Japan Voices Regret over U.S. Sanctions on ICC Chief

Tokyo, Aug. 19 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government Wednesday expressed regret over a decision by the United States to impose sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan.

The U.S. sanctions against Akane are "deeply regrettable," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

"We will respond while continuing to communicate closely with the United States and other countries involved," the prime minister said.

The government also voiced disappointment over Washington's sanctions announced Tuesday in a statement issued by Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura earlier Wednesday.

"Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law," the statement said.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]