中央集権

• Reading: ちゅうおうしゅうけん
• Romaji: chūō shūken
• Kanji breakdown: 中 (chū/naka) — centre, middle; 央 (ō) — centre; 集 (shū/atsu) — to gather, concentrate; 権 (ken) — authority, power
• Pronunciation: /tɕɯː.oː.ɕɯː.keɴ/

Meaning

Centralisation of power; centralised government. A system in which political authority and decision-making are concentrated at the national level rather than distributed among local governments.

中央集権 stands in contrast to 地方分権 (decentralisation of power). The Meiji government established a highly centralised system to modernise Japan rapidly, replacing the feudal domain structure with prefectures under central control (廃藩置県). Contemporary policy debate often weighs the efficiency of central coordination against the need for local autonomy and regional self-determination.

Examples

1. 明治政府は中央集権体制を確立して近代国家を築いた。 The Meiji government established a centralised system and built a modern nation-state.
2. 中央集権から地方分権へのシフトが改革の柱となっている。 A shift from centralisation to decentralisation is a pillar of the reform agenda.
3. 過度な中央集権は地方の自律性を損なうという批判がある。 There is criticism that excessive centralisation undermines local autonomy.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, governance, history, policy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 中央 (centre, central) and 集権 (concentration of power; 集 = to gather, 権 = authority, power). Describes the gathering of authority to the centre.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal