Even if the gyobusho (ministry of justice) decided that the death sentence was appropriate, fukuso (reporting to the Emperor after repeating research) was performed three times with the Emperor, and the Emperor had to approve the execution of the death sentence.
たとえ、刑部省などで死罪が適当とする判決が出されたとしても、3回天皇に覆奏（三覆奏）を行って天皇から許しを得た場合に死罪が執行されることとなっていた。