NEWS: Abe reaffirms Japans commitment to join the ICC
October 19, 2006 TOKYO: In the Third Upper House Budget Committee of the 165th Extraordinary Diet Session held on October 13, for the first time in Japan as a clear indication made by the head of the state, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed Japan's commitment to join the ICC in 2007. Mr. Abe responded to a question thrown by his coalition partner, Sen. Uozumi of the Komeito Party on the government's commitment towards acceding to the Rome Statute. The following is JNICC's translation on the full excerpt of the official transcript (released today) on this issue:
Senator Yuichiro Uozumi:
Recently, on June 6th I believe, our internal Subcommittee on Early Accession to the ICC and the LDP's Japanese Parliamentarians for the ICC, together paid visits to all relevant ministries as well as the Prime Minister's Office to submit our jointly-signed recommendations to realize early accession to the ICC. I personally believe that norms [created by the ICC] must be firmly built in the framework of international community. And I would like to address this question to Mr. Prime Minister for your basic position on the ICC and also your commitment towards joining the ICC. Thank you.
Recently, on June 6th I believe, our internal Subcommittee on Early Accession to the ICC and the LDP's Japanese Parliamentarians for the ICC, together paid visits to all relevant ministries as well as the Prime Minister's Office to submit our jointly-signed recommendations to realize early accession to the ICC. I personally believe that norms [created by the ICC] must be firmly built in the framework of international community. And I would like to address this question to Mr. Prime Minister for your basic position on the ICC and also your commitment towards joining the ICC. Thank you.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe:
To prevent crimes of grave international concern from being committed and to provide measures against these crimes, our government has steadfastly supported the ICC for peace and security of the international community. Our ministries are currently working on drafting the necessary domestic legislations. And as a government, we intend to engage in necessary actions in order for Japan to join the Rome Statute during the year 2007, provided that we obtain approval from the Diet.
To prevent crimes of grave international concern from being committed and to provide measures against these crimes, our government has steadfastly supported the ICC for peace and security of the international community. Our ministries are currently working on drafting the necessary domestic legislations. And as a government, we intend to engage in necessary actions in order for Japan to join the Rome Statute during the year 2007, provided that we obtain approval from the Diet.
