議決

• Reading: ぎけつ
• Romaji: giketsu
• Kanji breakdown: 議 (gi) — deliberation, discussion; 決 (ketsu) — decide, resolve
• Pronunciation: /ɡi.ke.tsɯ/

Meaning

Resolution; vote; parliamentary decision. A formal decision reached by deliberation and voting in a legislative or governing body.

Used with する (議決する) to mean 'to pass a resolution' or 'to vote on a matter.' Appears frequently in coverage of the Diet, local assemblies, and corporate board meetings. Distinct from 決議 in that 議決 emphasises the procedural act of voting, while 決議 stresses the resulting resolution as a document.

Examples

1. 委員会は賛成多数でその議案を議決した。 The committee passed the bill by a majority vote.
2. 予算案の議決が遅れ、暫定予算での運営が続いている。 The budget resolution was delayed, and operations continued under a provisional budget.
3. 地方議会での議決を経なければ、条例は施行できない。 An ordinance cannot be enacted without a vote by the local assembly.

Usage Guide

Context: parliament, legislation, governance, corporate law

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 議 (gi) means deliberation or discussion; 決 (ketsu) means to decide or resolve. Together they denote a decision reached through formal deliberation.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated