Japan’s former defense chief urges PM to challenge US sanctions on ICC president

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share

TOKYO (AP) — A former Japanese defense minister on Friday described a U.S. decision to sanction the International Criminal Court and its Japanese president as an outright attack on the rules-based international order.

Gen Nakatani, a veteran lawmaker in the governing party, urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to protest more firmly and demand that the U.S. withdraw the measures.

Nakatani said there is no reason for the ICC and its president, Tomoko Akane , to come under U.S. “political coercion and sanctions.”