Yuji Iwasawa Named President of ICJ
Yuji Iwasawa Appointed as President of the International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced the appointment of Yuji Iwasawa as its new president, replacing Nawaf Salam, who has recently taken on the role of prime minister in Lebanon. At 70 years old, Iwasawa will lead the court until Salam’s term was set to expire on February 5, 2027, as stated by the ICJ.
Iwasawa has been a member of the court since June 2018 and brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to joining the ICJ, he served as a professor of international law at the University of Tokyo and chair of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Known as the “world court,” the ICJ, headquartered in the Peace Palace in The Hague, is responsible for resolving disputes between nations and is recognized as the United Nations’ highest court. It is important to distinguish the ICJ from the International Criminal Court, which also operates in The Hague but focuses on trying individuals for serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Currently, the ICJ is handling several high-profile cases, demonstrating the court’s significance in global affairs. As president, Iwasawa will lead the 15-judge bench and fulfill ceremonial duties like delivering speeches and representing the ICJ internationally. While the president’s role is mainly symbolic, their voice carries equal weight in judicial discussions, apart from in the case of a tie, where the president holds the deciding vote.
