International Law and Treaties

Japan has been making significant and constructive contributions towards the establishment of the rule of law in the international community.

First, Japan has been placing importance on peaceful settlement of international disputes. For example, it has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), utilized the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in the "Hoshinmaru" and "Tomimaru" Cases and has been a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Furthermore, Japan has sent Japanese judges to distinguished judicial organs such as Judge IWASAWA Yuji to the ICJ, Judge YANAI Shunji to the ITLOS and Judge AKANE Tomoko to the ICC. Japan has also been one of the largest contributors to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

In addition, Japan has advocated the work relating to the progressive development and codification of international law, for example, by making constructive contributions to the discussion at diplomatic conferences on various international treaties, such as the Rome Conference on the ICC in 1998, or by submitting its views on the work of the International Law Commission (ILC) at the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Professor MURASE Shinya, Japanese member of the ILC, has been actively involved with the work of the ILC.

Moreover, Japan has actively participated in the legal discourse at regional legal consultative organizations, such as the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) (as a member) and the Committee of Legal Advisors on Public International Law of the Council of Europe (CAHDI) (as an observer).

These are some of the efforts by Japan in the realm of international law.

• Rule of Law Among Nations
• International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  • Re-election of Judge IWASAWA Yuji as Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)(Statement by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu)(November 13, 2020)
  • The Selection of Dr. Yuji Iwasawa as a Candidate for the Election of Judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2020 (February 22, 2019)
  • The Election of Professor Yuji Iwasawa as Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)(Statement by Foreign Minister Taro Kono) (June 23, 2018)
  • The Selection of Professor Yuji Iwasawa as a Candidate for the Election of a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (February 23, 2018)
  • Courtesy Visit to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from H.E. Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the International Court of Justice (July 28, 2017)
  • Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi by H.E. Judge Ronny Abraham, President of International Court of Justice (ICJ) (July 28, 2017)
  • Official Visit to Japan by H.E.Judge Ronny ABRAHAM, President of International Court of Justice (ICJ) (July 26, 2017)
  • Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Government of Japan, on International Court of Justice "Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan: New Zealand intervening)"
  • Remarks by the Agent of Japan, Koji Tsuruoka, "Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan: New Zealand intervening)" at the International Court of Justice
  • Concluding Remarks by the Agent of Japan, Mr. Koji Tsuruoka, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, "Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan : New Zealand Intervening)" at the International Court of Justice (PDF) (16 July 2013) / (Japanese)
  • Opening Statement by the Agent of Japan, Ambassador Koji Tsuruoka, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, "Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan : New Zealand Intervening)" at the International Court of Justice (2 July 2013)
  • Statement of the Agent of the Government of Japan Ambassador Koji Tsuruoka, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan) at the International Court of Justice (26 June 2013)
• ICJ and Japan (PDF)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Kamikawa by President Akane of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (August 22, 2024)
  • Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Kamikawa by President Akane of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (June 10, 2024)
  • Dialogue between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Japanese Staff of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (January 11, 2024)
  • Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Mr. Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (January 11, 2024)
  • Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and H.E. Judge Hofmanski, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (January 11, 2024)
  • Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Kishida by President Hofmański of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (October 20, 2022)
  • Japan’s contribution to The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (December 7, 2018)
  • Donation of the “Peace and Justice Bell” to the International Criminal Court (ICC) (January 24, 2017)
  • Japan’s View on the Announcements of Withdrawal by some African States from the International Criminal Court (ICC) (October 26, 2016)
• International Criminal Court Trust Fund for Victims
  • See Transnational Organized Crime.
• Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
• International Tribunal for the law of the sea (ITLOS)
  • Election of the members of ITLOS (2023)
• International Law Commission (ILC)
  • Professor ASADA Masahiko, Doshisha University, Elected to the International Law Commission (November 13, 2021)
• Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO)
  • The First Japan-AALCO Training Course on Public International Law (December 2, 2019)
  • 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (October 2, 2018)
• Committee of Legal Advisors on Public International Law (CAHDI)
• UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Human resource development in the field of international law
  • The Tokyo International Law Seminar
• Ambassador-at-Large for Cooperation on International Law (September 12, 2024)