ICC President Akane Tomoko Warns of Global Rule of Law Collapse
US sanctions threaten to paralyze the International Criminal Court and its vital operations.
1Institutional Crisis at the ICC
International Criminal Court President Akane Tomoko warns that the institution faces its greatest existential threat. Following the issuance of arrest warrants for high-profile political leaders, the court is now subject to severe US sanctions. Akane argues that these measures jeopardize the global rule of law and the future of international justice.
2Escalation of Targeted Sanctions
The conflict intensified after the ICC issued warrants for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. While initial sanctions targeted individual judges and prosecutors, the scope expanded in late 2026. Following the Nobel Peace Prize announcement for Navi Pillay, the United States imposed direct sanctions on the ICC as an entire organization.
3Operational Risks and Paralyzation
Sanctions threaten to sever the court's access to essential banking services and information technology systems. Akane notes that without these services, the ICC cannot pay staff or transfer funds to field offices in Ukraine and Africa. The loss of US-provided IT infrastructure could effectively halt the storage of critical electronic evidence.
4Member States' Slow Response
Akane expresses deep concern over the lack of decisive action from the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute. Despite Japan being the largest contributor, providing 14.7 percent of the 2025 budget, member states have been slow to defend the court. She warns that this hesitation emboldens powers to disregard international norms.
5Historical Context of the Court
Established in 2002, the ICC draws its legal foundation from the post-WWII Nuremberg and Tokyo trials. Unlike the International Court of Justice, which mediates state disputes, the ICC prosecutes individuals for war crimes. It currently employs approximately 1,000 staff members dedicated to upholding universal norms of international criminal law.
6The Shift to Rule of Force
Akane warns that if the ICC is destroyed by major powers, the international community risks transitioning from a rule of law to a rule of force. She emphasizes that the court serves as a beacon of hope for victims of war, and its collapse would signal a dangerous regression in global governance.
7Advocacy Through Published Literature
In her 2025 book, Fighting War Crimes, Akane details the mounting pressures on the court and the necessity of its independence. She argues that integrity and neutrality are fundamental to the court's mission. The book serves as both a professional memoir and a passionate plea for global unity in protecting justice.
8Urgent Call for Global Defense
The ICC stands at a critical juncture where its survival depends on collective international support. Akane urges all nations to stand firm against political interference to prevent the disintegration of the global legal order. The failure to act now could permanently weaken the mechanisms designed to hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.
Original article: Nippon.com — ICC President Akane Tomoko Warns of Global Rule of Law Collapse