List of Justices of the Supreme Court of Japan


The Supreme Court of Japan is the highest court in Japan, composed of fifteen justices. The Chief Justice is nominated by the Cabinet and appointed to office by the Emperor, while associate justices are appointed by the Cabinet in attestation of the Emperor. The Judiciary Act fixes the total number of justices at 15, but allows the Court itself to specify how many justices sit on a petty bench. By law, at least ten out of the fifteen justices must have either ten years of combined experience as judges, or twenty years of combined experience as judges, lawyers, or professors.
Japan's bar associations are careful to select lawyers whose terms will be shorter than those of nominated former judges. This causes quick turnover of justices, which has resulted in a perception of the Court as a "nameless, faceless judiciary."
After appointment, Supreme Court justices are subject to a "people's review": an automatic retention referendum in which the voters may remove the judge from office. A people's review occurs at the first election to the House of Representatives after a justice assumes office, when the question of whether his tenure should continue is put to voters on the ballot. The Supreme Court justice is then subject to a further people's review at the first lower house election after every ten years., no Supreme Court justice has ever been dismissed by a people's review.

Justices

This is a list of all current and former justices of the modern Supreme Court of Japan.
TitleNameTerm startTerm endTerm lengthUniversityNotes
Chief JusticeNaoto ŌtaniFebruary 17, 2015TokyoFormer judge. President, Osaka High Court
JusticeAtsushi YamaguchiFebruary 6, 2017TokyoFormer attorney; member, Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association
JusticeKiyoko OkabeApril 12, 2010March 19, 2019KeioFormer judge; professor, Keio University School of Law
JusticeTsuneyuki YamamotoAugust 20, 2013September 25, 2019KyotoCivil servant. Director-General, the Cabinet Legislation Bureau
JusticeToshimitsu YamasakiApril 1, 2014August 30, 2019TokyoFormer assistant judge; President, Tokyo High Court.
JusticeMasayuki IkegamiOctober 2, 2014TohokuFormer prosecutor, Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office.
JusticeHiroshi KoikeApril 2, 2015TokyoFormer assistant judge; President, Tokyo High Court
JusticeKatsuyuki KizawaJuly 19, 2016RikkyoFormer attorney; Inspector of Kake Educational Institution
JusticeHiroyuki KannoSeptember 5, 2016TohokuFormer judge; President, Osaka High Court
JusticeSaburo TokuraMarch 14, 2017HitotsubashiJudge; President, Tokyo High Court
JusticeKeiichi HayashiApril 10, 2017KyotoDiplomat, Ambassador to the United Kingdom
JusticeYuko MiyazakiJanuary 9, 2018TokyoProfessor, University of Tokyo
JusticeTakuya MiyamaJanuary 9, 2018TokyoJudge; President, Tokyo High Court
JusticeMamoru MiuraFebruary 26, 2018TokyoProsecutor, Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office
JusticeKoichi KusanoFebruary 13, 2019Keio
JusticeTakehiko OtaniJune 17, 2010March 9, 2017TokyoFormer judge. President, Osaka High Court.
JusticeMasaharu ŌhashiFebruary 13, 2012March 30, 2017TokyoAttorney; official in the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations
JusticeYoshinobu OnukiApril 11, 2012January 16, 2018ChuoProsecutor; professor, Asia University
JusticeKaoru OnimaruFebruary 6, 2013February 6, 2019TokyoAttorney; Chairperson of the Special Committee on the Rights of the Aged and Disabled
JusticeMichiyoshi KiuchiApril 25, 2013January 1, 2018TokyoAttorney; Chairperson of the Project Team on the Hague Convention
JusticeKatsumi ChibaDecember 28, 2009August 24, 2016TokyoJudge; President, Sendai High Court
JusticeKoji MiyakawaSeptember 3, 2008February 27, 2012NagoyaInstructor at the Legal Training and Research Institute; attorney
JusticeTokuji IzumiNovember 6, 2002January 24, 2009KyotoJudge; President, Tokyo High Court
Chief JusticeNiro ShimadaNovember 7, 2002November 21, 2008TokyoJudge; President, Osaka High Court
JusticeKazuko YokooDecember 19, 2001September 11, 2008ICUDiplomat; Ambassador of Japan to Ireland
JusticeChiharu SaiguchiJanuary 6, 2004September 2, 2008ChūōAttorney; Member, Advisory Committee on Civil Rules of the Supreme Court
JusticeOsamu TsunoFebruary 26, 2004October 19, 2008KyotoBureaucrat; attorney; Director-General, Cabinet Legislation Bureau
JusticeShigeo TakiiJune 11, 2002October 30, 2006KyotoAttorney
JusticeKohei NasuMay 25, 2006February 10, 2012TokyoAttorney; Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Research of Japan Law Foundation
JusticeYoshiki YamauraMarch 1, 2012July 3, 2016Hitotsubashi
Chief JusticeItsuro TeradaDecember 27, 2012January 8, 2018TokyoJudge; son of 10th Chief Justice Jiro Terada.
JusticeYuu ShirakiJanuary 15, 2010February 14, 2015
JusticeTomoyuki YokotaJanuary 6, 2010October 1, 2014Chuo
JusticeMasahiko SudoDecember 28, 2009December 26, 2012Chuo
JusticeSeishi KanetsukiJanuary 26, 2009March 31, 2015TokyoJudge; former President, Osaka High Court.
Chief JusticeHironobu TakesakiNovember 25, 2008March 31, 2014
JusticeYukio TakeuchiOctober 21, 2008July 19, 2013Kyoto
JusticeRyuko SakuraiSeptember 11, 2008January 15, 2017Kyushu
JusticeTakaharu KondoMay 23, 2007November 21, 2010
JusticeMutsuo TaharaNovember 1, 2006April 22, 2013Kyoto
JusticeNorio WakuiOctober 16, 2006December 17, 2009Kyoto
JusticeYuki FurutaAugust 2, 2005April 7, 2012
JusticeYukio HorigomeMay 17, 2005June 15, 2010
JusticeRyoji NakagawaJanuary 19, 2005December 22, 2009Kanazawa
JusticeIsao ImaiDecember 27, 2004December 25, 2009Kyoto
JusticeTatsuo KainakaOctober 7, 2002January 1, 2010Chuo
JusticeTokiyasu FujitaSeptember 30, 2002April 5, 2010
JusticeToyozo UedaFebruary 21, 2002May 22, 2007
JusticeKunio HamadaMay 1, 2001May 23, 2006
JusticeTakehisa FukuzawaSeptember 14, 2000January 4, 2004
Chief JusticeAkira MachidaMarch 22, 2000October 15, 2006
JusticeGen KajitaniApril 21, 1999January 14, 2005
JusticeMasamichi OkudaApril 1, 1999September 27, 2002
JusticeTsugio KameyamaDecember 4, 1998February 25, 2004
JusticeHiroharu KitagawaSeptember 10, 1998December 26, 2004
JusticeToshihiro KanataniOctober 31, 1997May 16, 2005
JusticeTakao OdeSeptember 24, 1997December 19, 2001
JusticeToshifumi MotoharaSeptember 8, 1997April 21, 2001
Chief JusticeShigeru YamaguchiMarch 10, 1997November 3, 2002
JusticeMasao FujiiNovember 7, 1995November 6, 2002
JusticeHiroshi FukudaSeptember 4, 1995August 1, 2005
JusticeKazutomo IjimaAugust 11, 1995October 6, 2002
JusticeMitsuo EndoFebruary 13, 1995September 12, 2000
JusticeShinichi KawaiJuly 25, 1994June 10, 2002
JusticeYukinobu OzakiFebruary 16, 1994April 18, 1999
JusticeHisako TakahashiFebruary 9, 1994September 20, 1997
JusticeShigeharu NegishiJanuary 11, 1994December 3, 1998
JusticeHideo ChikusaSeptember 13, 1993February 20, 2002
JusticeMasaru OshiroApril 13, 1993February 13, 1995
JusticeMasao OnoApril 1, 1993September 2, 1997
Chief JusticeToru MiyoshiMarch 25, 1992October 30, 1997
JusticeMotoo OnoFebruary 13, 1992March 15, 2000
JusticeKatsuya OnishiMay 13, 1991September 9, 1998
JusticeOsamu MimuraDecember 10, 1990February 6, 1994
JusticeRyohei KizakiSeptember 3, 1990July 24, 1994
JusticeTsuneo KabeMay 10, 1990March 8, 1997
JusticeShoichiro SatoFebruary 20, 1990February 15, 1994
JusticeToshijiro NakajimaJanuary 24, 1990September 1, 1995
JusticeShirohei HashimotoJanuary 11, 1990April 12, 1993
