01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

I don't do well in summer.

Due to noise sensitivity

related to being autistic,

low sounds are difficult for me to hear,

and high-pitched sounds echo unpleasantly.

So when I try to fall asleep

and hear that sound

the sound of a mosquito buzzing around,

it makes me go, "Ahhh!"

Well, something like that

makes me go, "Ahhh!" too.

Also, we've switched to cooler clothes

at work since it's hot.

But I can't let go of the feel of clothes

once my body gets used to them.

So, even in summer,

I wear long sleeves and a tie.

My sensory sensitivities make temperature

and humidity changes hard too.

The heat sometimes makes me dizzy.

Doing unfamiliar things can trigger

restlessness and anxiety, you know.

During this season, it becomes harder

for me to appear normal,

and I'm more likely to be looked at

strangely by others.

You haven't told anyone?

You haven't told your coworkers the ways

you experience things differently?

No, I haven't.

Actually, I haven't either.

Me neither.

I end up frustrating my coworkers

when I can't do things they find simple.

Raise your hand

if you've told those around you.

I have.

Is this something we should really

be telling other people?

It depends on the person.

Since it is a spectrum,

individual traits vary greatly.

Everyone is different.

More people have told

their peers than I expected.

A lot of today's participants were hired

through disability hiring programs.

I can't tell anyone.

You may want to tell someone one day.

So they can truly understand you.

No, that's not something I can do.

How would people feel being judged by you

given your developmental disability?

If you're serious about this line of work,

you shouldn't tell anyone.

I am an alien.

I live by mimicking Earthlings.

I can't let anyone know

who I truly am.

THEMIS' UNCERTAIN COUR

EPISODE 3

THE QUALITIES OF A JUDGE

Ahhh!

Behind electrical appliances, drains,

ventilators, bundles of wires, and more

"And more"?

And more

And more

And more

And more

And more

And more

And more

And more

YAOMI TRANSPORT CO. LTD

Who are you people?

I'm a court officer

from Maebashi District Court First Branch.

What?

On July 2nd, 2025,

one of your drivers, Yoshiyuki Sakuma,

caused an accident while on duty.

One passerby was involved, and both her

and Mr. Sakuma were k*lled.

Yoshiyuki Sakuma's daughter,

Eri Shinomiya,

believes the accident

was caused by overwork.

A request for preservation of evidence

was filed through legal counsel.

Here are the notifications from the court.

From 10:30 a.m.,

the judge and counsel for the petitioner

will commence evidence preservation--

Huh?

Mr. Ando?

Apologies for the delay.

Huh?

You still have an hour

until the process begins.

Are you okay, though?

I've fallen down twice on my way here.

Wait, if you count now,

it's the third time.

You overslept because of a mosquito?

Yes, a common house mosquito.

It happened late at night.

I was cleaning areas they might breed,

and stayed up too late.

Here you are.

DEFENSE COUNSEL

EIKO HOZUMI

So that's the Judge Ando

everyone's been talking about.

People are talking about him, then?

I've heard he's eccentric.

Next up, the news.

Thefts of outdoor AC units have surged

around Gunma Prefecture recently.

The stolen units are believed

to be taken to scrap dealers,

where valuable metals

such as copper are extracted.

We must protect the units at all costs.

What was that?

If they were stolen,

the AC would be unusable.

Using a screen door is terrifying,

and I don't want

to hear that whooshing sound

by my ears again.

You only look at people's mouths

when they speak, don't you?

You never make eye contact.

That

That's not true.

Take a look at this.

My granddaughter.

Isn't she cute?

And my other granddaughters, too.

I heard you had four daughters,

but all of your grandkids are girls, too.

That's an unusually high ratio of girls.

Since I live away from my family

I rarely get to see everyone.

Reluctance here, reluctance there,

spinning reluctantly everywhere

Even the reluctant guy has some soul

Um, Chief?

Apparently, a judge stuck unwillingly

in branch courts wrote it.

Only two more years

serving this miserable sentence to go.

Don't make it sound like you're in prison.

After I retire,

I'm going to live with my family in Tokyo.

I'll make a ton of money.

I'll become a notary public,

drafting documents for the state.

I've heard there aren't many

opportunities for notary publics in Tokyo.

That's why I'm pulling every string I can

and I'm starting to lay the groundwork.

-We're back.

-Welcome back.

A motion of preservation of evidence

with a plan to claim damages.

That overworked truck driver?

That's right.

In 2024 and 2025,

consecutive regulations were introduced

concerning work practices

and operations in the logistics industry.

Before and after the law was enacted,

around 200 hours of annual overtime

are no longer allowed.

There is a persistent driver shortage.

The logistics industry

is facing a mountain of problems.

Ando, why are you staring into my eyes

like that while talking?

I'm acting as I always do.

Sure, but if you go around

staring at me like that,

it'll make me blush and fall for you.

That would be a problem.

Mr. Ando, you really don't get jokes,

do you?

Anyway, let's handle this as a panel.

-Yes, sir.

-Yes, sir.

Are you ready?

Hey, are you sure we can trust Judge Ando

to handle this case?

You're certain?

I'm seriously nervous.

I felt the same way at first.

It's only excitement from here on out.

I'm looking forward

to seeing Judge Kadokura in action.

He's got a reputation as a rebel.

I've wanted to work on a trial with him.

Mr. Kadokura? A rebel?

As far as I know,

he's just some drunk old man.

I want to believe even the little guy

has a soul.

I see.

That defense counsel

is the Craftsmen of Law.

Huh?

Unbelievable, right?

Why on earth would a major company

represent a small transport firm?

About to find out.

All rise.

FIRST HEARING

Case No. 4 of 2025.

The plaintiff, Ms. Eri Shinomiya.

The defendant, Yaomi Transport Co. Ltd.

Now then, let's proceed.

Here are the details of the accident.

The truck Mr. Sakuma was driving

approached a downhill slope

and was unable to make a gentle curve,

tipping over.

Tire marks indicate the truck was driving

recklessly until moments before.

There is a possibility that Mr. Sakuma

had lost consciousness.

He was previously involved in

an overwork-related accident

which was recognized as work-related.

At Yaomi Transport, overtime work

was a common occurrence.

That was before 2024.

After the law was revised,

overtime work was within regulated limits.

If you look at the records,

you'll see that.

Isn't this about record tampering?

Objection!

That statement could amount to defamation.

Objection sustained.

Plaintiff's counsel, not in the record

doesn't mean tampering. Irrational claim.

I apologize.

However, if you look at this document,

you'll see it isn't reckless.

Take a look.

Your Honor.

Over here, not over there please.

Ah, right.

Small transport companies

have been going under in recent years.

Yaomi Transport is also unable

to replace drivers due to staff shortages.

If only overtime hours

are forcibly reduced,

naturally, the amount of goods

they can transport should decrease.

However, for some reason, Yaomi Transport

is still transporting goods as usual.

Don't you think that's strange?

It's thanks to business resources.

All we did was review

the four core business resources.

Labor, materials, capital,

and information.

Business resources.

Business resources. Business resources.

The shaking has begun.

The accident was due

to the individual's own negligence.

Mr. Sakuma suffered

from sleep apnea syndrome.

Due to his condition, he was in a daze.

And although he was aware

of his condition,

isn't it true he continued to drive?

Objection!

There is no such basis for that claim.

That statement is purely speculative.

Business resources.

This lawsuit is clearly a case

of the plaintiff shifting responsibility.

The accident caused a fatality.

The plaintiff doesn't want to think

her father is to blame.

That's why we are being sued.

Objection!

That remark

unfairly insults the plaintiff.

Judge Kadokura, we are in litigation.

Judge Kadokura, may I speak?

Before that, the plaintiff's counsel

has raised two objections.

Remind me?

First, the claim that the accident

was caused by a lack of sleep.

Second, the claim that the plaintiff

is trying to shift the blame.

Both objections are sustained.

If the defense wants to make those claims,

it must present clear supporting evidence.

We will comply.

Judge Ando, go ahead.

What are "business resources"?

"Business resources" is an abstract term.

Explain the steps taken for labor,

materials, capital, and information.

SPECIFIC MEASURES IMPLEMENTED

TO IMPROVE LABOR EFFICIENCY

-Good work today.

-See you tomorrow.

I'm going home. Goodbye.

Mr. Ando.

