一票の格差

• Reading: いっぴょうのかくさ
• Romaji: ippyou no kakusa
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (ichi/ip) — one; 票 (hyō/pyō) — vote, ballot; 格 (kaku) — status, standard; 差 (sa) — difference
• Pronunciation: /ip.pjoː.no.ka.kɯ.sa/

Meaning

Vote-value disparity; the unequal weight of votes across different electoral districts.

A political and legal term referring to the imbalance in representation where voters in less-populated districts have more influence per vote than those in densely-populated areas. A recurring issue in Japanese Supreme Court rulings on the constitutionality of elections. Frequently appears in news and civics discussions.

Examples

1. 一票の格差が問題になり、選挙制度の見直しが求められている。 Vote-value disparity has become a problem, and calls to reform the electoral system are growing.
2. 最高裁は一票の格差について違憲状態と判断した。 The Supreme Court ruled that the vote-value disparity constituted an unconstitutional state of affairs.
3. 一票の格差を解消するために区割りが変更された。 District boundaries were redrawn in order to eliminate the vote-value disparity.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, news

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Compound phrase: 一票 (ippyō, one vote) + の (possessive) + 格差 (kakusa, disparity/gap). A modern political term that became prominent through Japanese constitutional law debates.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated