The ICC’s reality check in a multipolar world

The most recent pressure placed on the International Criminal Court forces a decision on the institution's long-term viability. | AFP-JIJI

By Masahiro Matsumura
Contributing writer

Sep 1, 2026

The Trump administration’s recent imposition of economic sanctions against Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), marks a perilous juncture for international justice. Calling on allies to reject the court’s authority and withdraw entirely, Washington’s offensive is part of a broader push to dismantle institutions tied to global governance. Yet the friction runs deeper than mere anti-globalist rhetoric.

At the heart of Washington’s outrage is the ICC’s attempt to prosecute U.S. military personnel over civilian casualties incurred during operations the United States considers legitimate self-defense — an assertion of universal jurisdiction that Washington views as an unacceptable violation of national sovereignty. The immediate trigger, however, was the ICC issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged atrocities in Gaza following Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks — an operation whose broader legitimacy Washington explicitly backs.

For Tokyo, the crisis hits close to home. Judge Akane is a former Japanese prosecutor whose leadership symbolizes Japan’s steadfast commitment to the court. Japan remains the ICC’s largest financial contributor, funding roughly 15% of its budget.

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