International Law and Treaties
Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Mr. Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
January 11, 2024
On January 11, commencing at 3:00 p.m. local time (11:00 p.m. JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during her visit to the Netherlands, held a meeting with Mr. Karim A. A. Khan KC, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The overview is as follows.
- Expressing Japan’s view to attach importance to the “rule of law” and “human dignity,” Minister Kamikawa stated that her visit to the ICC, which is for the first time by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, is a testament to Japan’s support for the ICC’s contributions to the “rule of law” and “human dignity.” Also, stressing that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished, she referred to the importance of protection and relief for women and girls in conflict, and went on to show her respects for the efforts of Prosecutor Khan, who is responsible for investigation and prosecution at the ICC, as well as her expectations for the Prosecutor’s role.
- Prosecutor Khan welcomed the first visit to the ICC by a Japanese Foreign Minister and extended his deep appreciation for Japan’s support and assistance to the ICC. Also, he expressed his expectations for Japan’s continuous contributions, including those in terms of financial and human resource aspects.
- Minister Kamikawa highly appreciated the initiatives of Prosecutor Khan in reforming the Office of the Prosecutor and indicated that she is counting on the Prosecutor’s role. The two sides shared the view to cooperate with each other to increase the number of Japanese personnel in the ICC.
- The two sides confirmed that they will further enhance collaboration and cooperation between Japan and the ICC for the “rule of law” and “human dignity.”