Ten universities in Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia will establish an academic community to support the International Criminal Court's (ICC) activities. Headquartered at Keio University in Tokyo, the initiative seeks to boost ICC membership in Asia and promote the rule of law. It will begin operations in February and be formally organized in April.
Ten universities across Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia are preparing to form an academic community dedicated to supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its pursuit of war crimes. The group will assist by disseminating information, advising on national legislation, and supplying personnel to expand ICC membership in Asia. In the long term, it could evolve into an official regional ICC office.
The consortium includes five Japanese institutions—Keio University, Doshisha University, Kyoto University, Hitotsubashi University, and Utsunomiya University—along with four South Korean universities, such as Seoul National University, and Mongolia's National University. The secretariat will be based at Keio University in Tokyo. The European Union intends to offer operational funding via the ICC.
Experts in international law and war crimes will spearhead efforts to urge non-member states to join the ICC, while fostering personnel exchanges and advancing the rule of law, a core ICC principle. Judge Tomoko Akane has led the ICC as president since March 2024. Yet, only 19 of the roughly 55 countries and regions in Asia and the Pacific are members, highlighting the need for greater regional engagement. The initiative also aims to address the ICC's shortage of Asia-savvy staff.
Established in 2002 amid conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and the Rwandan genocide, the ICC prosecutes individuals for genocide and war crimes under international law. Its 125 member states must cooperate on arrests and evidence. The court is eyeing regional offices in four global locations, with the Keio-based secretariat potentially becoming Asia's hub.
