Statement by Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Re-election of Ms. Fumiko Saiga as Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

January 20, 2009

The Government of Japan welcomes the re-election of Japan’s candidate, Ms. Fumiko Saiga, Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the elections of ICC judges held at the first resumption of the seventh session of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC on January 19 (Monday) (US Eastern time).
Japan intends to actively participate in the development of international criminal law and international humanitarian law through the activities of the ICC, and also to make the utmost contribution to the ICC in terms of human resources. Japan believes that the re-election of Ms. Saiga, the first Japanese ICC Judge, is significant in that not only does it indicate the high evaluation given to her as an ICC judge but also the appreciation of other states for Japan’s enthusiastic posture towards the ICC.
Japan expects Judge Saiga to make an even greatercontribution to the ICC as the leading figure in the fields of human rights and humanitarian affairs.

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