案件

• Reading: あんけん
• Romaji: anken
• Kanji breakdown: 案 (plan/proposal) + 件 (matter/case) → a business matter, specifically a sponsorship deal in internet context
• Pronunciation: /a.n.ke.n/

Meaning

Sponsored content or a paid promotion deal — when a creator is paid by a company to feature their product or service.

案件 originally means 'matter/case' in business Japanese, but in internet and streaming culture it specifically refers to sponsored content deals. When a creator does an 案件, they are being paid to promote something. Japanese viewers are generally savvy about spotting 案件 content, and creators who do too many sponsored posts may face criticism. The term is used both descriptively ('これ案件でしょ' — this is clearly sponsored) and as a label ('案件動画' — sponsored video). Transparency about 案件 is increasingly expected.

Examples

1. この動画どう見ても案件だよね。 This video is obviously a sponsorship, right?
2. 案件多すぎて最近つまらなくなったな。 They've been doing so many sponsored posts lately that it's gotten boring.
3. 好きな配信者が案件で紹介してたから買ってみた。 My favorite streamer promoted it in a sponsorship deal so I decided to try it.

Usage Guide

Context: YouTube, streaming, social media, content creation

Tone: knowing, sometimes cynical

Do Say

• これ案件じゃない？ (Isn't this sponsored content?)
• 案件でも正直にレビューしてくれる人は信頼できる。 (Creators who give honest reviews even in sponsored content are trustworthy.)

Don't Say

• ビジネスの場で案件をスポンサード動画の意味で使う (In business settings, 案件 still means 'project/case' — the sponsorship meaning is internet slang)

Common Mistakes

• Using 案件 in a business meeting thinking it means sponsorship — in formal contexts it still means 'matter' or 'project'
• Not knowing that 案件 is often used critically when viewers suspect undisclosed sponsorship

Origin & History

Originally a standard business/legal term meaning 'matter' or 'case' (案件). Adopted by the internet community in the late 2010s to specifically describe sponsored content deals between companies and creators. The shift reflects the professionalization of content creation.

Cultural Context

Era: Late 2010s internet meaning, original term much older

Generation: Millennials and Gen Z

Social background: Internet-savvy users

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Reflects growing awareness of influencer marketing and disclosure requirements in Japanese social media.