00:00The Supreme Court of Japan, Saiko Sebansho, is located in the Ayabusa district and the Shioda special ward of
00:06Tokyo is the highest judicial authority in Japan.
00:09It is the ultimate judicial authority; it interprets the constitution and decides matters of national law, including the
00:15local application texts.
00:17It holds the power to review the constitutionality of the decisions and actions of the executive, the legislative, and local authorities.
00:23local authorities and their administrations.
00:25These members are appointed by the "government" cabinet, then subject to a retention vote procedure.
00:31The Court comprises 15 judges who sit in three chambers of five judges.
00:35The 15 only meet in plenary session in exceptional cases.
00:38It is presided over by a chief justice or "chief of the Supreme Court", Saiko Sebansho Shokan, appointed
00:44by the emperor on the proposal of the Prime Minister.
