人身売買

• Reading: じんしんばいばい
• Romaji: jinshin baibai
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin/hito) — person; 身 (shin/mi) — body, self; 売 (bai/u) — to sell; 買 (bai/ka) — to buy
• Pronunciation: /dʑiɴ.ɕiɴ.baɪ.baɪ/

Meaning

Human trafficking; slave trade. The illegal trade and exploitation of human beings for labour, sex, or organs.

A serious international crime addressed by the UN Palermo Protocol. In Japanese law, 人身売買 is criminalised under the Penal Code. Victims are often lured with false promises of employment. Japan has been criticised internationally for its technical intern trainee (技能実習) system as a potential avenue for trafficking.

Examples

1. 人身売買は現代の奴隷制度と呼ばれる深刻な犯罪だ。 Human trafficking is a serious crime described as modern-day slavery.
2. 国境を越えた人身売買ネットワークを摘発する国際捜査が行われた。 An international investigation was conducted to crack down on cross-border human trafficking networks.
3. 被害者支援団体は人身売買に遭った女性のケアに当たっている。 Victim support organisations are caring for women who have experienced human trafficking.

Usage Guide

Context: law, human rights, crime, international relations

Tone: grave

Origin & History

Compound of 人身 (a person's body, a person) and 売買 (buying and selling, trade). 人身 also appears in 人身事故 (accident involving a person). The phrase reflects the horrific commodification of human beings as tradeable objects.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal