参政権

• Reading: さんせいけん
• Romaji: sanseiken
• Kanji breakdown: 参 (san) — participate; 政 (sei) — politics, government; 権 (ken) — right, authority
• Pronunciation: /sa.ɴ.se.i.ke.ɴ/

Meaning

Suffrage; the right to participate in government. Encompasses the right to vote, stand for election, and engage in political processes.

A formal legal and political term. 参政権 includes 選挙権 (the right to vote) and 被選挙権 (the right to stand for election). It is a constitutional right guaranteed under Article 15 of Japan's constitution. Debates around extending 参政権 to foreign residents (在日外国人) remain politically significant.

Examples

1. 日本では在日外国人への参政権付与について賛否が分かれている。 In Japan, opinions are divided over whether to grant suffrage to foreign residents.
2. 参政権は民主主義の根幹を成す基本的権利である。 Suffrage is a fundamental right that forms the cornerstone of democracy.
3. 女性参政権が認められてから今年で八十年を迎える。 This year marks eighty years since women's suffrage was recognized.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, civil rights, constitutional studies

Tone: formal

Origin & History

From 参 (san) meaning 'to participate,' 政 (sei) meaning 'politics or government,' and 権 (ken) meaning 'right or authority.' A modern legal compound coined during the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: All classes