International Law and Treaties
Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and H.E. Judge Hofmanski, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
January 11, 2024
On January 11, commencing at 2:30 p.m. local time(10:30 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 H.E. Judge Piotr Hofmanski, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The overview is as follows. At the beginning of the meeting, Judge Hofmanski expressed his sympathy for the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and Minister Kamikawa conveyed her gratitude.
- After receiving the welcoming address from Judge Hofmanski, Minister Kamikawa expressed Japan’s resolve to contribute to promoting the “rule of law” in the international community for peace as well as upholding and reinforcing “human dignity”. Also, 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.”
- Minister Kamikawa reaffirmed Japan’s unwavering support for the ICC, including its largest financial contribution, its record of having produced Japanese judges including Judge AKANE Tomoko and dispatching prosecutors, as well as its contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) for supporting the victims of conflict-related sexual violence, which is in line with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Also, she conveyed Japan’s decision to contribute to the newly established Special Fund for Security to respond to cyber-attacks against the ICC, and stressed that Japan will continue to provide support and assistance to the ICC’s efforts. In response, Judge Hofmanski extended his deep appreciation for Japan’s support and assistance to the ICC, which are mainly financial and human resource contributions.
- Both sides concurred to further enhance collaboration and cooperation between Japan and the ICC in order to increase the number of States Parties to the Rome Statute, and confirmed that they will jointly explore ways to promote the ICC, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Minister Kamikawa introduced the achievements of JICA and the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) in supporting the development of legal systems and human resource in Africa and beyond, and both sides confirmed that they would enhance their collaboration and cooperation in these areas as well. Also, both sides shared the view to cooperate with each other to increase the number of Japanese personnel in the ICC.