Photo/Illutration Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court (Taken from the International Criminal Court website)

BRUSSELS—Tomoko Akane was elected as the first Japanese president of the International Criminal Court to lead the tribunal during a crucial period as allegations of war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza continue to mount.

On March 11, judges at the court picked Akane to replace Piotr Hofmanski of Poland as ICC president for a three-year term.

The ICC, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, prosecutes individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other violations of international law.

A native of Aichi Prefecture, Akane started her career in Japan as a prosecutor in 1982. She has been serving as a judge at the ICC since 2018.

“At this challenging time for the court, stable, collaborative and unified leadership is required,” Akane said in an ICC announcement released on March 11.

She said she will focus on “reinforcing the dialogue” with state parties and countries that have not yet ratified the Rome Statute, a treaty that established the ICC.

In a statement on March 11, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said, “The ICC’s role is becoming increasingly important. The fact that Akane has been elected as its first Japanese president shows the high regard she is held in and is of great significance.” 

In March last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of his aides on suspicion of war crimes.

The court found them responsible for the Russian military’s unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

Russia is not a member of the court.

The Investigative Committee of Russia retaliated by putting Akane and the other judges who heard the case, along with the ICC’s chief prosecutor, on a wanted list.

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