International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane said on Wednesday that the court would not retreat under US pressure and would continue its work even if sanctions were imposed on the institution. Akane told reporters that US sanctions imposed on her last week had prevented her from using her credit card, but said the ICC would not give up.

She said a permanent institution such as the ICC should never be shut down and that its officials would resist with all their strength. The US action follows President Donald Trump’s stated effort to effectively disable the court over investigations concerning alleged war crimes by Israeli and potentially US officials. Washington also sanctioned senior Senegalese ICC trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye last week.

Akane called for support from Japan, the ICC’s largest financial contributor, and expressed hope that Tokyo would act under US pressure. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan had a responsibility to protect such an important institution and would intervene when and where necessary. Akane said she hoped Japan would encourage less powerful member states not to yield to US pressure to leave the ICC and to remain united.