委員会

• Reading: いいんかい
• Romaji: iinkai
• Kanji breakdown: 委 (i) — entrust, delegate; 員 (in) — member; 会 (kai) — meeting, assembly
• Pronunciation: /iː.ŋ.ka.i/

Meaning

Committee; commission; board. A formal body of people appointed or elected to perform a specific function within an organisation or government.

A versatile administrative term formed from 委員 (committee member) and 会 (meeting/assembly). Used across government, education, business, and civic organisations. In the Japanese Diet, 委員会 are standing or special committees responsible for scrutinising legislation in specific policy areas. Collocates widely: 予算委員会, 倫理委員会, 調査委員会.

Examples

1. 衆議院の予算委員会で、大臣が野党議員の鋭い質問に答弁した。 At the House of Representatives' Budget Committee, a minister responded to sharp questions from opposition members.
2. 学校の保護者委員会が開かれ、来年度の行事計画が審議された。 A school parents' committee meeting was held to deliberate on the schedule of events for the coming year.
3. 社内に倫理委員会が設置され、ハラスメント申告の審査を担うことになった。 An ethics committee was established within the company to take charge of reviewing harassment complaints.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, society, business, education, administration

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

委員 (iin, committee member, from 委 meaning entrust + 員 meaning member) + 会 (kai, meeting/assembly). Used since the Meiji era in institutional and governmental contexts.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Contemporary

Generation: All ages

Social background: General