Transition of the decisions concerning laicism in Japanese Supreme Court

Abstract

In February 2021, Japan’s Supreme Court issued a decision finding a violation of laicism. This is the case known as the Confucius Temple case, which was discussed. Laicism is an area where, along with equality, the Japanese Supreme Court has often ruled unconstitutional. In light of this, there is a need to rethink how the Supreme Court’s attitude to the principle of separation of church and state should be considered. This article briefly explains laicism in Japan and then examines four well-known Supreme Court decisions.