Legal Public disapproval of Supreme Court justices sharply rising

[thomas]

The national review conducted alongside the Oct. 27 Lower House election revealed a significant decline in public approval of the Supreme Court. Over 10% of respondents desired to remove four of the six justices from their positions. The remaining two justices also garnered disapproval ratings nearing 10%. This level of public discontent has not been seen in decades.

The review allowed voters to express their opinions on six of the court's 15 justices. The Chief Justice, who has been involved in rulings on LGBTQ+ rights, received the highest disapproval rating. Historically, the survey has not seen such high levels of disapproval. Since 2003, no justice has received a disapproval rating above 10%.

From 2003 to the previous review in 2021, 57 justices were reviewed, and not one received a ratio of "X" votes exceeding 10 per cent. An increase in available information about the justices may be behind the unusual climb in the disapproval ratings. Others attribute the rise in "X" marks to the influence of the morning drama series "Tora ni Tsubasa" (Wings on a tiger). "I used to think that trials and judges had little to do with me, but this time I found myself interested," said a 30-year-old public servant from Aomori city. Her newfound interest was sparked by "Tora ni Tsubasa," which was aired on NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.) from April to September. The series was inspired by the life of Yoshiko Mibuchi, one of Japan's first female lawyers and its first female judge. It portrayed lawyers tackling inequalities in society, with Supreme Court justices featured as key characters. "After watching the drama, I realized that judges also struggle with how to interpret the law," the woman said. This led her to research the justices on a media-run website for the national review. "This time, I felt I could make a decision based on my own criteria," she added.

Justices who receive "X" votes on more than half of the valid ballots are required to step down. No justice has been dismissed through this process, and critics say national reviews have become a mere formality. The highest disapproval rating recorded for a justice was 15.17 per cent. In the 1970s and 1980s, many justices received disapproval ratings above 10 per cent.

Dissatisfaction with Supreme Court justices suddenly surges | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Lothor]

The national review conducted alongside the Oct. 27 Lower House election revealed a significant decline in public approval of the Supreme Court. Over 10% of respondents desired to remove four of the six justices from their positions. The remaining two justices also garnered disapproval ratings nearing 10%. This level of public discontent has not been seen in decades.

The review allowed voters to express their opinions on six of the court's 15 justices. The Chief Justice, who has been involved in rulings on LGBTQ+ rights, received the highest disapproval rating. Historically, the survey has not seen such high levels of disapproval. Since 2003, no justice has received a disapproval rating above 10%.





Justices who receive "X" votes on more than half of the valid ballots are required to step down. No justice has been dismissed through this process, and critics say national reviews have become a mere formality. The highest disapproval rating recorded for a justice was 15.17 per cent. In the 1970s and 1980s, many justices received disapproval ratings above 10 per cent.

Dissatisfaction with Supreme Court justices suddenly surges | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

I'm not at all surprised. The Supreme Court seems to be there to cement the views of those in charge and prevent change while allowing Japan to claim it has an impartial legal system.

 

[thomas]

I'm not at all surprised. The Supreme Court seems to be there to cement the views of those in charge and prevent change while allowing Japan to claim it has an impartial legal system.

Looking at recent cases dealing with social issues (gender issues, nationality, etc.), it seems that the lower courts have their finger on the pulse of society, while the SC often (not always!) overturns their decisions based on "constitutionality."

 

[mdchachi]

Looking at recent cases dealing with social issues (gender issues, nationality, etc.), it seems that the lower courts have their finger on the pulse of society, while the SC often (not always!) overturns their decisions based on "constitutionality."

Theoretically the legislature should make laws according to the needs of society and not force the court be the agent of change.