The chief justice of the Supreme Court of Japan (最高裁判所長官, Saikōsaibansho-chōkan) is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of Japan and is the head of the judicial branch of the Japanese government.
The chief justice is ceremonially appointed by the emperor of Japan after being nominated by the Cabinet; in practice, this is following the recommendation of the retiring chief justice.
The Imperial Investiture (親任式, Shinninshiki) is an official inauguration ceremony whereby the Emperor of Japan formally appoints the Prime Minister of Japan or the Chief Justice of Japan to office. In practice, the Prime Minister is nominated by the Diet, while the Chief Justice is nominated by the Cabinet. The Emperor is constitutionally required to appoint the nominated person, without the right to decline appointment.
During the time period of the Empire of Japan, as the Emperor was the source of executive authority, there were also investitures held for military officials. Such appointees were called the Shinninkan (親任官).