Japanese · Lesson 139
Lesson 141
Narration and the written language
Court levels and Supreme Court · Narration 1 of 2
Four levels of courts
*裁判所には最高裁判所（東京に一つ）、高等裁判所、地方裁判所 及び簡易裁判所の四段階がある* names the Supreme Court, high courts, district courts, and summary courts as four levels.
*又 地方裁判所とならんで家庭内の問題や少年の保護などを取りあつかう家庭裁判所がある* adds family courts alongside district courts. They handle family problems and juvenile protection.
The final court
*最高裁判所は終審裁判所で、裁判所全体の規則を* identifies the Supreme Court as the court of final appeal and begins its duties.
*つくったり、国会でつくられた法律が憲法に反しているかどうかを調べたりする* completes the sentence. The court makes system-wide rules and reviews laws against the Constitution.
Kanji: 判
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 調
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 易
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
しほおというのはほおりつにもとづいてさいばんをおこなうことで、しほおけんはさいばんしょにある。
The administration of justice means conducting trials based on the law, and judicial authority rests with the courts.
司法administration of justiceとquoteいうcalledのthingはtopic法律lawにon基づいbased onてbased on裁判trialsをobject行なうconducting事actで、is, and司法judicial authority権judicial authorityはtopic裁判courts所courtsにwithある。rests - 2
さいばんしょにはさいこうさいばんしょ（とうきょうにひとつ）、こうとうさいばんしょ、ちほおさいばんしょおよびかんいさいばんしょのよんだんかいがある。
There are four levels of courts: the Supreme Court (one in Tokyo), high courts, district courts, and summary courts.
裁判courts所courtsにatはtopic最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Court（東京Tokyoにin一oneつ）、one高等high courts裁判high courts所、high courts地方district courts裁判district courts所district courts及びand簡易summary courts裁判summary courts所summary courtsのof四four段階levelsがsubjectある。exist - 3
またちほおさいばんしょとならんでかていないのもんだいやしょおねんのほごなどをとりあつかうかていさいばんしょがある。
There are also family courts alongside the district courts, which handle family problems, the protection of juveniles, and similar matters.
又also地方district courts裁判district courts所district courtsとwithならんalongsideでalongside家庭within families内within familiesのof問題problemsやand少年juvenilesのof保護protectionなどand similar mattersをobject取りあつかうhandle家庭family courts裁判family courts所family courtsがsubjectある。exist - 4
さいこうさいばんしょのちょおかんはないかくのしめいによっててんのおがにんめいされ、そのたじゅうよにんのさいばんかんはないかくがにんめいする。
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the Emperor upon nomination by the Cabinet, and the other fourteen justices are appointed by the Cabinet.
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtのof長官Chief Justiceはtopic内閣Cabinetのof指名nominationにbyよっby means ofてby means of天皇Emperorがsubject任命is appointedさis appointedれ、is appointedそのother他other十fourteen四fourteen人fourteenのof裁判justices官justicesはtopic内閣Cabinetがsubject任命appointsする。does - 5
さいこうさいばんしょはしゅうしんさいばんしょで、さいばんしょぜんたいのきそくを
The Supreme Court is the court of final appeal, and it
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtはtopic終審final appeal court裁判final appeal court所final appeal courtで、is, and裁判courts所courts全体entireのof規則rulesをobject - 6
つくったり、こっかいでつくられたほおりつがけんぽおにはんしているかどうかをしらべたりする。
makes rules for the entire court system and examines whether laws made by the Diet violate the Constitution.
つくっmakesたり、makes国会Dietでbyつくらwere madeれwere madeたwere made法律lawsがsubject憲法Constitutionにagainst反しviolateてviolateいるviolateかwhetherどうhowかwhetherをobject調べexaminesたりexaminesする。examines - 7
こうとうさいばんしょはとうきょう、なごや、おおさか、ひろしま、ふくおか、せんだい、たかまつ、さっぽろにひとつずつある。
There is one high court in each of the following cities: Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Takamatsu, and Sapporo.
高等high court裁判high court所high courtはtopic東京、Tokyo名古屋、Nagoya大阪、Osaka広島、Hiroshima福岡、Fukuoka仙台、Sendai高松、Takamatsu札幌Sapporoにin一oneつoneずつeachある。exists
1 Structure of the Judiciary System in Japan
The Judicial hierarchy consists of the Supreme Court and four categories of inferior courts: high courts, district courts, family courts, and summary courts. Judicial power, including the power to interpret the Constitution, is vested in the Supreme Court and in inferior courts as established by law. The Supreme Court has extensive disciplinary powers over the inferior courts.
Supreme Court justices, who must have reached the age of forty at appointment, must be “persons of broad vision and extensive knowledge of the law.” A majority of the members of the Court are required to have had ten years professional experience in the legal field. Appointments are permanent, with retirement compulsory at the age of seventy. The Supreme Court justice can be recalled, however, through a “review system” in which the people at the first general election of members of the House of Representatives following the justices' appointment can vote against the appointment. Thereafter, the Supreme Court justices must submit to this review process at the first general election after serving ten years on the bench. A court of impeachment may also be organized for this purpose within the Diet.
The High Courts generally function as courts of appeal but also have original jurisdiction over cases of armed revolt. Judges are appointed by the Cabinet but they must be selected from a list submitted by the Supreme Court. High courts consist of five judges each. Sittings are either as a full bench or in panels of three.
Each of the District Courts, situated in forty-nine different cities, has original jurisdiction in all criminal and civil cases except petty offenses involving light fines and certain cases specifically placed under the jurisdiction of other courts.
The forty-nine Family Courts, which are on a level with the District Courts, have original jurisdiction in family disputes. Their work, which is associated with the drastic transformation in the legal position of women and children in Japan, may broadly be divided into two spheres; that of such domestic problems as inheritances, divorce, the rehabilitation of minors, appointment of legacies and similar matters formerly decided by the head of the family under Japan’s family system, and that of juvenile crimes and delinquency.
Summary Courts are located in 570 cities and towns. These courts generally perform the functions of small courts and justices of peace in the United States. They have original jurisdiction over minor offenses and small civil claims.
All judges of District, Family, and Summary Courts are appointed by the Cabinet from a list of nominees prepared by the Supreme Court.
The jury system, first established in Japan in 1923 and suspended in 1943, did not take root in the country and has not been reestablished, although regulations governing court organization do not prohibit the selection of a jury for criminal cases. Various factors contributed to the abandonment of the system—lack of popular confidence, financial cost, incompatibility with the legal tradition, and the fact that most litigants preferred to rely upon the professional knowledge and integrity of the judges.- 司法
- judicial
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- は
- leaves
- 法律
- law
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- 裁判
- trial; judgment
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 所
- address, place
- ある。
- certain, some
- 一
- one
- 地方
- country, region
- 四
- four
- 段階
- steps; grade; rank
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- や
- and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
- 少年
- youth, boy, juvenile
- など
- and so forth, etc.
- 長官
- chief; head
- 内閣
- cabinet
- 天皇
- emperor
- 十
- ten
- 人
- people
- 全体
- the whole
- 国会
- Diet
- 憲法
- constitution
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- 名古屋、
- P. N.
- 仙台、
- P. N.
- ずつ
- each (See Gram. Notes)
Appeals, lower courts and crimes · Narration 2 of 2
What each court handles
*高等裁判所は普通下級裁判所の控訴裁判所であるが、叛乱なども裁く* says that high courts usually hear lower-court appeals and also try rebellion cases.
*地方裁判所は全国に四十九あり、民事事件、刑事事件はほとんど全部ここで裁かれる* says that forty-nine district courts try almost all civil and criminal cases.
Judges appointed by the Cabinet
*地方裁判所、家庭裁判所、簡易裁判所の裁判官は内閣の任命による* states that the Cabinet appoints the judges of three lower courts.
The Cabinet appoints these district, family, and summary court judges. It also appoints the five judges of each high court.
Kanji: 件
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 罪
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 犯
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 強
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 8
こうとうさいばんしょのごにんのさいばんかんはないかくがにんめいする。
The five judges of each high court are appointed by the Cabinet.
高等high court裁判high court所high courtのof五five人fiveのof裁判judges官judgesはtopic内閣Cabinetがsubject任命appointsする。does - 9
こうとうさいばんしょはふつうかきゅうさいばんしょのこうそさいばんしょであるが、はんらんなどもさばく。
A high court is ordinarily a court of appeal for the lower courts, but it also tries cases such as rebellion.
高等high court裁判high court所high courtはtopic普通ordinarily下級lower courts裁判lower courts所lower courtsのfor控訴appeal court裁判appeal court所appeal courtでisあるisが、but叛乱rebellionなどand similar casesもalso裁く。tries - 10
ちほおさいばんしょはぜんこくによんじゅうきゅうあり、みんじじけん、けいじじけんはほとんどぜんぶここでさばかれる。
There are forty-nine district courts throughout the country, and almost all civil and criminal cases are tried there.
地方district courts裁判district courts所district courtsはtopic全国nationwideにin四十forty-nine九forty-nineあり、exist民事civil cases事件、civil cases刑事criminal cases事件criminal casesはtopicほとんどalmost全部allここthereでat裁かare triedれる。are tried - 11
かていさいばんしょもぜんこくによんじゅうきゅうある。
There are also forty-nine family courts throughout the country.
家庭family courts裁判family courts所family courtsもalso全国nationwideにin四十forty-nine九forty-nineある。exist - 12
ちほおさいばんしょ、かていさいばんしょ、かんいさいばんしょのさいばんかんはないかくのにんめいによる。
The judges of the district courts, family courts, and summary courts are appointed by the Cabinet.
地方district courts裁判district courts所、district courts家庭family courts裁判family courts所、family courts簡易summary courts裁判summary courts所summary courtsのof裁判judges官judgesはtopic内閣Cabinetのof任命appointmentにbyよる。by - 13
さつじん、せっとお、ほおか、ごおとお、ごおかんなどのつみをおかしたものをさばくこと。
Trying people who have committed crimes such as murder, theft, arson, robbery, and rape.
殺人、murder窃盗、theft放火、arson強盗、robbery強姦rapeなどand similar crimesのof罪crimesをobject犯しcommittedたcommitted者peopleをobject裁くtrying事。act
- 五
- five
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- ある
- certain, some
- 叛乱
- rebellion; revolt
- も
- as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
- 裁く。
- judge; pass judgment (v.t.)
- 全国
- entire country
- 四十
- 40
- 九
- nine
- ほとんど
- almost (See Gram. Notes)
- ここ
- here
- れる。
- to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 殺人、
- murder
- 窃盗、
- theft
- 放火、
- arson
- 強盗、
- armed robbery
- 強姦
- rape
- 者
- person
People in criminal trials · Questions 1 of 4
People in a trial
The terms identify people in civil and criminal trials. *原告＝訴えた者* means "Plaintiff = the person who brought the suit."
*被告＝訴えられた者* means "Defendant = the person who was sued."
*判事*, *検事*, and *弁護士* name the judge, public prosecutor, and attorney.
- 14
「しほお」
“The administration of justice”
「司法」administration of justice - 15
さいばんにかんすることば
Words related to trials
裁判trialsにto関するrelated to言葉words - 16
げんこく＝うったえたもの
Plaintiff = the person who brought the suit
原告＝plaintiff訴えbrought suitたbrought suit者person - 17
ひこく＝うったえられたもの
Defendant = the person who was sued
被告＝defendant訴えwas suedられwas suedたwas sued者person - 18
けいじさいばん
Criminal trial
刑事criminal裁判trial - 19
はんじ
Judge
判事judge - 20
けんじ
Public prosecutor
検事public prosecutor - 21
べんごし
Attorney
弁護attorney士attorney
- 「司法」
- judicial
- 原告＝
- plaintiff; accuser
- 被告＝
- defendant; accused
- 判事
- a judge
- 検事
- public procurator
Judicial authority and family courts · Questions 2 of 4
Authority and court levels
The questions ask what the administration of justice means, where judicial authority rests, and how the courts are organized.
*司法権はどこにありますか* means "Where does judicial authority rest?" An answer names the courts.
Other answers name the four court levels and state that family courts handle family problems and juvenile protection.
- 22
しょうにん・しょうこ・
Witness; evidence;
証人・witness証拠・evidence - 23
にほんごでつぎのしつもんにこたえてください。
Please answer the following questions in Japanese.
日本Japanese語Japaneseでin次followingのof質問questionsにto答えanswerてandください。please - 24
しほおというのはなんですか。
What does the administration of justice mean?
司法administration of justiceとquoteいうcalledのoneはtopic何whatですisか。question - 25
しほおけんはどこにありますか。
Where does judicial authority rest?
司法judicial authority権judicial authorityはtopicどこwhereにinありexistsますpoliteか。question - 26
さいばんしょにはなんだんかいありますか。
How many levels of courts are there?
裁判courts所courtsにinはtopic何how many段階levelsありexistますpoliteか。question - 27
それはなんとなんとなんとなんですか。
What are those four levels?
それthoseはtopic何whatとand何whatとand何whatとand何whatですareか。question - 28
ちほおさいばんしょとならんでなんというさいばんしょがありますか。
What kind of court is there alongside the district courts?
地方district court裁判district court所district courtとwithならんalongsideでalongside何whatとquoteいうcalled裁判court所courtがsubjectありexistsますpoliteか。question - 29
かていさいばんしょではどんなことをしますか。
What kinds of matters do family courts handle?
