軍縮

• Reading: ぐんしゅく
• Romaji: gunshuku
• Kanji breakdown: 軍 (gun) — military, army; 縮 (shuku) — shrink, reduce
• Pronunciation: /ɡɯ.ɴ.ɕɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

Disarmament; arms reduction. The process of reducing or limiting a nation's military forces, weapons, or expenditure.

Short for 軍備縮小 (reduction of armaments). Appears frequently in diplomatic and international relations discourse. Common collocations include 核軍縮 (nuclear disarmament), 軍縮交渉 (disarmament negotiations), and 軍縮条約 (arms reduction treaty). Contrasts with 軍拡 (arms expansion) and 再軍備 (rearmament).

Examples

1. 冷戦終結後、両国の間で軍縮交渉が進展した。 After the end of the Cold War, disarmament negotiations between the two countries made progress.
2. 核軍縮を推進するための多国間条約が締結された。 A multilateral treaty was concluded to promote nuclear disarmament.
3. 予算削減を背景に、政府は段階的な軍縮方針を打ち出した。 Against the backdrop of budget cuts, the government announced a policy of gradual arms reduction.

Usage Guide

Context: international relations, diplomacy, defence policy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Abbreviation of 軍備縮小 (gunbi shukushō). 軍 (gun) means military; 縮 (shuku) means to contract or reduce. The term gained prominence in the early 20th century amid international disarmament conferences.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated