Japan Govt Rapped for Weak Response to U.S. Sanctions on ICC Head

Tokyo, Aug. 25 (Jiji Press)–A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers has criticized the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for its weak response to U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan. “Japan’s response to the sanctions is far weaker than those shown by other countries,” the group said in a statement adopted at its general meeting Monday to denounce the U.S. action. The group also criticized Takaichi’s remark that the sanctions are “very regrettable” as being insufficient. In the statement, the group demanded that the Japanese government lodge a protest to the United States, urge the country to immediately withdraw the sanctions and express Tokyo’s full support for the ICC. Noting that “(the word) ‘regrettable’ is merely an expression of opinion, not a statement of one’s will,” the statement said, “What is needed is the will of Japan.” Furthermore, the group said, “The Japan-U.S. alliance will lose its value as its core foundations if it remains silent over (the violation of) the rule of law.” Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference Monday, “The Japanese government will provide necessary support for ICC President Akane while continuing communicating with her.” “All I can say is that we will provide necessary support for her,” the top government spokesman said in response to the criticisms of the government’s weak response. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]