減産

• Reading: げんさん
• Romaji: gensan
• Kanji breakdown: 減 (gen) — decrease, reduce; 産 (san) — production, output, yield
• Pronunciation: /ɡen.saɴ/

Meaning

Production cut; reduction in output; curtailment of manufacturing or supply.

A noun used in industrial, economic, and news contexts to describe a deliberate reduction in the volume of goods produced, typically in response to weak demand, oversupply, or external shocks. Frequently used in discussions of oil production (OPECの減産), automobile manufacturing, and semiconductor supply chains. The opposite is 増産 (production increase).

Examples

1. OPECは原油価格の下支えを狙い、協調減産を決定した。 OPEC decided on coordinated production cuts aimed at supporting crude oil prices.
2. 半導体メーカーは需要低迷を受けて大規模な減産に踏み切った。 Semiconductor manufacturers undertook large-scale production cuts in response to sluggish demand.
3. 減産による供給不足が部品価格の上昇を招いた。 Supply shortages caused by production cuts led to rising component prices.

Usage Guide

Context: industry, economics, commodities, supply chain

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 減 (gen, to reduce/decrease) and 産 (san, production/output/yield). A straightforward compound meaning a decrease in productive output, following the common Japanese pattern of verb-noun compounds.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business/Industrial