The Japanese government has issued a formal protest following reports that the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has requested the extradition of International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national, along with eight other ICC officials. The request, directed at Dutch authorities, is part of a broader Russian campaign targeting ICC leadership following the court's issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A senior Japanese government spokesperson characterized the Russian move as "regrettable." The Japanese government stated that it has repeatedly communicated to Moscow that any measures targeting individuals associated with the ICC are considered both unfair and unacceptable. Japan’s stance emphasizes its support for the court's independence and the protection of its officials from retaliatory legal actions initiated by foreign states.

While the SCMP report focuses on Japan's diplomatic pushback, the broader context involves a standoff between the Kremlin and the Hague-based court. Russia has previously placed several ICC officials on its wanted list in response to the court's investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The Dutch government, which hosts the ICC, has not yet publicly detailed its response to the specific extradition request, but international legal norms generally protect the immunity of court officials. The situation remains a point of diplomatic tension, as Japan continues to advocate for the safety of its citizen currently serving as the head of the international tribunal.