兼業

• Reading: けんぎょう
• Romaji: kengyo
• Kanji breakdown: 兼 (ken) — to hold concurrently, to double; 業 (gyō) — work, occupation, industry
• Pronunciation: /keŋ.ɡʲoː/

Meaning

Side business; secondary occupation; holding multiple jobs simultaneously; moonlighting.

A noun describing the practice of engaging in a second occupation alongside one's primary job. Increasingly common in Japan's evolving labour market, where companies have begun permitting 兼業 as part of work-style reforms. Distinguished from 副業 (side job) primarily in formal register, with 兼業 appearing more in legal and corporate policy contexts.

Examples

1. 近年、副業や兼業を認める企業が急速に増えている。 In recent years, the number of companies allowing side jobs and secondary employment has been increasing rapidly.
2. 農家が農閑期に建設業で働く兼業は地方では珍しくない。 It is not uncommon in rural areas for farmers to moonlight in construction during the off-season.
3. 社員の兼業を許可する際には、利益相反の防止策が不可欠だ。 When permitting employees to hold secondary jobs, measures to prevent conflicts of interest are essential.

Usage Guide

Context: labour law, corporate policy, work-style reform, agriculture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 兼 (kane/ken, to combine/to do two things at once) and 業 (gyō, work/occupation/industry). The character 兼 carries the core meaning of doing two things simultaneously.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working-age adults

Social background: General workforce