Won't you be hot on your way home?

Oh, right.

Oh, Mr. Ando.

You were the same as always

in today's overwork death case.

I was the same me as always?

Why did you observe the trial?

-It's a secret.

-I see.

Goodbye, then.

Wait, what're you in such a rush for?

Why are you following me?

You're going to Paloma, right?

I thought I'd go too.

No, I have plans today.

Oh, right.

Regarding business resources

You're curious

about the defense counsel's claim, right?

You can't go talk

to the defendants' company.

The court can't collect evidence itself

in civil trials.

I understand. That's why I'm going

to investigate the business world.

It's a field trip.

Thank you

for going out of your way to take me.

You owe me one.

What do you mean by "owe"?

Mr. Ando, why did you want

to become a practitioner of the law?

Why are you asking about that

in this situation?

It's something I've been curious

about for a while now.

The Compendium of Basic Laws.

When I was 14, I found

the Compendium of Basic Laws at home.

It was a book of society's rules

A textbook for how to live.

When I finished reading it,

I felt a deep sense of relief.

That was what drew me to the law.

Yes? What is it?

It's nothing.

The light has turned green.

Right.

Oh?

But why did you have theCompendium

of Basic Laws at home?

Do you have any family members

in the legal profession?

We will soon arrive at your destination.

Thank you very much.

Around here is fine, thank you.

Sure.

MAEBASHI CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

We'd get nowhere

if we stuck to work-hour rules.

We don't have enough staff.

Who is that guy?

I heard he's a judge.

A judge? Why?

Well, you know how

Yaomi Transport's getting sued?

Apparently, he's in charge of that.

He's been asking

about the logistics industry.

Speaking of, didn't you say

you used to work at Yaomi Transport?

I am Judge Ando from Maebashi

District Court First Branch.

-May I ask you a few quest--

-Got nothing to say to a judge.

The law is full of crap.

All you do is change the rules for things

you know nothing about.

The law is a set of rules made by humans

for humans and is thus not infallible.

It doesn't always protect

those in weaker positions.

Then what are we protected by?

The Labor Contract, Labor Standards,

and Worker's Accident Compensation Acts.

The law is a right given

to all citizens to protect themselves.

In simpler terms, it's a weapon.

Depending on how you use the weapon,

it can protect you.

Telling me all that doesn't help,

since I don't know how to use it.

Everything is written in here.

It's ¥15,950.

And the compact edition

is ¥2,530 yen.

Trusting the law isn't a bad thing.

Hey, Togashi.

-Let's go.

-Coming.

Many transport companies go out

of business even if they follow the law.

Revenue from deliveries for major clients

had been sustained through overtime work.

If working hours were followed,

they wouldn't survive.

So they continued as always

until they were shut down.

But there's joint government

and private support too, right?

For example

PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR PROJEC

TO SOLVE THE LOGISTICS CRISIS

CHANGE LOGISTICS IN JAPAN

The logistics industry

is currently facing its biggest crisis.

To overcome this logistics crisis,

we want to actively implement DX,

which stands for digital transformation.

We are

Implementing it will require

significant costs.

-Too much for small businesses.

-That's true.

Even if this were to be implemented,

most drivers are around my age,

so they couldn't keep up with DX.

Makes sense since you're against

the court going digital, too.

Important things become clear offline.

Very retro.

That's right, I'm of the retro generation.

So I'm in support of going out for drinks.

Anyway, the trend is that big companies

survive while small ones are left behind.

Also, what did you conclude

from your field trip?

I don't think Yaomi Transport's efforts

are enough to prevent poor performance.

It seems that overwork

has likely continued as before.

The cause of the accident

was the individual's own negligence.

Excessive labor is unthinkable

in this day and age.

We submit Defendant's Exhibit 37.

It shows the dashcam footage

from the truck driven by Yoshiyuki Sakuma

the day of the accident.

Part of Yaomi Transport's work

is carrying fresh produce

from rural areas to the Kanto region.

Before 2024, it is true that many drivers,

including Mr. Sakuma,

drove through the night to deliver goods.

However, once the regulations

were implemented,

we switched to relay transport,

which involves swapping drivers mid-route.

This practice was also followed

on the day of the accident.

Yet even so, overwork still occurred?

