被告人

• Reading: ひこくにん
• Romaji: hikokunin
• Kanji breakdown: 被 (hi) — subjected to; 告 (koku) — accusation; 人 (nin) — person
• Pronunciation: /çi.ko.kɯ.niɴ/

Meaning

Defendant; the accused. A person who has been formally indicted and is standing trial in a criminal case.

In Japanese criminal procedure, 被告人 is the precise legal term for a person who has been formally charged (起訴) and is facing trial. This distinguishes them from 被疑者 (suspect, pre-indictment). In civil cases, the equivalent term is 被告 (defendant in a civil suit). The term is standard in court proceedings and legal documents. News media sometimes use 被告 as shorthand even in criminal contexts after indictment.

Examples

1. 裁判では被告人が終始無罪を主張し、弁護団も一貫した無罪主張を展開した。 Throughout the trial, the defendant consistently maintained his innocence, and the defence team presented a unified not-guilty argument.
2. 被告人の精神状態を鑑定するための鑑定留置が決定された。 A psychiatric detention order was issued to assess the defendant's mental state.
3. 判決文は被告人の反省の情が見られないとして、実刑を言い渡した。 The verdict stated that no sign of remorse was observed in the defendant, and a custodial sentence was handed down.

Usage Guide

Context: criminal law, court proceedings, legal documents, journalism

Tone: legal, formal

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese legal compound: 被 (hi) — subjected to; 告 (koku) — accusation, charge; 人 (nin) — person. Literally 'a person who has been accused/charged.' Part of the Meiji-era legal vocabulary imported alongside the continental European legal system.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated