Trump sanctions ICC, Japan expresses concern, Rubio: U.S. sovereignty is threatened

(Central News Agency, Washington, 10th Comprehensive Foreign News Report) Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi had a phone call with US Secretary of State Rubio on the evening of the 10th, Japan time, to convey Japan's position on Trump's sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the United States. Rubio said that this was "the result of the ICC's bad behavior that threatens the sovereignty of the United States."

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Kyodo News, Mainichi Shimbun, and Sankei Shimbun reported that the Trump administration in the United States announced on the 9th that it would list the ICC itself as a target of sanctions. Motegi had phone calls with ICC President Tomoko Akane and Marco Rubio on the evening of the 10th Japan time.

The report pointed out that the call between Motegi and Rubio lasted about 15 minutes. Motegi told Rubio that Japan has always attached great importance to the rule of law in the international community, and the two sides agreed to continue close communication.

The U.S. State Department also released a summary of the call between the two on the 10th, saying that Rubio proposed to Motegi the need to sanction the ICC, saying that this was due to "the ICC's egregious behavior that threatens U.S. sovereignty."

Prior to this, Motegi and Akane spoke on the phone for about 15 minutes. The details of the call have not been made public. According to reports, the two parties exchanged views on the operational direction and follow-up countermeasures of the ICC after sanctions. Japan should have expressed its stance of continuing to support the ICC.

During the call, the two sides also discussed the case of a US Marine stationed in Okinawa who was arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder. According to reports, the suspect belonged to the Marine Corps stationed at Futenma Airport, and the woman was killed in a hotel in Naha City. Motegi once again expressed regret and the two sides agreed to launch Japan-US consultations on taking effective measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

The U.S. stated that Rubio expressed "heartfelt condolences" to the murdered Japanese and said it would fully cooperate with the investigation by the Japanese government and local authorities. Both sides also agreed to continue to coordinate closely in preparation for the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

In addition, according to Kyodo News, the Bureau of the ICC Assembly of States Parties issued a statement on the 10th, demanding that the United States "immediately lift" sanctions. The Bureau is elected by the Assembly of States Parties, which is composed of 125 states parties. A total of 21 countries, Japan is also one of the members.