Just because relay transport

was conducted on long-distance routes,

it doesn't mean regular overwork

didn't occur elsewhere.

Now, we will submit the remaining data

from the truck driven

by Mr. Sakuma as evidence.

Please do so promptly.

Yes, Your Honor.

The cause of the accident

was Mr. Sakuma's own health issues.

There is also one other possibility.

Does the plaintiff

have any idea?

Huh?

You didn't know?

Your father

had been working a side job

without the company's knowledge.

We submit Defendant's Exhibit 38.

This is the payroll

from Mr. Sakuma's other company.

Mr. Sakuma

had a prior conviction for theft.

When the plaintiff was in grade school,

her parents divorced.

He rejoined society after that.

The plaintiff

is studying veterinary medicine

at a private university.

It's a six-year program,

so the costs are high.

Once the plaintiff started university,

Mr. Sakuma worked as a driver

and an on-site guard to pay child support.

If overwork did occur

he did it to himself.

That settles it.

Hmm

Hmm

Are you alright?

Let's go, Ando.

Okay.

They'll probably drop the case

after that, huh?

What's wrong?

Will the court propose a settlement?

Well, based on the current evidence,

the alleged overwork did not occur.

Hmm

Ando, can you tell me what that

"Hmm" is supposed to mean?

Reducing labor times business resources

equals maintaining sales.

I just can't believe that it works.

Hmm

Bye.

Wow, wow, wow.

I just received a call

from the secretariat.

It's about the wrongful death

damages claim due to overwork.

Someone wants to tell us the truth

about what happened.

There's a whistleblower.

There wasn't overwork

but it looked like there was.

There wasn't, but there was?

What does that mean?

It seems they want to meet

in person to discuss it in detail.

Wait a minute.

Why did that person contact the court?

Why not the plaintiff's counsel?

It seems they want to talk to Mr. Ando.

Me?

Why name Mr. Ando specifically?

His name's Kazuto Togashi.

Do you know him?

I spoke with him during my field trip.

He was in the audience today, too.

It seems he will be here

in three days at one p.m.

Is this something

a judge should be handling?

Well, he did ask for him by name.

Let's hear him out first

before we respond.

We'll attend, too.

Understood.

THERE WASN'T, BUT THERE WAS

There wasn't, but there was.

There wasn't, but there was.

There wasn't

TOSHIYA KISHIBE

HELLO. IT'S TOSHIYA.

I recently told my coworkers

about my condition.

That's because after a series of mistakes,

I felt I wouldn't be able to keep working.

I think everyone understands the ways

I experience things differently.

I also feel like they know

the real me now.

I wondered whether I could be a judge,

given my developmental disability.

Without clear rules

I always get confused.

But in the law,

everyone is held to the same rules.

I make judgments based on those rules.

Emotions are not needed at all.

I think it suits me well.

How about the person being judged?

What?

How would people feel being judged by you

given your developmental disability?

Discrimination and prejudice

will never go away.

If you're serious about this line of work,

you shouldn't tell anyone.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

I want to go to Genki Bathhouse.

Huh?

I want to go to Genki Bathhouse.

Huh?

I want to go to Genki Bathhouse.

Oh, if you're going to Genki Bathhouse,

head diagonally left at the Y road ahead.

I don't get what you're saying.

Huh?

Um, uh, please wait a moment.

I'M HAPP--

Ahhh!

Excuse me, could you please help me?

I want to go soon.

I It's on my way home,

so I'll take you there.

P Please wait a m moment.

I'M HAPPY FOR YOU

Thank you for waiting. Let's go.

GENKI BATHHOUSE

Here it is.

Oh, it's Genki Bathhouse!

Thank you very much!

No bag.

No bag.

Ahhh!

You're saying

someone went through your bag.

So, does that mean nothing was stolen?

Correct.

Kazuto Togashi

contacted the secretariat.

He said he can't testify.

Why the sudden change?

Apparently, it got out

that he was meeting directly

with Mr. Ando.

Does it have anything

to do with Mr. Ando's belongings?

You said this Togashi guy

was in the audience, right?

The plaintiff's counsel most likely

caught wind of him being in contact

with Ando

and started digging into him.

They probably used a detective.

Most likely.

I've heard that the Craftsman of Law

collaborates with a detective agency.

I'm heading

to the Maebashi Central Logistics Center.

But

Mr. Togashi already quit his job.

It seems he suddenly became unreachable.

The defense counsel took him in.

They're one step ahead.

They'll make sure

he doesn't try to talk again.

Hey, Ando.

Why did you forget your bag?

A message from an acquaintance.

Escape from a mosquito.

A foreign tourist asked for help.

Three things happened simultaneously.

That's your reason?

That was the reason.

Such important information must be handled

with the utmost care.

And yet

You left the bag with said information.

An inexcusable mistake.

We should inform

the plaintiff's counsel about this, right?

What a mess.

It's unclear what the cause is.

We just don't know.

However

We know Ando left his bag.

And the whistleblower

said he can no longer testify.

We believe these two things

are somehow connected.

Right now, I'd like to offer

my sincerest apologies.

I am very sorry.

Using dirty tricks, huh?

I'm just the fall guy.

In any case, one thing has become clear.

You're hiding an inconvenient truth.

We will offer a condolence payment.

What was that?

How about we settle this?

For ¥500 thousand.

Don't be ridiculous!

Ms. Eri Shinomiya,

how about it?

Go ahead

and say what you think.

I

I hated my father.

My father committed a crime,

and then divorced my mom.

Then my mom

She started to work so she could raise me.

Wanna go take a photo?

I was always alone.

I resented my father.

Look what you're putting us through.

Do you know how hard Mom

has to work every day?

Pay child support at the very least.

I don't want to see you ever again.

Don't come back here.

I never saw him again.

I didn't even know

he was paying child support

until after he passed away.

I didn't know a single thing about him.

That's why I want to know

what happened in the end.

Did someone really die because of him?

I want to know the truth.

I want

to continue the trial.

I can sympathize

with how you feel.

Now then, let's move on

to the countersuit.

We're suing you.

We're seeking

¥8 million in damages.

Defense counsel,

are you serious?

Due to Mr. Yoshiyuki Sakuma's negligence,

someone has died.

The company must pay

significant compensation to the family.

And yet the plaintiff

has filed a lawsuit, shifting the blame.

The company's public credibility

has been ruined.

We believe it's a reasonable amount.

We will file the lawsuit in one week.

Goodbye then.

Clearly a SLAPP lawsuit.

They're filing a high damage claim

to intimidate the plaintiff.

So it would seem.

However, unlike overseas, it's difficult

to authorize a SLAPP suit in Japan.

If your judge hadn't messed up,

this wouldn't have happened.

Well

maybe I'll get drunk tonight.

How about it?

Want to get a drink together?

No, thank you.

You won't join even if I asked, huh?

Actually

I don't want to be around you right now.

Mr. Kadokura

I often forget things in my daily life.

And I can't do more

than one thing at a time.

Ms. Ochiai

I don't understand jokes.

I tend to take things literally.

I try to pass as normal.

But

I don't fit the norm.

I

I

I understand now.

The Maebashi Court First Branch's

judges are completely unreliable.

The Maebashi Family m*rder case

Even if we request a retrial for it,

it may not be properly considered.

They even carried out the death sentence

on someone who maintained his innocence.

The legal world's Pandora's box.

Are you really considering

joining the defense team?

That's precisely why.

Go ahead and start building the evidence.

I will.

CAFE PALOMA

Oh, welcome!

Um

Has Mr. Ando come in today?

No. Actually, he hasn't

come in for the past few days.

He used to come in almost every day,

so it's thrown me off.

He must've gotten sick of

my ketchup spaghetti.

Mr. Yuki?

Go ahead. I'll meet you there.

Yes, sir.

It's been a while.

It was December 13th, 13 years ago.

The day I told you in this cafe

that I wanted to become a judge.

I've continued working as a judge

while keeping that part of myself hidden.

However

I can't do it anymore.

If I were a defendant, I wouldn't

want to be judged by someone like me.

I'm not suited to be a judge.

I think I should quit.

Wouldn't you agree?

Dad.

He told me I shouldn't tell anyone.

It's a letter of resignation.

You can't quit.

I just want to know the truth.

Please, I just want to work!

I want to offer you a settlement.

Don't mock the judicial system.