マルチ商法

• 読み: マルチしょうほう
• ローマ字: maruchi shōhō
• 漢字の分解: マルチ (from English 'multi,' short for multi-level) + 商法 (business method; 商 = commerce + 法 = law/method) → multi-level marketing scheme
• 発音: /ma.ɾu.tɕi.ɕoː.hoː/

意味

Multi-level marketing (MLM) or pyramid scheme — a business model widely regarded as predatory in Japan.

マルチ商法 is one of the most reviled business practices in Japanese society. Stories of friendships ruined by MLM recruitment are extremely common — the phrase '久しぶりに連絡してきたと思ったらマルチの勧誘だった' (they contacted me after a long time and it turned out to be MLM recruitment) is a shared experience. Japanese law technically distinguishes between legal 連鎖販売取引 (chain sales) and illegal ネズミ講 (pyramid schemes), but socially, マルチ商法 is universally negative.

例文

1. 大学の友達から久しぶりに連絡きたと思ったらマルチ商法の勧誘だった。
2. マルチ商法に引っかかって借金作った人を何人も知ってる。
3. それマルチ商法じゃない？「権利収入」とか言ってくるやつは大体怪しい。

使い方ガイド

場面: social media, friends, warnings, daily conversation

トーン: critical, warning

正しい言い方

• それマルチ商法っぽいから距離置いた方がいいよ。 (That sounds like an MLM — you should keep your distance.)
• マルチ商法の見分け方って意外と知らない人多い。 (A lot of people surprisingly don't know how to spot MLMs.)

避ける言い方

• マルチ商法に誘っている人に面と向かって「マルチだろ」と言うと関係が壊れる — 上手にかわすのが得策 (Directly confronting an MLM recruiter with 'That's an MLM' can destroy the relationship — deflecting gracefully is wiser)

よくある間違い

• Confusing マルチ商法 (MLM, legally gray) with ネズミ講 (pyramid scheme, outright illegal) — both are negatively viewed but legally distinct in Japan

起源と歴史

From English 'multi' (マルチ, short for multi-level) + 商法 (business method/commerce law). The term gained notoriety in Japan from the 1970s onward as MLM companies entered the Japanese market and recruitment-related social problems became widespread.

文化的背景

時代: 1970s onwards, heightened awareness from 2000s

世代: All ages, recruitment commonly targets 20s-30s

社会的背景: Universal awareness

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Common MLM companies in Japan include Amway, Nu Skin, and various domestic operations. Consumer protection centers (消費生活センター) handle MLM complaints.