事なかれ主義

• 読み: ことなかれしゅぎ
• ローマ字: kotonakare shugi
• 漢字の分解: 事 (matter/trouble) + なかれ (classical: let there not be) + 主義 (principle) → the principle of avoiding trouble
• 発音: /ko.to.na.ka.re.ɕu.gi/

意味

A don't-rock-the-boat mentality — the principle of avoiding trouble, conflict, or controversy at all costs.

Describes a deeply ingrained attitude in Japanese institutional culture where maintaining the status quo is prioritised over solving problems or taking risks. It is overwhelmingly used critically to describe bosses, politicians, or organisations that sweep issues under the rug rather than addressing them. The term captures frustration with a passive, risk-averse approach to leadership and governance.

例文

1. うちの上司は事なかれ主義だから問題をいつも先送りにする。
2. 事なかれ主義じゃ何も変わらないよ。
3. 日本の政治って事なかれ主義の典型だと思う。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, politics, social commentary

トーン: critical, frustrated

正しい言い方

• 事なかれ主義の管理職が多すぎる (There are too many managers with a don't-rock-the-boat mentality)
• 事なかれ主義はもうやめにしよう (Let's stop this conflict-avoidance mentality)

避ける言い方

• 上司に面と向かって「事なかれ主義ですね」は挑発的すぎる (Saying 'you're all about avoiding trouble' directly to your boss is too provocative)

よくある間違い

• Confusing 事なかれ主義 with genuine prudence or caution — it specifically implies avoiding problems rather than solving them
• Using it as a positive trait — it is almost always used critically

起源と歴史

Compound of 事なかれ (let there be no trouble, using the classical negation なかれ) + 主義 (principle/ideology). Long used to critique risk-averse leadership in Japanese organisations and politics.

文化的背景

時代: Long-standing term, increasingly used in modern social criticism

世代: Adults 20s and above

社会的背景: Professional and political discourse

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. A common critique of Japanese organisational and political culture.