報復措置

• Reading: ほうふくそち
• Romaji: hōfukusochi
• Kanji breakdown: 報 (hō) — repay, report; 復 (fuku) — return, retaliate; 措 (so) — arrange, manage; 置 (chi/o) — place, set
• Pronunciation: /hoː.ɸɯ.kɯ.so.tɕi/

Meaning

Retaliatory measure; countermeasure. An action taken by a state or organisation in response to a perceived injury or hostile act by another party, intended to impose costs or compel a change in behaviour.

Used in diplomatic, trade, and military contexts. Common collocations include 報復措置を取る (to take retaliatory measures) and 報復措置を発動する (to invoke/trigger retaliatory measures). In trade disputes, these may include tariffs, sanctions, or export controls. The term implies reactive rather than aggressive intent, distinguishing it from 先制攻撃 (preemptive strike).

Examples

1. 相手国の輸入制限に対し、政府は即座に報復措置を取ると警告した。 In response to the other country's import restrictions, the government warned that it would immediately take retaliatory measures.
2. サイバー攻撃を受けた国が報復措置を発動するかどうか、国際社会は固唾をのんで見守った。 The international community watched with bated breath to see whether the nation that suffered a cyberattack would invoke retaliatory measures.
3. 報復措置の応酬が続けば、両国の貿易関係は完全に断絶しかねない。 If the exchange of retaliatory measures continues, the trade relationship between the two countries could be completely severed.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, trade, international law, security, sanctions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound noun combining 報復 (hōfuku, retaliation/retribution — from 報 repay + 復 return) and 措置 (sochi, measure/step — from 措 arrange + 置 place). Both components are Sino-Japanese terms used in formal administrative and legal language.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern–Contemporary

Generation: Adults

Social background: General