Japan to Field Iwasawa as Candidate for ICJ Judge

Tokyo, Feb. 23 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government said Friday that it will put forward Yuji Iwasawa, professor at the University of Tokyo, as its candidate for election as a judge at the Hague-based International Court of Justice. The voting will take place following the retirement in June of Japan's Hisashi Owada, who is the father of Crown Princess Masako. Iwasawa, 63, who specializes in international law, has served in posts including judge on the Asian Development Bank's Administrative Tribunal and refugee examination counselor for the Japanese Justice Ministry. "Iwasawa is an authority on international law and has a great deal of experience," Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference the same day. "As a country that emphasizes the rule of law, we believe the continued contribution of a Japanese judge to the ICJ is crucial," he added. END