TOKYO — Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held separate discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane to address Washington’s recent sanctions against The Hague-based tribunal and a criminal case involving a U.S. Marine in Okinawa.
During a 15-minute phone conversation on Saturday, October 10, Motegi communicated Tokyo’s deep unease to Rubio regarding the U.S. administration’s decision to place the ICC on its sanctions list. Both officials agreed to maintain ongoing communication concerning the court.
In a separate 15-minute call, Motegi and ICC President Tomoko Akane—who is a Japanese national and was targeted by U.S. measures in August—evaluated the current challenges facing the tribunal. The United States, which remains a non-member of the court, opposes the institution over sovereignty concerns, whereas Japan strongly champions international rule of law and provides continuous support to the judiciary body.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi previously expressed alarm on social media on Friday, October 9, regarding the escalating diplomatic friction.
“We will continue to reach out to the United States and extend necessary support to the ICC so that the court can fulfill its role and functions as originally envisaged,” Takaichi stated.
Aside from ICC tensions, Motegi and Rubio also addressed a recent murder-robbery incident in Okinawa Prefecture involving a U.S. Marine. The Japanese foreign minister formally conveyed Tokyo’s regret over the crime, which involved a serviceman from the Marine Corps’ Futenma air base allegedly killing a local woman in Naha and stealing her belongings.
Both nations agreed to pursue bilateral consultations to establish effective preventive measures against future crimes.