平和主義

• Reading: へいわしゅぎ
• Romaji: heiwashugi
• Kanji breakdown: 平 (hei/tai) — flat, peace; 和 (wa) — harmony, peace; 主 (shu) — main, principle; 義 (gi) — righteousness, doctrine
• Pronunciation: /heː.wa.ɕɯ.ɡi/

Meaning

Pacifism; peace principle. The doctrine that disputes between nations should be settled by peaceful means and that war and violence are unjustifiable.

In Japan, 平和主義 is one of the three founding principles of the 1947 Constitution, alongside 国民主権 (popular sovereignty) and 基本的人権の尊重 (respect for fundamental human rights). Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces war and the threat of force, is the constitutional embodiment of this principle. Debates about revising Article 9 are framed in terms of whether they undermine 平和主義.

Examples

1. 日本国憲法は平和主義を基本原則の一つとして明確に掲げており、第九条がその象徴とされている。 The Constitution of Japan clearly upholds pacifism as one of its fundamental principles, with Article 9 serving as its symbol.
2. 平和主義の立場から、政府の防衛費増額計画に反対する市民団体が声明を発表した。 From a pacifist standpoint, civic groups issued a statement opposing the government's plan to increase defense spending.
3. 国際社会における平和主義の実践には、単なる非戦にとどまらず積極的な外交努力が求められる。 Practicing pacifism in the international community requires not merely the avoidance of war but proactive diplomatic efforts.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, constitutional law, international relations, social movements

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 平和 (heiwa, peace) and 主義 (shugi, principle/ism). The term became central to Japanese political vocabulary after the Second World War and the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war–Contemporary

Generation: All ages

Social background: General