立候補

• Reading: りっこうほ
• Romaji: rikkōho
• Kanji breakdown: 立 (ritsu/ta) — stand, establish; 候 (kō) — candidate, wait; 補 (ho/fu) — supplement, fill a post
• Pronunciation: /ɾik.koː.ho/

Meaning

Candidacy; running for office. The formal act of declaring oneself a candidate for an elected position.

Used as a noun and as a verbal noun: 立候補する (to run for office/to stand as a candidate). Collocations include 立候補を届け出る (to file one's candidacy), 立候補を取り下げる (to withdraw one's candidacy), and 立候補者 (rikkohosha, candidate). In Japanese election law, candidates must officially register 立候補 within a specific period after an election is called.

Examples

1. 元知事が次の衆議院選挙への立候補を表明し、地元では大きな話題となった。 A former governor announced his candidacy for the next House of Representatives election, generating significant buzz in the local area.
2. 同一選挙区に複数の有力候補が立候補したため、票が分散して接戦が予想される。 With multiple strong candidates running in the same district, votes are expected to be split, resulting in a close race.
3. 締め切り直前に立候補を届け出た新人候補の出馬が、選挙戦に波乱をもたらした。 A newcomer who filed his candidacy just before the deadline threw the election campaign into turmoil.

Usage Guide

Context: elections, politics, journalism, law

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Formed from 立 (ritsu/ta, to stand/establish) and 候補 (kōho, candidate — from 候 wait/candidate + 補 supplement/fill). The compound literally suggests 'standing forth as one who waits to be chosen', reflecting classical Chinese bureaucratic examination culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Contemporary

Generation: Adults

Social background: General