March 29, 2007 Osamu Niikura, Mitsunori Ueki Japanese Network for the ICC (JNICC) World Federalist Movement of Japan (WFMJ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Welcoming the Action Taken by the House of Representatives Paving the Way to Accession to the Rome Statute (Tokyo, 29 March 2007) - Today, the House of Representatives (the lower house) of the National Diet of Japan has approved accession to the Rome Statute of the International Court and passed the Laws Concerning Cooperation with the International Criminal Court, which were approved by the Cabinet on February 27 of this year. We also note that the budget for next fiscal year appropriating the funds necessary for making assessed contributions to the International Criminal Court upon Japan’s ratification has already been approved by the Diet as well. Ensuing approval and passing of these legislations by the House of Councilors (the upper house) would signify that the Hundred Sixty Sixth Diet of Japan has made loud and clear its intention to join the first permanent international criminal court that has become a landmark achievement of modern humanity. Looking back, the International Criminal Court (hereinafter “the Court”) was born out of the need to reflect on the scourge of two world wars during the first half of the twentieth century. The international community contemplated for a mechanism to bring those individuals that commit serious international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes to justice. To establish a fair and effective mechanism to address these individuals regardless of them being a perpetrator or its superior, the international community came to a consensus to adopt the Rome Statute for the Establishment of the International Criminal Court in 1998. The Rome Statute came into force in 2002 when 60 ratifications were achieved. Then, eighteen distinguished judges were selected with careful consideration for regional and gender proportionality. The Court is currently engaged in diligent investigations on four situations, of which the situation in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Congo has culminated to a decision to hold the first trial against Mr. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. We must recognize that this is an important development signifying the eradication of the culture of impunity to instead give birth to a “culture of responsibility.” The International Criminal Court will be instrumental in promoting our national Human Security policy, one of Japan’s fundamental foreign policies. The Court’s institutions, such as the Trust Fund for Victims, would provide a meaningful reference in the search for a new criminal justice system in Japan that would incorporate the new practice of providing redress for victims in criminal proceedings. We strongly expect our government to continue with its support in the development of the Court in spite of its accession through financial and human resource contributions as well as by joining the Agreement of Privileges and Immunities of the Court, know as the APIC. We also expect that our government would set an example to promote universal ratification in Asia so as to reinforce support for the Court in the Asian region, which is least represented in the Court’s mechanism Lastly, the Japanese government should prepare itself to actively participate and contribute in the various dialogues concerning the Crimes of Aggression, which is to be discussed in the coming review conference on the Rome Statute. In doing so, the government should seek consultation from the civil society so as to better facilitate its preparation for the coming years. MITSUNORI UEKI, Co-representative President, World Federalist Movement of Japan OSAMU NIIKURA, Co-representative President, Japanese Lawyers International Solidarity Association (JALISA) International Contact TAKAHIRO KATSUMI, International Communications and Media Liaison Foreign Policy Aide, Office of Senator Tadashi Inuzuka, The National Diet of Japan
