assistant judge; judge-in-training
A junior judicial position in the Japanese court system, typically held for the first ten years after passing the bar exam. They handle cases independently but cannot sit alone in a three-judge panel.
He was assigned to a district court as an assistant judge.
An assistant judge can handle cases alone but cannot preside over a collegiate panel.
Compound of 判事 (judge) and 補 (assistant, supplementary). The term reflects the role as a supporting or trainee judge within the Japanese judiciary.