施政方針

• Reading: しせいほうしん
• Romaji: shisei hōshin
• Kanji breakdown: 施 (shi) — implement; 政 (sei) — government; 方 (hō) — direction; 針 (shin) — needle, pointer
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.se.i.hoː.ɕi.ɴ/

Meaning

Policy speech; government policy direction. The formal statement of governing principles and priorities delivered at the opening of a legislative session.

In Japan, the Prime Minister delivers a 施政方針演説 (policy address) at the start of each Diet session, outlining the government's priorities for the term. The term combines 施政 (governing) with 方針 (policy direction/guidelines). It is a key moment in the parliamentary calendar and closely scrutinised by opposition parties and the media.

Examples

1. 総理大臣は国会冒頭で施政方針演説を行った。 The Prime Minister delivered a policy address at the opening of the Diet session.
2. 今年の施政方針では経済再生と少子化対策が柱に据えられた。 This year's policy address centred on economic revitalisation and measures to address the declining birthrate.
3. 野党は施政方針演説の内容を厳しく批判した。 The opposition parties harshly criticised the content of the policy address.

Usage Guide

Context: parliamentary proceedings, news, political analysis

Tone: formal

Origin & History

A compound of 施政 (governing/administration, from 施 'implement' + 政 'government') and 方針 (policy direction, from 方 'direction' + 針 'needle/pointer').

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Political class