International Criminal Court Director Tomoko Akane said the court will not be defeated by sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.

The clash represents a significant escalation between the Trump administration and the global judicial body tasked with prosecuting war crimes and genocide. The sanctions target the court's ability to operate and its leadership's personal finances.

During a press conference held on Aug. 26, 2024, at approximately 17:00 JST [2], Akane addressed the impact of the measures. She said that at least some credit cards have become unusable [1]. Despite these financial restrictions, Akane said that the work of the court continues.

The sanctions were first announced on Aug. 18, 2024 [1]. While some reports indicate the measures target Akane and other staff [1], other sources state the Trump administration sanctioned four ICC judges [3]. The U.S. government has cited alleged wrongdoing as the basis for these actions [1].

Akane criticized the response of the Japanese government, describing its stance as weak. She said that the pursuit of justice must prevail over opposing forces.

"The ICC will never lose," Akane said [1].

She said that justice must always prevail over the forces acting in opposition to it [1]. The director's remarks highlight a growing tension between national sovereignty and international legal oversight.

Akane's public address in Japan serves as both a defiance of the U.S. administration and a call for stronger support from the international community, specifically from Japan, to protect the independence of the court.

“"The ICC will never lose."”

The targeting of ICC officials with financial sanctions marks a shift in how the U.S. handles international legal disputes. By blocking personal financial tools like credit cards, the Trump administration is applying direct pressure on individuals to disrupt the court's institutional functions. This creates a precedent where international judicial officers may face personal liability for official legal proceedings, potentially chilling the willingness of global officials to pursue cases involving U.S. interests.