職権乱用

• Reading: しょっけんらんよう
• Romaji: shokken ran'yō
• Kanji breakdown: 職 (shoku) — position, duty; 権 (ken) — authority, right; 乱 (ran) — disorder, abuse; 用 (yō) — use
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.k̚.ke.ɴ.ɾa.ɴ.joː/

Meaning

Abuse of authority; misuse of power. The wrongful use of one's official position or powers for personal or improper ends.

A legal and political noun describing conduct where an official or person in authority uses their power in ways that exceed or pervert its intended scope. In criminal law it corresponds to 職権濫用罪 under the Penal Code. It is commonly reported in connection with police misconduct, bureaucratic overreach, and political corruption. The nuance is that the authority itself is legitimate but its application is not.

Examples

1. 部下への過剰な命令は職権乱用にあたると労働審判で認定された。 Excessive orders directed at subordinates were deemed an abuse of authority by the labor tribunal.
2. 職権乱用の疑いで捜査を受けた議員が辞職を表明した。 A lawmaker under investigation for suspected abuse of authority announced their resignation.
3. その指示が職権乱用かどうかは、意図と結果の両面から判断される。 Whether that directive constitutes an abuse of authority is judged from both the intent and the outcome.

Usage Guide

Context: criminal law, politics, labour law, bureaucracy

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From 職権 (shokkken) meaning 'official authority or power' and 乱用 (ran'yō) meaning 'misuse or abuse.' A legal compound codified in Japan's Penal Code.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: All classes