State Minister for Foreign Affairs NAKASONE received a courtesy call from a delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence, which was visiting Japan. Both sides concurred on strengthening cooperation—including in the defence industry and technology and innovation fields—based on the Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership, and to further deepen the strategic cooperation between Japan and the EU.

The United States has decided to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) itself. Japan has consistently attached great importance to upholding the rule of law in the international community and supports international courts and tribunals that play a role in this regard, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICC, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The measures are incompatible with Japan's consistent position, and Japan is deeply concerned about them. At the same time, in order for the ICC to fulfill its role and functions as originally envisaged and to gain the trust of the international community as a universal court, it is important that the ICC and its States Parties address the challenges facing the Court, so that the Court is administered appropriately. As a State Party, Japan will continue to steadily fulfill its role, participating in relevant discussions. Furthermore, in light of Japan's position, we have exchanged views with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and agreed to maintain close communication going forward. Even in these difficult circumstances, we will continue to reach out to the United States, maintain communication with President Akane of the ICC as well as related countries, and work toward strengthening the rule of law in the international community.

The Government of Japan decided to provide an Emergency Grant of USD 3.5 million in response to the earthquake disaster in Venezuela. With this Emergency Grant, the Government of Japan will provide humanitarian assistance in key sectors, including food, health and medical care, shelters and non-food items through the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).