Japan Emphasizes Role of ICC: Foreign Min. Motegi

Tokyo, Aug. 24 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the importance of the International Criminal Court, in a video message to a meeting of Asian and African officials in Tokyo on Monday. Motegi did not mention the sanctions imposed last week by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan. The ministry did not disclose when the message was recorded. “Japan attaches great importance to the role of international judicial institutions in the peaceful settlement of disputes and the maintenance of legal order, and has been actively engaged in strengthening these institutions,” Motegi said in the video. “Our collective efforts are reflected in the presidency of both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court being held by Japanese judges,” he also said. “As the international order that we have built is under an array of challenges, we are living in a critically important era that will determine whether the international community as a whole can defend a free and open international order based on the rule of law,” the minister noted. The meeting marked the opening of the Tokyo International Law Seminar, an international law training event hosted by the ministry. The seminar will run until Friday, featuring lectures by researchers. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]