President Tomoko Akane of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Delivers Lecture at Keio University

On June 12, Judge Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), visited Keio University and signed, on the ICC's behalf, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Keio University and the ICC. The MoU is expected to create opportunities for practical guidance through the dispatch of Keio students as interns, as well as promote the exchange of expertise and experience between Keio faculty members and the ICC. In doing so, the agreement is also expected to expand opportunities for Keio students to work in international criminal justice and international organizations, and promote exchanges in research on international criminal law, criminal law, international law, international politics, international relations, and other related fields.

On the same day, President Akane delivered a lecture at Mita Campus to commemorate the signing of the MoU.

President Akane is the first Japanese person to be elected as the president of the ICC and she assumed her position in March this year. She delivered a lecture titled, "Can the ICC Contribute to the Development of International Criminal Justice? How Should Japan and Japanese People Engage Themselves?" to an audience of 200 participants, including many Keio students. She pointed out the role and function that the ICC should fulfill as the only permanent international criminal court amidst an increasingly tense global order. She also emphasized the importance of the rule of law in the international community. Following that, a discussion was held between President Akane and Professor Philipp Osten from the Faculty of Law, where they discussed in greater detail the issues raised by President Akane in her lecture, particularly, the legislative challenges faced by Japan regarding the domestic implementation of international core crimes, educating professionals in the field of international criminal justice, and the plan to open a Tokyo office for the ICC, among other topics. During the Q&A session, many students with an interest in international justice raised their hands to pose questions. In response, President Akane answered each of their questions thoroughly, and offered words of encouragement to inspire and motivate them.

Photographer: Aki Takematsu