces Tokyo’s commitment to the ICC while highlighting the diplomatic challenge of balancing that position with its close security and political partnership with Washington.
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What the Dispute Means for Japan and the ICC
The dispute over Akane illustrates the growing challenges facing the ICC as it pursues investigations involving powerful political leaders and states that reject its authority.
For Japan, the issue involves more than Russia’s extradition request. It also concerns the future of international legal cooperation and the protection of officials working within institutions established to investigate serious international crimes.
Tokyo’s willingness to consider further diplomatic protests suggests that it intends to maintain its support for the court, even as pressure from major powers complicates that commitment.
The effectiveness of Japan’s response may depend on coordination with other ICC signatories and the willingness of governments to defend the institution’s independence.
The extradition request itself does not mean Akane will be transferred to Russia. Dutch authorities would have to consider the request under applicable legal procedures and obligations before any decision could be made.
The development nevertheless underscores the political and legal challenges facing the ICC as it seeks to carry out its mandate amid international disagreement.
As reported by The Japan Times, Japan has reiterated its support for the court and signalled that it may take further diplomatic action over Russia’s attempt to pursue ICC officials.
For now, Tokyo’s message is that measures targeting members of the court are unacceptable and that Japan intends to continue upholding the rule of law through its support for international justice.
