Press Releases
Nomination of Mr. YAMAUCHI Yoshimitsu,
Director for United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime
and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI),
and Ambassador for International Judicial Cooperation,
as a Candidate for the Election of International Criminal Court (ICC) Judges
November 21, 2025
- On November 21, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, announced at the Cabinet Meeting that the Government of Japan has nominated Mr.YAMAUCHI Yoshimitsu, Director, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) and Ambassador for International Judicial Cooperation, who is a leading expert in the field of criminal justice, as a candidate for the election of ICC judges to be held at the end of 2026.
- The role of the ICC, the first permanent international criminal court in history, has become increasingly important for the eradication and prevention of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, and for the thorough enforcement of the rule of law.
- Since becoming a State Party to the ICC in 2007, Japan has been continuously producing judges and has been actively contributing to the ICC's activities. The election of a Japanese ICC judge in the upcoming election would demonstrate Japan's proactive efforts in the development of international criminal law and humanitarian law, and would contribute to promoting the rule of law in the international community, which Japan attaches great importance.