Politics, Law & Public Systems

Introduction

N2 opens the door to Japanese news and public discourse, and this chapter provides much of that vocabulary. You will meet words connected to law, guilt, systems, policy, institutions, and the structures through which power and responsibility are discussed.

These terms are crucial for understanding editorials, documentaries, and serious contemporary Japanese writing.

Themes

All JLPT N2 Vocabulary in This Chapter (48)

1. 遺伝の法則 いでんのほうそく Laws of heredity. The scientific principles governing how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
2. 掟 おきて Law; regulation; rule; code. An established rule or custom, often unwritten, within a group or community.
3. 改革 かいかく Reform; reformation; reorganization. Fundamental change to improve a system or institution.
4. 確信犯 かくしんはん Crime of conscience; conviction offender. Originally a person who commits a crime based on political or moral conviction.
5. 革命 かくめい Revolution. A fundamental and often sudden change in political power, social structure, or a field of endeavour.
6. 可決 かけつ Approval; adoption; passage. The formal approval of a motion, bill, or resolution through a vote.
7. 起訴 きそ Prosecution; indictment. The formal act of bringing criminal charges against someone in court.
8. 行政 ぎょうせい Administration; executive branch of government. The system and activities of government administration.
9. 刑務所 けいむしょ Prison; jail; penitentiary. A facility where convicted criminals serve their sentences.
10. 決議 けつぎ Resolution; vote; decision. A formal decision or declaration made by an assembly or organization.
11. 現行法 げんこうほう Existing law; current legislation; laws in force. The body of laws currently in effect.
12. 検事 けんじ Public prosecutor. A government lawyer responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state.
13. 控訴 こうそ Appeal to a higher court; intermediate appeal. The act of requesting a higher court to review a lower court's decision.
14. 告訴 こくそ Accusation; criminal complaint; pressing charges. The formal act of reporting a crime and requesting prosecution.
15. 採決 さいけつ Vote; ballot; putting a matter to a vote. The act of voting on a proposal or motion in a formal assembly.
16. 裁判官 さいばんかん Judge. A public official appointed to hear and decide cases in a court of law.
17. 死刑 しけい Death penalty; capital punishment. The most severe criminal punishment, involving execution of the convicted person.
18. 施策 しさく Policy; measure; initiative. A plan or course of action adopted by a government or organisation.
19. 自治体 じちたい Municipality; local government; self-governing body. A local administrative unit with the power to govern itself.
20. 弱肉強食 じゃくにくきょうしょく The law of the jungle; survival of the fittest. The strong prey on the weak.
21. 釈放 しゃくほう Release; liberation; setting free. The act of freeing a person from custody or imprisonment.
22. 上告 じょうこく Final appeal; appeal to the Supreme Court. The last stage of appeal in Japan's three-tier court system.
23. 条例 じょうれい Ordinance; local regulation; bylaw. Rules established by a local government within its jurisdiction.
24. 処罰 しょばつ Punishment; penalty; penalisation. The act of imposing a penalty on someone for a crime or wrongdoing.
25. 審議 しんぎ Deliberation; discussion; consideration. The formal examination and discussion of a matter, especially in parliament.
26. 政権 せいけん Political administration; political power. The authority or right to govern a country.
27. 政権をとる せいけんをとる To take power; to assume governmental authority. Used when a political party gains control of the government.
28. 制裁 せいさい Sanctions; punishment. Punitive measures imposed for violating rules, laws, or international norms.
29. 制裁する せいさいする To punish; to impose sanctions. To take punitive action against a person, group, or nation for wrongdoing.
30. 政策 せいさく Political measures; policy. A systematic plan or course of action adopted by a government or organisation.
31. 訴訟 そしょう Lawsuit; litigation. The formal process of taking legal action through the courts.
32. 答弁 とうべん Response; reply; answer; defence. A formal answer to questioning, especially in parliament or court.
33. 独裁 どくさい Dictatorship; despotism; autocracy. A system of government where one person or group holds absolute power.
34. 内戦 ないせん Civil war. Armed conflict within a single country between opposing factions or regions.
35. 賠償 ばいしょう Compensation; reparations; indemnity; damages. Payment made for loss or damage, especially in legal or international contexts.
36. 判事 はんじ Judge; judiciary. A person who presides over court proceedings and delivers judgements.
37. 判明 はんめい Establishing; proving; ascertaining; confirming. The act of something becoming clearly known or identified.
38. 否決 ひけつ Rejection; negation; voting down. The formal rejection of a proposal or bill by vote.
39. 武力 ぶりょく Armed might; military power; force. The strength or capability of a military or armed group.
40. 兵威 へいい Military power; armed authority. The intimidating force or prestige of an army.
41. 方策 ほうさく Plan; measure; means; scheme; policy. A strategic approach or method for addressing a problem.
42. 法廷 ほうてい Court of law; courtroom. The place where legal proceedings are conducted.
43. 法的な ほうてきな Legal; pertaining to law. Describing something that relates to or is based on law.
44. 法律に明るい ほうりつにあかるい Familiar with law; well-versed in legal matters. Describing someone who has good knowledge of the law.
45. 法令 ほうれい Statute; law; act; ordinance; regulation. A broad term covering laws and governmental decrees.
46. 民主 みんしゅ Democracy; popular sovereignty. The principle that political power belongs to the people.
47. 無罪 むざい Innocence; being not guilty. The legal determination that a person did not commit the crime charged.
48. 有罪 ゆうざい Guilt; culpability. The legal determination that a person committed the crime charged.