Definitional Balancing in the U.S. Supreme Court: Theory and Practice

• Project/Area Number: 25380041
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Public law
• Research Institution: Seinan Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Nasu Yuji 西南学院大学, 法学部, 教授 (40399233)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
• Keywords: 表現の自由 / 有害表現 / 定義付け衡量 / 違憲審査基準論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

“Definitional balancing approach” is not fully appreciated and does not work properly in Japanese courts and legislatures. As a result, our country has not been able to respond to contemporary problems caused by various kinds of harmful speech. Keeping it in mind, I conducted this study. I explored framework of Frederick Schauer’s theory, which systematically analyzed definitional balancing approach. I also examined other theorists and Supreme Court cases concerning harmful speech under the current Roberts Court, in order to clarify some crucial elements of definitional balancing approach. Finally I analyzed relevant Supreme Court cases before the Roberts Court.