家庭family court裁判family court所family courtでatはtopicどんなwhat kind of事mattersをobjectしdoますpoliteか。question
- 証人・
- witness
- 証拠・
- evidence
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- ます
- trout
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
- し
- city
Supreme Court judges and duties · Questions 3 of 4
The Supreme Court and high courts
The questions ask about the justices, appointment, location, status, and duties of the Supreme Court.
*最高裁判所ではどんな事をしますか* means "What does the Supreme Court do?" An answer names its rulemaking and constitutional review duties.
Other answers identify the Supreme Court as the final court in Tokyo and give the number and locations of the high courts.
- 30
さいこうさいばんしょにはさいばんかんがなんにんいますか。
How many justices are there on the Supreme Court?
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtにonはtopic裁判justices官justicesがsubject何how many人people居are thereますpoliteか。question - 31
さいこうさいばんしょのちょおかんはだれがえらびますか。
Who selects the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtの's長官Chief Justiceはtopicだれwhoがsubjectえらびselectsますpoliteか。question - 32
そのたじゅうよにんのさいばんかんはだれがえらびますか。
Who selects the other fourteen justices?
そのother他other十fourteen四fourteen人peopleのof裁判justices官justicesはtopicだれwhoがsubjectえらびselectsますpoliteか。question - 33
さいこうさいばんしょはどんなさいばんしょですか。
What kind of court is the Supreme Court?
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtはtopicどんなwhat kind of裁判court所courtですisか。question - 34
さいこうさいばんしょではどんなことをしますか。
What does the Supreme Court do?
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtでatはtopicどんなwhat kind of事mattersをobjectしdoますpoliteか。question - 35
さいこうさいばんしょはどこにありますか。
Where is the Supreme Court?
最高Supreme Court裁判Supreme Court所Supreme Courtはtopicどこwhereにinありis locatedますpoliteか。question - 36
こうとうさいばんしょはいくつありますか。
How many high courts are there?
高等high courts裁判high courts所high courtsはtopicいくhow manyつhow manyありexistますpoliteか。question - 37
それはどこにありますか。
Where are they?
それtheyはtopicどこwhereにinありare locatedますpoliteか。question
- だれ
- who?
Lower courts and litigants · Questions 4 of 4
Lower courts and litigants
The questions ask how many judges and courts there are, what the courts do, and who appoints their judges.
*高等裁判所ではどんな事をしますか* means "What do the high courts do?" An answer states that they hear appeals and try rebellion cases.
The final answers identify a plaintiff as the person who brought a suit and a defendant as the person sued.
- 38
こうとうさいばんしょにはさいばんかんがなんにんいますか。
How many judges are there in each high court?
高等high court裁判high court所high courtにinはtopic裁判judges官judgesがsubject何how many人people居are thereますpoliteか。question - 39
こうとうさいばんしょではどんなことをしますか。
What do the high courts do?
高等high courts裁判high courts所high courtsでatはtopicどんなwhat kind of事mattersをobjectしdoますpoliteか。question - 40
ちほおさいばんしょはいくつありますか。
How many district courts are there?
地方district courts裁判district courts所district courtsはtopicいくhow manyつhow manyありexistますpoliteか。question - 41
ちほおさいばんしょではどんなことをしますか。
What do the district courts do?
地方district courts裁判district courts所district courtsでatはtopicどんなwhat kind of事mattersをobjectしdoますpoliteか。question - 42
かていさいばんしょはいくつありますか。
How many family courts are there?
家庭family courts裁判family courts所family courtsはtopicいくhow manyつhow manyありexistますpoliteか。question - 43
これらのかきゅうさいばんしょのさいばんかんは、だれがえらびますか。
Who selects the judges of these lower courts?
これtheseらtheseのof下級lower courts裁判lower courts所lower courtsのof裁判judges官judgesは、topicだれwhoがsubjectえらびselectsますpoliteか。question - 44
げんこくというのはだれですか。
Who is a plaintiff?
原告plaintiffとquoteいうcalledのoneはtopicだれwhoですisか。question - 45
ひこくというのはだれですか。
Who is a defendant?
被告defendantとquoteいうcalledのoneはtopicだれwhoですisか。question
- 原告
- plaintiff; accuser
- 被告
- defendant; accused
Court hierarchy and family courts · Word list 1 of 3
The court system
These words name judicial authority, courts, their levels, and the people who lead or staff them.
*高等裁判所* means "High Court," and *家庭裁判所* means "Family court." *任命する* means "appoint, nominate."
The court names share *裁判所*, the word for courts.
- 46
しほおけん
judicial power
司法権judicial power - 47
さいばんしょ
courts
裁判所courts - 48
さいこうさいばんしょ
Supreme Coiurt
最高裁判所Supreme Court - 49
こうとうさいばんしょ
High Court
高等裁判所High Court - 50
ちほおさいばんしょ
District Court
地方裁判所District Court - 51
かんいさいばんしょ
Summary Court
簡易裁判所Summary Court - 52
だんかい
steps; grade; rank
段階level - 53
かていないの
within a family
家庭内のwithin a family - 54
かていさいばんしょ
Family court
家庭裁判所Family Court - 55
ちょおかん
chief; head
長官chief - 56
にんめいする
appoint, nominate
任命するappoint - 57
さいばんかん
judges
裁判官judges
- 司法権
- judicial power
- 裁判所
- courts
- 最高裁判所
- Supreme Coiurt
- 高等裁判所
- High Court
- 地方裁判所
- District Court
- 簡易裁判所
- Summary Court
- 家庭内の
- within a family
- 家庭裁判所
- Family court
- 任命する
- appoint, nominate
- 裁判官
- judges
Appeals, cases and litigants · Word list 2 of 3
Cases and litigants
These words cover appeals, lower courts, civil and criminal cases, and the people on opposing sides of a lawsuit.
*終審裁判所* means "court of last resort," and *民事事件* means "civil case." *訴える* means "sue."
*原告* names the plaintiff or accuser. *被告* names the defendant or accused.
- 58
しゅうしんさいばんしょ
court of last resort
終審裁判所court of last resort - 59
はんする
violate; contrary to
反するviolate - 60
かきゅうさいばんしょ
lower courts
下級裁判所lower courts - 61
こうそさいばんしょ
coxurt of appeal
控訴裁判所court of appeal - 62
はんらん
rebellion; revolt
叛乱rebellion - 63
さばく
judge; pass judgment (v.t.)
裁くpass judgment - 64
みんじじけん
civil case
民事事件civil case - 65
けいじじけん
criminal case
刑事事件criminal case - 66
げんこく
plaintiff; accuser
原告plaintiff - 67
ひこく
defendant; accused
被告defendant - 68
うったえる
sue; bring a law suit
訴えるsue - 69
さつじん
murder
殺人murder
- 終審裁判所
- court of last resort
- 反する
- violate; contrary to
- 下級裁判所
- lower courts
- 控訴裁判所
- coxurt of appeal
- 裁く
- judge; pass judgment (v.t.)
- 民事事件
- civil case
- 刑事事件
- criminal case
- 訴える
- sue; bring a law suit
- 殺人
- murder
Crimes, lawyers and evidence · Word list 3 of 3
Crimes and a trial
These words name major crimes, committing a crime, legal professionals, witnesses, and evidence.
*窃盗* means "theft," and *放火* means "arson." *罪を犯す* means "commit a crime."
*判事* means "a judge," and *証拠* means "evidence."
- 70
せっとう
theft
窃盗theft - 71
ほうか
arson
放火arson - 72
ごうとう
armed robbery
強盗armed robbery - 73
ごうかん
rape
強姦rape - 74
つみをおかす
commit a crime
罪を犯すcommit a crime - 75
はんじ
a judge
判事judge - 76
けんじ
public procurator
検事public prosecutor - 77
べんごし
lawyer; attorney
弁護士lawyer - 78
しょうにん
witness
証人witness - 79
しょうこ
evidence
証拠evidence
Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise
1 Topics;
a Talk about the following topics in Japanese with your classmates.
(1) The Supreme Coixrt
(2) The High Court
(3) The District Court
(4) The other Courts
2 Exercises;
a Match the words in Column (A) with those of Column (B) and insert the letters of Column (B) in the spaces provided in Column (A).
1 叛乱 （ ）
2 原告 （ ）
3 殺人 （ ）
4 強盗 （ ）
5 被告 （ ）
6 窃盗 （ ）
7 放火 （ ）
a defendant
b arson
c trial
d civil case
e rape
f rebellion
g plaintiff
8 強姦 （ ）
9 民事 （ ）
10 裁判 （ ）
h murder
i armed robbery
j theftHomewor k
1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.
2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.
3 Learn to read and write the new Kanji.
4 Read the Cultural Notes.- 窃盗
- theft
- 放火
- arson
- 強盗
- armed robbery
- 罪を犯す
- commit a crime
- 弁護士
- lawyer; attorney
- 証人
- witness
- 証拠
- evidence
The particulars
- The course
- Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
- Reading aloud
- Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
- The book
- Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
- Data
- JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents