経済制裁

• Reading: けいざいせいさい
• Romaji: keizai seisai
• Kanji breakdown: 経 (kei) — pass through, administer; 済 (zai) — help, relieve; 制 (sei) — control, restrict; 裁 (sai) — judge, sanction
• Pronunciation: /ke.i.za.i.se.i.sa.i/

Meaning

Economic sanctions. Coercive measures applied by one or more countries to restrict trade, finance, or investment with a target nation.

A compound noun combining 経済 (economics) and 制裁 (sanctions/punishment). Frequently appears in international news reporting. Common collocations include 経済制裁を発動する (to impose sanctions), 経済制裁を解除する (to lift sanctions), and 包括的経済制裁 (comprehensive sanctions). Understood by most adult Japanese speakers due to media exposure.

Examples

1. 国連安全保障理事会はその国に対する経済制裁を全会一致で採択した。 The UN Security Council unanimously adopted economic sanctions against that country.
2. 経済制裁が長期化したことで、国民の生活水準が著しく低下した。 The prolonged economic sanctions caused a significant decline in the people's standard of living.
3. 制裁解除の条件として、核開発の完全停止が求められている。 A complete halt to nuclear development is being demanded as a condition for lifting the sanctions.

Usage Guide

Context: international relations, diplomacy, journalism, economics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Modern Sino-Japanese compound. 経済 (keizai, economics) derives from classical Chinese 経世済民 (governing society and relieving the people). 制裁 (seisai, sanction/punishment) combines 制 (control) and 裁 (judge). The compound entered usage in the 20th century alongside international law frameworks.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated