Japan’s Supreme Court has formally requested a parliamentary commission to initiate dismissal proceedings against a district judge indicted on charges of habitual gambling through an online casino site, marking a rare move by the judiciary to expel one of its own members.
The court announced Wednesday that it has asked a related parliamentary body to file a petition with the Judge Impeachment Court seeking the removal of Akifumi Morimoto, 52, who serves at the Niigata Summary Court. Authorities accuse Morimoto of accessing an online casino site more than 60,000 times over a six-month period in 2023.
The Supreme Court said Morimoto’s alleged conduct “amounted to a delinquency undermining the dignity of judges,” justifying the unprecedented request for his removal from the bench. Masamichi Itatsu, head of the court’s Personnel Affairs Bureau, called the situation “very regrettable” and pledged to work toward regaining public trust in the judiciary.
The charges and alleged gambling activity
The Akita District Public Prosecutors Office indicted Morimoto without arrest on April 17 on suspicion of habitual gambling. According to prosecutors, the judge allegedly used his smartphone and tablet computer to access online casino platforms and place bets on games including baccarat from April through September 2023.
During that time, Morimoto was reportedly living in Akita Prefecture, where he accessed the illegal gambling sites on more than 60,000 separate occasions. The sheer volume of alleged access points to sustained and repeated engagement with online gambling platforms over the six-month window.
Morimoto has reportedly admitted to the allegations and expressed remorse for his actions, according to statements from the Supreme Court. The judge has not been detained, with prosecutors pursuing the case through what is known in Japan as summary indictment.
Japan’s strict stance on gambling
Japan maintains some of the world’s most restrictive gambling laws, with most forms of betting prohibited under the country’s penal code. Online casinos remain illegal for Japanese residents, though enforcement against individual users has historically been limited. The country permits only a narrow range of gambling activities, including government-controlled lotteries, horse racing, bicycle racing, motorboat racing, and pachinko parlors that operate in a legal grey area.
The government has taken steps in recent years to open the market for integrated casino resorts, awarding licenses for luxury gambling complexes that cater primarily to foreign tourists. Still, authorities continue to view unauthorized online gambling as a criminal offense, particularly when it involves individuals in positions of public trust such as judges.
For a sitting judge to face charges related to illegal gambling represents a particularly serious breach, given that judges are expected to uphold the law and model appropriate conduct. The Supreme Court’s swift move to seek dismissal underscores the judiciary’s concern about damage to its reputation.
The impeachment process ahead
If the parliamentary commission accepts the Supreme Court’s request and files the petition, the Judge Impeachment Court will take over the case. This specialized tribunal, composed of members of Japan’s National Diet, has the authority to remove judges from office for misconduct or violations that compromise their fitness to serve.
The impeachment court will examine the evidence, hear arguments, and determine whether Morimoto’s alleged conduct warrants dismissal. A ruling in favor of removal would strip him of his judicial position permanently.
Since the end of World War II, only eight judges have been dismissed in Japan through this impeachment process, highlighting how rarely the judiciary resorts to such measures. The most recent case involved Kiichi Okaguchi, who received a dismissal ruling from the impeachment court in 2024 for making inappropriate posts on social media.
Wider concerns about judicial integrity
The case has raised fresh questions about oversight and accountability within Japan’s court system. While the Supreme Court’s Personnel Affairs Bureau is responsible for monitoring judicial conduct, cases involving criminal activity by sitting judges remain extremely unusual.
Itatsu’s statement emphasizing the need to regain public trust suggests concern within the judiciary about how the scandal might affect perceptions of impartiality and ethical standards on the bench. Japanese courts enjoy high levels of public confidence, and officials appear eager to address the situation decisively to prevent broader reputational harm.
The volume of alleged access to online casinos, totaling tens of thousands of instances over just six months, raises separate questions about how the judge’s gambling activity went undetected for so long. Whether Morimoto placed bets while on duty or whether his gambling interfered with his judicial responsibilities remains unclear from public statements.
The next stage of proceedings will depend on the parliamentary commission’s decision on whether to file the formal petition. Once filed, the Judge Impeachment Court would set a timeline for hearings and a final ruling on Morimoto’s future on the bench.
Based on reporting by The Japan Times .
This article reports on allegations and legal proceedings as described by the cited source. Any charges or accusations mentioned are unproven, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.