English – 国際刑事司法研究所

Center for International Criminal Justice

Advancing Independent Research, Education and International Dialogue

The Center for International Criminal Justice (CICJ) at Keio University is an independent academic center dedicated to research, education and international dialogue on international criminal justice.

Bringing together scholars, practitioners, students and international partners, the Center promotes rigorous legal scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration and regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Why International Criminal Justice? Why CICJ?

International criminal justice seeks to hold individuals accountable for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes through the rule of law. Yet its development cannot be achieved by international courts alone. It depends equally on rigorous legal scholarship, critical inquiry, sustained international dialogue, and the education of future scholars and practitioners.

Recognising this need, Keio University established the Center for International Criminal Justice (CICJ) as an independent academic institution dedicated to advancing international criminal justice through research, education and international cooperation.

Guided by Keio University’s founding principle of Independence and Self-Respect (Dokuritsu Jison), the Center values academic independence, objectivity and intellectual integrity. Rather than assuming any particular institutional or political position, it provides a forum for examining both the achievements and the challenges of international criminal justice through open academic dialogue and rigorous legal analysis.

Through research, education and international cooperation, CICJ seeks to strengthen the intellectual foundations of international criminal justice, promote academic dialogue between the Asia-Pacific region and the wider international community, and foster the next generation of scholars and practitioners.

OUR MISSION

Dialogue

To promote sustained dialogue across legal systems, disciplines and regions.

Research

To advance rigorous legal research on international criminal law and international criminal justice.

Education

To foster the next generation of scholars and practitioners.

WHAT WE DO

Office of the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network (APN)
Research
Education
Public Lectures
Seminars

ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice (APN)

CICJ serves as the Office of the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice (APN), a university-led regional network promoting dialogue, education and cooperation on international criminal justice.

The Network connects universities, practitioners and international organisations across the Asia-Pacific region.

News

The International Bar Association (IBA) will hold an in-person seminar in Tokyo on 15 October 2026. The ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice (APN), for which CICJ serves as the Office, is a supporter of the event. CICJ Director Philipp Osten will speak on the panel on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The seminar brings together experts from the legal profession, international organisations, academia, government and civil society. The first panel will examine the Register of Damage, the Claims Commission and the Compensation Fund; the second will address the Special Tribunal.

Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026, 12:30–16:00 (JST)
Venue: Hitotsubashi Hall, Conference Rooms 1–4 (2F, National Center of Sciences Building, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Language: English and Japanese (simultaneous interpretation)
Admission: Free; advance registration required (closes 13 October 2026)
Registration and programme: https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2940
Organiser: International Bar Association
Supporters: Human Rights for the Future; ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice (APN); Japan Federation of Bar Associations; Taiwan Bar Association; Tokyo Bar Association; Truth Hounds

2026.09.21 Media Coverage Alterna, ‘ICCや赤根所長を支えるために日本にできること：慶大オステン教授に聞く’ [What Japan Can Do to Support the ICC and President Akane: An Interview with Professor Osten of Keio University]

It is with deep concern that we note the latest sanctions announced by the Government of the United States against President Tomoko Akane of the International Criminal Court (ICC)—who has provided invaluable support and cooperation in the establishment of our Center—and staff members of the Office of the Prosecutor.

The ICC is the only permanent international judicial institution mandated to prosecute the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, including crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes. We are deeply concerned about the impact that these measures may have on the ICC’s judicial activities.

Notwithstanding these circumstances, our Center remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the dissemination of international criminal law and further strengthening international criminal justice in the Asia-Pacific region through research, education, and dialogue.

August 21, 2026

Philipp Osten

Director, Center for International Criminal Justice
ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network Office

2026.09.11 Media Coverage Bunshun, ‘【なぜICCは攻撃されるのか】赤根所長と旧知の教授が語る’ [Why Is the ICC Under Attack? A Professor Who Has Long Known President Akane Speaks]

2026.09.01 Media Coverage Alterna, ‘米政権のICC制裁「赤根所長にとどまらないおそれ」と慶大オステン教授’ [US Sanctions on the ICC “May Not Stop at President Akane”, Says Keio’s Professor Osten]

Past News

HISTORY

12 June 2024

ICC President Tomoko Akane delivered a lecture at Keio University, after which the University and the ICC concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on academic exchange and research cooperation, including the placement of student interns.

27-28 November 2025

The ICC, with the support of the EU and in cooperation with Keio University, organized the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Forum at Keio University. The Forum was attended by participants from across the region, including former ICC Judge Chang-ho Chung. At the Forum, all participants agreed that Keio University would serve as the ICC focal point and coordinating institution for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

4 March 2026

In cooperation with the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), the Center hosted a lecture by former ICC Judge Bertram Schmitt.

17-19 March 2026

The ICC hosted the Focal Points Retreat of the Network at the seat of the Court in The Hague. Discussions focused on strengthening academic engagement with the Court’s mandate and developing joint research and exchange initiatives as well as collaborative activities.

April 2026

Keio University began preparations for the establishment of the Center for International Criminal Justice within its Faculty of Law.

26 June 2026

The official opening ceremony of the Center was held at Keio University's Mita Campus.

26–27 November 2026

The Second ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Forum will be held at Keio University's Mita Campus.

PARTNERS

Keio University
International Criminal Court
UNAFEI
Partner Universities
Partner Institutions

PARTNERSHIP & SUPPORT

The Center welcomes collaboration with universities, international organisations, governments, foundations and individuals who share our commitment to advancing international criminal justice.