Kazuyuki Higashio is a judge in the Tokyo District Court. He has three years of experience dealing with a wide variety of criminal cases. Following the introduction of the jury system to the Japanese judiciary in 2009, he has dealt with many jury trials. Prior to joining the U.S.-Asia Law Institute, Judge Higashio received his LL.M. degree from the NYU School of Law. He received his LL.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of Tokyo.