The president of the International Criminal Court is seeking widespread understanding and support for the activities of the court to establish the rule of law in the international community.
Akane Tomoko spoke on Friday at a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.
The judge became the first Japanese to helm the court in March. This is her first visit to Japan since then.
The ICC has been working to hold national leaders and others accountable for alleged war crimes and other offenses over such conflicts as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Sizing up the situation, Akane said conflicts are taking place in many parts of the world, including major countries, and war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed.
The judge said it is a difficult time for the court to carry out its mission to uphold the rule of law and put an end to impunity for perpetrators.
She noted the various political pressures placed on the ICC. Russia has put ICC officials on its wanted list over an arrest warrant issued by the court for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Akane said every ICC official and judge is carrying out their duties every day determined not to buckle under such pressures.
She noted that political pressures can be deterred by making people aware that the ICC is an independent and impartial court whose decisions should be respected. She added that Japan, which advocates for the rule of law, also has a prominent role to play.