起訴(きそ)

きそ
noun / verb (suru)
indictment, prosecution
1. indictment, prosecution, pressing charges
The formal act of bringing criminal charges against someone in court. In Japan, only prosecutors have the authority to indict.
容疑者(ようぎしゃ)が起訴(きそ)された。
The suspect was indicted.
検察(けんさつ)は証拠(しょうこ)不十分(ふじゅうぶん)で不起訴(ふきそ)にした。
The prosecution decided not to indict due to insufficient evidence.
日本(にほん)では起訴(きそ)されると有罪(ゆうざい)判決(はんけつ)が出(で)る確率(かくりつ)が非常(ひじょう)に高(たか)い。
In Japan, the probability of a guilty verdict once indicted is extremely high.

USAGE:
Used as a する verb: 起訴(きそ)する (to indict, to prosecute). The passive 起訴(きそ)される (to be indicted) is very common in news reporting.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 起訴(きそ)する: to indict, to prosecute
  • 不起訴(ふきそ): non-indictment, decision not to prosecute
  • 起訴(きそ)猶予(ゆうよ): suspended indictment
  • 起訴(きそ)状(じょう): indictment document

CULTURAL NOTE:
Japan's conviction rate after indictment exceeds 99%, so prosecutors are very selective about which cases they bring to trial. The decision to indict or not (不起訴(ふきそ)) is itself a major news event.

Related Words

Related: 証拠(しょうこ)
general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
10500/10577_kiso