法律・規則

会社かいしゃは法令ほうれいを守まもって経営けいえいしなければならない。

Companies must be run in accordance with the law.

Usage 法令 covers laws and government regulations together: 法令を守る, 法令違反 (a legal violation), 法令遵守 (legal compliance, the Japanese term for compliance).

Remember it 法 (law) + 令 (order, decree) → laws and decrees.

この市しでは条例じょうれいで路上ろじょう喫煙きつえんが禁止きんしされている。

In this city, smoking on the street is banned by local ordinance.

Usage 条例 is a local ordinance made by a prefecture or city: 条例を制定する (enact an ordinance), 迷惑防止条例 (nuisance prevention ordinance). 法律 is national law.

Remember it 条 (clause, article) + 例 (rule, precedent) → rules set out in articles.

政府せいふは輸入ゆにゅうの規制きせいを緩和かんわした。

The government eased import restrictions.

Usage 規制 = regulation or restriction: 規制する, 規制緩和 (deregulation), 交通規制 (traffic restrictions), 規制強化 (tightening rules).

Remember it 規 (rule) + 制 (to control) → controlling by rule.

会社かいしゃの規定きていにより、有給ゆうきゅうは年ねん十日とおかだ。

Under company rules, paid leave is ten days a year.

Usage 規定 is a stipulated rule or provision: 規定に従う, 規定により (according to regulations), 規定料金 (standard fee). 規則 (きそく) is a rule you must follow.

Remember it 規 (rule) + 定 (to fix) → a rule that's fixed.

この国くにの医療いりょう制度せいどは世界せかいでも評価ひょうかが高たかいです。

This country's healthcare system is well regarded around the world.

Usage 制度 is a system established by society: 教育制度, 保険制度, 年金制度 (pension system). It differs from 規則, which is a specific rule.

Remember it 制 (to establish) + 度 (measure) → an established measure: an institution.

この件けんを決きめる権限けんげんは私わたしにはない。

I don't have the authority to decide this matter.

Usage 権限 is the authority to do something: 権限がある, 権限を与える (grant authority), 管理者権限 (admin rights). 権利 is a right.

Remember it 権 (power) + 限 (limit) → power within set limits.

彼かれは脳のう科学かがくの権威けんいとして知しられている。

He is known as an authority on brain science.

Usage 権威 is authority as prestige, or an expert: 〜の権威 (a leading authority on), 権威がある, 権威的 (authoritarian).

Remember it 権 (power) + 威 (dignity, awe) → power that inspires awe.

写真しゃしんを撮とるには許可きょかが必要ひつようです。

You need permission to take photos.

Usage 許可 = permission: 許可を得る / もらう (get permission), 許可する, 無許可 (unauthorized). 許す is the everyday verb.

Remember it 許 (to allow) + 可 (possible) → allowed and possible.

新あたらしい薬くすりが国くにに認可にんかされた。

The new drug was approved by the government.

Usage 認可 is official approval or licensing by an authority: 認可を受ける, 認可保育園 (licensed daycare). 許可 is permission more generally.

Remember it 認 (to recognize) + 可 (to allow) → recognized and allowed officially.

十八歳じゅうはっさいになったら車くるまの免許めんきょを取とりたい。

When I turn eighteen, I want to get a driver's license.

Usage 免許 is a license: 運転免許 (driver's license), 免許を取る (get a license), 免許証 (the license card), 免許更新 (renewal).

Remember it 免 (to exempt) + 許 (to permit) → permitted to do what others may not.

看護師かんごしの資格しかくを取とるために勉強べんきょうしている。

I'm studying to become a qualified nurse.

Usage 資格 is a qualification or eligibility: 資格を取る, 資格試験, 〜する資格がない (have no right to ...). JLPT N2 is a popular 資格 for jobs in Japan.

Remember it 資 (qualities) + 格 (standard, rank) → meeting the standard.

許可きょかなくここに車くるまを止とめるのは違法いほうだ。

Parking here without permission is illegal.

Usage 違法 = illegal: 違法行為 (illegal act), 違法駐車 (illegal parking), 違法ダウンロード. Its opposite is 合法. 不法 (ふほう) is similar.

Remember it 違 (to go against) + 法 (law) → going against the law.

その国くにではカジノが合法ごうほうだ。

Casinos are legal in that country.

Usage 合法 = legal, lawful: 合法的に (legally), 合法化 (legalization). Its opposite is 違法.

Remember it 合 (to fit) + 法 (law) → fitting the law.

男おとこは窃盗せっとうの容疑ようぎで逮捕たいほされた。

The man was arrested on suspicion of theft.

Usage 容疑 is suspicion of a crime: 〜の容疑で逮捕される, 容疑者 (suspect), 容疑を認める / 否認する (admit / deny the charges). A news staple.

Remember it 容 (to contain) + 疑 (doubt) → holding someone under doubt.

警察けいさつは犯人はんにんを現場げんばで逮捕たいほした。

The police arrested the culprit at the scene.

Usage 逮捕 = arrest: 逮捕する, 逮捕される, 現行犯逮捕 (arrest in the act), 逮捕状 (arrest warrant). 捕まえる is the everyday verb.

Remember it 逮 (to catch up with) + 捕 (to seize) → catching up and seizing.

検察けんさつは容疑者ようぎしゃを起訴きそした。

The prosecutors indicted the suspect.

Usage 起訴 is formal prosecution by the state: 起訴する, 起訴される, 不起訴 (a decision not to prosecute). In Japan, only prosecutors can 起訴.

Remember it 起 (to raise) + 訴 (to accuse) → raising an accusation.

工場こうじょうの周辺しゅうへん住民じゅうみんが会社かいしゃを相手あいてに訴訟そしょうを起おこした。

Residents near the factory filed a lawsuit against the company.

Usage 訴訟 = a lawsuit: 訴訟を起こす (file a lawsuit), 民事訴訟 (civil case), 訴訟費用. 訴える (うったえる) = to sue.

Remember it 訴 (to accuse) + 訟 (to dispute) → accusing and disputing in court.

彼かれは友人ゆうじんを弁護べんごして、先生せんせいに事情じじょうを説明せつめいした。

He stood up for his friend and explained the situation to the teacher.

Usage 弁護 is defending someone, in court or in general: 弁護する, 弁護士 (lawyer), 自己弁護 (self-justification).

Remember it 弁 (to speak for) + 護 (to protect) → speaking to protect someone.

裁判所さいばんしょは被告ひこくに無罪むざいの判決はんけつを言いい渡わたした。

The court handed down a not-guilty verdict for the defendant.

Usage 判決 is a court's ruling: 判決が出る, 判決を言い渡す (hand down a verdict), 有罪判決, 無罪判決. 判断 is ordinary judgment.

Remember it 判 (to judge) + 決 (to decide) → judging and deciding.

裁判さいばんの結果けっか、彼かれは有罪ゆうざいとなった。

As a result of the trial, he was found guilty.

Usage 有罪 = guilty: 有罪判決 (a guilty verdict), 有罪になる. Its opposite is 無罪. Japan's conviction rate is famously over 99%.

Remember it 有 (to have) + 罪 (guilt) → having guilt.

新あたらしい証拠しょうこが見みつかり、彼かれは無罪むざいになった。

New evidence was found and he was acquitted.

Usage 無罪 = not guilty: 無罪判決, 無罪を主張する (plead innocent). 無実 (むじつ) means actually innocent, regardless of the verdict.

Remember it 無 (without) + 罪 (guilt) → without guilt.

飲酒いんしゅ運転うんてんに対たいする刑罰けいばつが重おもくなった。

The penalties for drunk driving have become harsher.

Usage 刑罰 = criminal punishment: 刑罰を科す (impose a penalty). Specific penalties include 罰金 (fine), 懲役 (imprisonment) and 死刑 (death penalty).

Remember it 刑 (punishment) + 罰 (penalty) → punishment and penalty.

スピード違反いはんで罰金ばっきんを払はらった。

I paid a fine for speeding.

Usage 罰金 = a fine: 罰金を払う, 罰金を科す (impose a fine), 罰金刑. In casual games, 罰ゲーム (ばつゲーム) is a forfeit.

Remember it 罰 (penalty) + 金 (money) → a penalty in money.

被告ひこくに懲役ちょうえき五年ごねんの判決はんけつが下くだった。

The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison.

Usage 懲役 is imprisonment with labor: 懲役〜年, 懲役刑. Since 2025 Japan has merged 懲役 and 禁錮 into a single sentence called 拘禁刑 (こうきんけい).

Remember it 懲 (to punish, teach a lesson) + 役 (service, labor) → labor as a lesson.

判決はんけつが確定かくていし、刑けいが執行しっこうされた。

The sentence became final and was carried out.

Usage 執行 is carrying out a law, sentence or duty: 執行する, 執行猶予 (a suspended sentence), 執行役員 (executive officer).

Remember it 執 (to carry out) + 行 (to do) → carrying out what was decided.

