National Diet Building
At the apex of the judicial hierarchy is the Supreme Court (最高裁判所 "Saikō saibansho"), located adjacent to the National Diet Building. The "Grand Bench" (大法廷 "Daihōtei") of the Supreme Court has associate justices, who are appointed by the Cabinet with the Emperor's attestation. The Chief Justice is nominated by the Cabinet and appointed to office by the Emperor. The Grand Bench is subdivided into three "Petty Benches" (小法廷 "Shōhōtei") of five justices each, who hear incoming appeals and recommend them for an audience before the Grand Bench. An appeal to the Supreme Court is called "jōkoku" (上告), and requires either an error in the interpretation of the Constitution, or an error in the interpretation of case law from the Supreme Court or a high court.