Japan's top court says forcing couples to share surname is constitutional
The latest decision on a more than century-old provision based on the Civil Code and the family register law dismissed requests filed by three couples to keep their separate surnames.
Couple sues Japanese government for not recognizing gender transition
Tokyo's Meguro and Ota wards have refused to recognize a woman's gender transition due to the legal status of same-sex marriages in Japan.
Ex-industry minister given fine and three-year election ban over cash gifts
Isshu Sugawara was given a summary indictment on June 8 on charges of giving ¥530,000 in cash and 20 floral arrangements worth some ¥270,000.
Former justice minister gets three-year prison term over vote-buying scandal
Katsuyuki Kawai, 58, was found guilty of giving some ¥29 million in total to 100 people in 2019 in conspiracy with his wife, to buy votes for her in an Upper House election.
Japanese high court judge faces impeachment over inappropriate tweets
The decision makes Kiichi Okaguchi of the Sendai High Court the ninth judge ever to be referred to the Judge Impeachment Court in Japan, and the first for expression of views.
Carlos Ghosn escape accomplices plead guilty in Tokyo court
The Taylors’ case in Tokyo is the latest addition to multiple legal proceedings around the world left in Ghosn’s wake.
Lawsuit seeks return of Ryukyu remains nearly a century after they were brought to Kyoto
The suit has also prompted discussion over the status of Ryukyuans, whom the government has not recognized as indigenous.
Woman sues Hokkaido government for not giving benefits to same-sex couples
Kaoru Sasaki, 51, had applied for spousal benefits, submitting a document recognizing her partnership issued by the Sapporo Municipal Government.
Tokyo District Court approves lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto's release on bail
Akimoto was detained in relation to a high-profile corruption case linked to the government's plan to permit resorts featuring casinos in Japan.
The damage done by a lengthy appeals process
The media has no problem reprimanding the government when it loses a court case, but news outlets seldom talk about how the judicial system can drag things on.
Ex-illegal manga site operator slapped with three-year prison sentence
The Manga-Mura website is believed to have caused the manga industry losses of over ¥300 billion.
Young inmates in Japan encouraged to reconnect with society before release
Growing grapes, mowing lawns and visiting homes for older people are all on the agenda for Japan's incarcerated.
