戒厳令

• Reading: かいげんれい
• Romaji: kaigenrei
• Kanji breakdown: 戒 (kai) — caution, discipline; 厳 (gen) — strict, severe; 令 (rei) — order, decree
• Pronunciation: /ka.i.ɡen.ɾeː/

Meaning

Martial law; state of emergency placing a territory under military authority.

A noun referring to the suspension of normal civilian law and its replacement with direct military governance during crises such as war, insurrection, or severe civil unrest. In Japan, 戒厳令 was last invoked during the Manchurian Incident era. In modern usage it appears in historical analysis and coverage of foreign political crises.

Examples

1. クーデターが起きた国では、直ちに戒厳令が布告された。 In the country where the coup occurred, martial law was immediately declared.
2. 戒厳令下では、集会の自由やメディアの報道が厳しく制限される。 Under martial law, freedom of assembly and media reporting are severely restricted.
3. 歴史の授業で、戦時中に発令された戒厳令について学んだ。 In a history class, we learned about the martial law that was declared during wartime.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, military, history, law

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From 戒厳 (kaigen, strict vigilance/martial readiness) — 戒 (caution/discipline) + 厳 (strict/severe) — and 令 (rei, order/decree). The concept was formalised in Japan's Meiji-era military codes.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal