Corruption has been a recurring historical phenomenon in Japanese society, manifesting at various levels ranging from the individual to the systemic. This phenomenon encompasses a spectrum of behaviours, from minor forms of corruption to significant grand corruption. It has been documented that at least a dozen terms in the Japanese language are employed to describe corruption. These terms are used to characterize corruption as a grave threat to the integrity of society and to emphasize its role as a criminal act that undermines the principles of fairness and justice. Taishinin, the precursor to the contemporary Supreme Court of Japan, played a pivotal role in preserving the prewar Japanese state political system’s hegemonic governance. This was achieved through the implementation of commendable judicial accountability measures and stringent rulings against corruption. The court’s judgements meticulously record the firsthand accounts of the actions taken by Taishinin in pursuit of this strategic objective, offering a comprehensive documentation of its judicial behaviour.