財政

• Reading: ざいせい
• Romaji: zaisei
• Kanji breakdown: 財 (zai) — wealth, assets; 政 (sei) — politics, government
• Pronunciation: /za.i.se.i/

Meaning

Public finance; fiscal affairs. The management of government revenue and expenditure.

A noun central to politics and economics. Key collocations: 財政政策 (fiscal policy), 財政再建 (fiscal reconstruction), 財政破綻 (fiscal collapse), 地方財政 (local government finance). While it primarily refers to government finances, it can also describe the financial state of organisations: 大学の財政 (university finances).

Examples

1. 国の財政が厳しい状況にあることは誰もが知っている。 Everyone knows that the country's public finances are in a tough situation.
2. 財政再建に向けた改革が急務だと首相が訴えた。 The prime minister urged that reforms toward fiscal reconstruction are urgently needed.
3. 地方自治体の財政は高齢化の影響で圧迫されている。 The finances of local governments are being strained by the effects of an aging population.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, economics, government

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 財 (zai, wealth/assets) + 政 (sei, politics/government). Literally 'wealth governance' — the governmental management of public money.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal