Japan is closely watching with concern the U.S. government¡¯s plan to urge signatories to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tuesday.

Japan has ¡°consistently supported the ICC¡± from the standpoint of promoting the eradication of serious crimes and upholding the rule of law, Kihara said at a news conference.

The comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday announced that the U.S. government would urge ICC member states to withdraw from the court, saying that the court is threatening U.S. sovereignty.

Japan¡¯s Tomoko Akane currently serves as president of the ICC.

In January, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with Akane at the Prime Minister¡¯s Office in Tokyo and affirmed cooperation in ensuring the rule of law.

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