As calls for speedy trials mount following a blue-ribbon panel proposal in June to overhaul the judiciary, the pace of work at the Tokyo District Court probably serves as "exhibit A" in the argument for reform.
As the lowest court in the nation's political and economic nerve center, the Tokyo District Court handles by far the largest load of criminal and civil cases, everything from murder to corruption and abuse of power by public officials.
While the list of pending cases is long, the pace of work can only be described as glacial, and justice for some, particularly those involved in high-profile cases, can take many years to run its course.