上告

• Reading: じょうこく
• Romaji: joukoku
• Kanji breakdown: 上 (jou) — above, upper, go up; 告 (koku) — tell, inform, announce
• Pronunciation: /dʑoː.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Final appeal; appeal to the Supreme Court. The last stage of appeal in Japan's three-tier court system.

A noun and suru-verb referring to the final appeal from a high court (高等裁判所) to the Supreme Court (最高裁判所) in Japan's three-tier judicial system. Distinguished from 控訴 (kouso, intermediate appeal to a high court) — 上告 is the ultimate legal recourse. Grounds for 上告 are limited to constitutional violations or serious legal errors. The Supreme Court accepts very few 上告 cases.

Examples

1. 被告は最高裁判所に上告する方針だ。 The defendant plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
2. 上告が棄却され、判決が確定した。 The appeal was dismissed and the verdict became final.
3. 弁護団は上告の準備を進めている。 The defense team is preparing to file a Supreme Court appeal.

Usage Guide

Context: law, court, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 上 (jou, above/upper) + 告 (koku, tell/inform). Literally 'to inform above' — bringing a case to a higher authority for review.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal