黙秘権

• Reading: もくひけん
• Romaji: mokuhiken
• Kanji breakdown: 黙 (moku) — silence | 秘 (hi) — conceal, secret | 権 (ken) — right, authority
• Pronunciation: /mo.kɯ.çi.ken/

Meaning

The right to remain silent; the legal right of a suspect or accused person not to be compelled to speak or testify against themselves.

Guaranteed under Article 38 of the Japanese Constitution, 黙秘権 protects individuals from self-incrimination. Police and prosecutors must inform suspects of this right before questioning (黙秘権の告知). Invoking it is expressed as 黙秘権を行使する. It applies at all stages from police interrogation through trial. Unlike some other countries, Japanese courts cannot draw adverse inferences from silence, though in practice prolonged interrogations can create implicit pressure to speak.

Examples

1. 弁護士は依頼人に黙秘権を行使するよう強くアドバイスした。 The lawyer strongly advised their client to exercise the right to remain silent.
2. 取調べの冒頭、刑事は容疑者に黙秘権があることを告知した。 At the start of the interrogation, the detective informed the suspect of their right to remain silent.
3. 黙秘権は憲法38条によって保障された基本的な権利だ。 The right to remain silent is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 38 of the Constitution.

Usage Guide

Context: criminal law, constitutional rights, police procedure

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 黙秘 (mokuhi — to keep silent, to refuse to answer; 黙 'silent' + 秘 'secret/conceal') and 権 (ken — right, authority). The constitutional guarantee was introduced in the post-war 1947 Constitution modelled partly on Anglo-American legal principles.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war–Present

Generation: Legal professionals and adults

Social background: Universal