Press Releases
Ukraine’s filing of an application instituting proceedings against Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (Indication of the Provisional Measures) (Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa)
March 17, 2022
- On 26 February, Ukraine filed an application instituting proceedings against Russia before the ICJ, contending that Russia has falsely claimed that acts of genocide have occurred in Luhansk and Donetsk of Ukraine and implemented a military operation against Ukraine. On 16 March (local time), the Court delivered the order on the provisional measures based on the request from Ukraine.
- The provisional measures include, inter alia, measures that Russia shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February 2022 in the territory of Ukraine, and ensure that any military or irregular armed units take no steps in furtherance of the military operations.
- Japan has condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms, as it clearly infringes upon Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitutes a serious violation of international law prohibiting the use of force, and is a grave breach of the United Nations Charter. Japan has also strongly urged Russia to cease the attack and withdraw its forces back to Russian territory immediately.
- The order on the provisional measures is legally binding on the parties to the dispute, and therefore, Russia is required to comply with the order. Japan supports the provisional measures order by the ICJ and strongly demands that Russia immediately comply with the order on the provisional measures.