Press Conference: Gen Nakatani, Member of the House of Representatives, LDP

PRESS CONFERENCE
Japan's Weak Response to U.S. Sanctions
Gen Nakatani, Member of the House of Representatives, LDP 
11:00-12:00 Friday, September 4, 2026
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

In August, the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court including its president, Tomoko Akane, a judge from Japan. While European nations condemned the move, Japan's response was muted, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi initially calling the sanctions "very unfortunate."

She has come under criticism for failing to take a more forceful stance against the move by the administration of U.S. President Trump. Japan has been the largest financial contributor to the court, and it routinely cites the "rule of law" as a pillar of its foreign policy and security strategy. Critics say she failed to stand up for international legal norms when they come under assault by Japan's main security ally.

A leading voice for a more independent response has been Gen Nakatani, a former defense minister and senior member of Takaichi's own Liberal Democratic Party who now leads the Nonpartisan Parliamentary Association for Reconsidering Human Rights Diplomacy. This cross-party coalition of lawmakers, which includes a former prime minister and other leading members of the governing LDP, seeks a formal diplomatic protest to Washington and a demand for the immediate withdrawal of the sanctions.

Nakatani will come to the FCCJ to discuss the controversy, the future of Japan's "rule of law" diplomacy, and his nation's ability to show more autonomy from an ally that has defied international norms.

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/R3Fcoq3KDQdk3SWUA      

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.

Professional Activities Committee