Shimada to be named next Supreme Court chief

Shimada to be named next Supreme Court chief

TOKYO, Japan - The government has decided to appoint Niro Shimada (file photo), a Japanese Supreme Court justice, as the next chief justice of the top court to replace Akira Machida who will retire Oct. 15, government sources said Oct. 2.

Gov't to name Supreme Court Justice Horigome as top court chief

Gov't to name Supreme Court Justice Horigome as top court chief

TOKYO, Japan - The government plans to appoint Yukio Horigome (in file photo), a Japanese Supreme Court justice, as the next chief justice of the top court to succeed Akira Machida, government sources said on Sept. 23.

Top court rules in favor of claim by eligible voters living abroad

Top court rules in favor of claim by eligible voters living abroad

TOKYO, Japan - Akira Machida, chief justice of the Supreme Court, ruled that Japan's public election law, which restricts the voting rights of Japanese citizens living overseas, is unconstitutional. ''The Constitution guarantees voting rights, and it is unconstitutional to impose restrictions on them without reasonable cause,'' Machida said in the ruling.

Emperor, empress greeted on New Year's Day

Emperor, empress greeted on New Year's Day

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (standing on the left) receive New Year's greetings by family members and government officials in a traditional ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 1. ''I'm praying for this country's prosperity and people's happiness,'' the emperor said at the ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, House of Councillors President Hiroyuki Kurata and Supreme Court Chief Justice Akira Machida among others. (Pool photo)

Top court rules in favor of claim by eligible voters living abro

Top court rules in favor of claim by eligible voters living abro

TOKYO, Japan - Akira Machida, chief justice of the Supreme Court, ruled that Japan's public election law, which restricts the voting rights of Japanese citizens living overseas, is unconstitutional. ''The Constitution guarantees voting rights, and it is unconstitutional to impose restrictions on them without reasonable cause,'' Machida said in the ruling. (Kyodo)

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Machida dies at 78

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Machida dies at 78

Photo taken in April 2004 shows Akira Machida, a former chief justice of Japan's Supreme Court. He died on April 5, 2015 at age 78. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Gov't to name Supreme Court Justice Horigome as top court chief

Gov't to name Supreme Court Justice Horigome as top court chief

TOKYO, Japan - The government plans to appoint Yukio Horigome (in file photo), a Japanese Supreme Court justice, as the next chief justice of the top court to succeed Akira Machida, government sources said on Sept. 23. (Kyodo)

Shimada to be named next Supreme Court chief

Shimada to be named next Supreme Court chief

TOKYO, Japan - The government has decided to appoint Niro Shimada (file photo), a Japanese Supreme Court justice, as the next chief justice of the top court to replace Akira Machida who will retire Oct. 15, government sources said Oct. 2. (Kyodo)

Emperor, empress greeted on New Year's Day

Emperor, empress greeted on New Year's Day

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (standing on the left) receive New Year's greetings by family members and government officials in a traditional ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 1. ''I'm praying for this country's prosperity and people's happiness,'' the emperor said at the ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, House of Councillors President Hiroyuki Kurata and Supreme Court Chief Justice Akira Machida among others. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)