Chief JusticeRyohachi KusabaNovember 27, 1989November 7, 1995
JusticeItsuo SonobeSeptember 21, 1989March 31, 1999
JusticeSeiichi OhoriJune 17, 1988August 10, 1995
JusticeKatsumi TeikaMarch 17, 1988September 12, 1993
JusticeHisayuki OkunoSeptember 5, 1987August 26, 1990
JusticeIwao YotsuyaJanuary 28, 1987February 8, 1992
JusticeTonosuke HayashiJune 13, 1986August 6, 1987
JusticeTetsuro SatoMay 21, 1986January 4, 1990
JusticeToshio SakaueJanuary 17, 1986March 31, 1993
JusticeYasukazu KagawaJanuary 17, 1986May 4, 1991
JusticeTsuneo OuchiNovember 5, 1985March 23, 1992
JusticeAkira FujishimaMay 23, 1985January 1, 1994
JusticeMasuo TakashimaDecember 17, 1984May 2, 1988
JusticeAtsushi NagashimaJune 12, 1984March 16, 1988
JusticeRokuro ShimataniMay 8, 1984January 23, 1990
Chief JusticeKoichi YaguchiFebruary 20, 1984February 19, 1990
JusticeReijiro TsunodaNovember 8, 1983December 3, 1990
JusticeMitsuhiko YasuokaOctober 1, 1982May 4, 1990
JusticeSeiichi WadaAugust 16, 1982April 23, 1986
JusticeKeiji MakiMay 28, 1982November 24, 1989
JusticeHisaharu KidoguchiApril 12, 1982January 8, 1986
JusticeSusumu OhashiNovember 2, 1981June 12, 1986
JusticeMasataka TaniguchiApril 16, 1980January 27, 1987
Chief JusticeJiro TeradaMarch 22, 1980November 3, 1985Father of 18th Chief Justice Itsuro Terada.
JusticeGoichi MiyazakiFebruary 6, 1980May 4, 1984
JusticeMasami ItoJanuary 19, 1980September 20, 1989
JusticeYasuyoshi ShionoApril 2, 1979May 22, 1985
JusticeShigeyori TsukamotoApril 2, 1979October 17, 1981
JusticeTadayoshi KinoshitaMarch 1, 1979January 14, 1986
JusticeDaizo YokoiSeptember 22, 1978June 10, 1984
JusticeJiro NakamuraSeptember 22, 1978February 19, 1984
JusticeHiromu TodaJuly 14, 1978March 25, 1980
JusticeToru MotoyamaAugust 26, 1977August 10, 1982
JusticeMasato FujisakiApril 5, 1977December 15, 1984
JusticeKazuo KurimotoMay 25, 1976May 26, 1982
JusticeShoichi TamakiMarch 27, 1976April 11, 1982
Chief JusticeTakaaki HattoriDecember 3, 1975September 30, 1982
JusticeYuzuru MotobayashiAugust 8, 1975March 30, 1979
JusticeShigemitsu DandoOctober 4, 1974November 7, 1983
JusticeYutaka YoshidaMay 21, 1973February 28, 1979
JusticeMasami TakatsujiApril 4, 1973January 18, 1980
JusticeKiichiro OtsukaFebruary 2, 1973February 4, 1980
JusticeKiyoo ErikuchiJanuary 9, 1973March 19, 1980
JusticeYasuo KishigamiNovember 28, 1972September 21, 1978
JusticeYoshikatsu SakamotoDecember 7, 1971March 26, 1976
JusticeBuichi AmanoMay 21, 1971September 20, 1978
JusticeSeiichi KishiApril 2, 1971July 13, 1978
JusticeTakeso ShimodaJanuary 12, 1971April 2, 1977
JusticeNobuo OgawaDecember 22, 1970August 6, 1975
Chief JusticeMasao OkaharaOctober 28, 1970March 31, 1979
Chief JusticeEkizo FujibayashiJuly 31, 1970August 25, 1977
JusticeKosato SekineJanuary 17, 1969December 2, 1975
Chief JusticeTomokazu MurakamiNovember 19, 1968May 24, 1976
JusticeYoshimi IimuraSeptember 20, 1967April 26, 1971
JusticeMasao MatsumotoJanuary 17, 1967December 5, 1971
JusticeKenichiro OsumiSeptember 9, 1966October 1, 1974
JusticeKotaro IrokawaMay 10, 1966January 29, 1973
JusticeKazuo ShimomuraSeptember 14, 1965January 1, 1973
JusticeMakoto IwataAugust 31, 1964November 25, 1972
JusticeJiro MatsudaJanuary 31, 1964July 29, 1970
JusticeJiro TanakaJanuary 16, 1964March 31, 1973
JusticeGoroku KashiharaDecember 13, 1963September 19, 1967
JusticeYoshihiko KidoJune 6, 1963December 19, 1970
Chief JusticeKazuto IshidaJune 6, 1963May 19, 1973
JusticeKingo OsabeApril 5, 1963March 31, 1971
JusticeAsanosuke KusakaAugust 12, 1962October 24, 1970
JusticeKitaro SaitoMay 29, 1962August 9, 1964
Chief JusticeMasatoshi YokotaFebruary 28, 1962January 10, 1969
JusticeKakiwa GokijoAugust 26, 1961December 31, 1966
JusticeSakunosuke YamadaDecember 27, 1960April 21, 1966
Chief JusticeKisaburo YokotaOctober 25, 1960August 5, 1966
JusticeShuichi IshisakaJune 28, 1958September 13, 1965
JusticeTsuneshichi TakagiJune 28, 1958March 14, 1963
JusticeKiyoshi TakahashiJanuary 30, 1957December 29, 1961
JusticeKenichi OkunoNovember 22, 1956November 17, 1968
JusticeMasuo ShimoiizakaNovember 22, 1956January 28, 1964
JusticeDaisuke KawamuraNovember 22, 1956June 1, 1963
JusticeKatsumi TarumiMay 26, 1955November 14, 1963
JusticeKatsu IkedaNovember 2, 1954May 22, 1963
JusticeToshio IrieAugust 30, 1952January 9, 1971
JusticeZentaro MotomuraJanuary 21, 1952January 14, 1957
JusticeShunzo KobayashiOctober 5, 1951June 2, 1958
JusticeTadaichiro TanimuraApril 12, 1951November 10, 1956
Chief JusticeKotaro TanakaMarch 3, 1950October 24, 1960
JusticeShigeto HozumiFebruary 26, 1949July 29, 1951
JusticeMatasuke KawamuraAugust 4, 1947December 31, 1963
JusticeSaburo IwamatsuAugust 4, 1947November 10, 1956
JusticeHachiro FujitaAugust 4, 1947August 4, 1962
JusticeYusuke SaitoAugust 4, 1947May 20, 1962
JusticeTamotsu ShimaAugust 4, 1947August 24, 1961
JusticeKatsushige KotaniAugust 4, 1947December 23, 1960
JusticeRiichi ShonoAugust 4, 1947June 28, 1948
JusticeTsuyoshi ManoAugust 4, 1947June 8, 1958
JusticeShigeru KuriyamaAugust 4, 1947October 5, 1956
JusticeNobori InoueAugust 4, 1947April 9, 1955
JusticeSeiichi ShimoyamaAugust 4, 1947October 14, 1954
JusticeTakejiro SawadaAugust 4, 1947August 1, 1952
JusticeTaichiro HasegawaAugust 4, 1947November 30, 1951
JusticeNaoyoshi TsukasakiAugust 4, 1947February 14, 1951
Chief JusticeTadahiko MibuchiAugust 4, 1947March 2, 1950Kyoto