新あたらしい法律ほうりつは来年らいねん四月しがつから施行しこうされる。

The new law comes into force next April.

Usage 施行 is a law coming into effect: 施行される, 施行日 (effective date). Lawyers sometimes read it せこう to avoid confusion with 試行 (しこう, trial).

Remember it 施 (to put into effect) + 行 (to carry out) → putting into effect.

社員しゃいんには社内しゃないルールの遵守じゅんしゅが求もとめられる。

Employees are required to comply with company rules.

Usage 遵守 = compliance: 法令遵守, 時間を遵守する (be punctual), ルールの遵守. 守る is the everyday verb.

Remember it 遵 (to follow) + 守 (to keep) → following and keeping.

この規則きそくには罰則ばっそくがないので、守まもらない人ひともいる。

This rule has no penalties, so some people don't follow it.

Usage 罰則 are the penal provisions attached to a rule: 罰則がある, 罰則を設ける (set penalties), 罰則付き (with penalties).

Remember it 罰 (penalty) + 則 (rule) → the penalty rules.

年末ねんまつは飲酒いんしゅ運転うんてんの取とり締しまりが強化きょうかされる。

Crackdowns on drunk driving are stepped up at the end of the year.

Usage 取り締まり is police enforcement or a crackdown: 取り締まる, スピード違反の取り締まり. 取締役 (company director) uses the same verb.

Remember it 取る (to take) + 締める (to tighten) → tightening the grip.

駅えきには監視かんしカメラが設置せっちされている。

There are surveillance cameras installed at the station.

Usage 監視 is surveillance or monitoring: 監視する, 監視カメラ, 監視社会 (surveillance society). 見守る is watching over caringly.

Remember it 監 (to oversee) + 視 (to look) → overseeing and watching.

警察けいさつは詐欺さぎグループを一斉いっせいに検挙けんきょした。

The police rounded up the entire fraud ring at once.

Usage 検挙 is police identifying and apprehending suspects, a news word: 検挙する, 検挙率 (clearance rate). It is broader than 逮捕 (arrest).

Remember it 検 (to investigate) + 挙 (to raise, apprehend) → investigating and hauling in.

証拠しょうこがなければ犯人はんにんだと決きめつけられない。

Without evidence, you can't just decide someone is the culprit.

Usage 証拠 = evidence or proof: 証拠を集める, 証拠がない, 動かぬ証拠 (irrefutable evidence), 証拠隠滅 (destroying evidence).

Remember it 証 (proof) + 拠 (basis) → the basis of proof.

目撃者もくげきしゃの証言しょうげんが事件じけん解決かいけつにつながった。

The witness's testimony led to the case being solved.

Usage 証言 is testimony: 証言する, 法廷で証言する, 目撃証言 (eyewitness testimony). 証人 (しょうにん) is the witness.

Remember it 証 (proof) + 言 (words) → words as proof.

容疑者ようぎしゃの供述きょうじゅつには矛盾むじゅんがあった。

There were contradictions in the suspect's statement.

Usage 供述 is a statement given to police or in court, usually by a suspect: 供述する, 供述調書 (a written statement). 証言 is a witness's testimony.

Remember it 供 (to offer) + 述 (to state) → offering a statement.

困こまったときは弁護士べんごしに相談そうだんしたほうがいい。

When you're in trouble, it's best to consult a lawyer.

Usage 弁護士 = lawyer: 弁護士に相談する, 弁護士を雇う (hire a lawyer), 顧問弁護士 (legal adviser). The suffix 士 marks licensed professions: 税理士, 会計士.

Remember it 弁護 (defense) + 士 (professional) → a professional defender.

検察けんさつは被告ひこくに懲役ちょうえき十年じゅうねんを求刑きゅうけいした。

The prosecution sought a ten-year prison sentence for the defendant.

Usage 検察 is the public prosecutors' office: 検察官 (prosecutor), 検察庁 (Public Prosecutors Office), 検事 (けんじ, a prosecutor's title).

Remember it 検 (to examine) + 察 (to investigate) → examining and investigating crimes.

被告ひこくは法廷ほうていで無罪むざいを主張しゅちょうした。

The defendant pleaded not guilty in court.

Usage 被告 is the defendant in a civil case; in criminal cases it is 被告人. The opposite party is 原告 (plaintiff). 被 marks receiving: 被害 (damage suffered).

Remember it 被 (to receive, suffer) + 告 (accusation) → the one receiving the accusation.

原告げんこくは会社かいしゃに損害そんがい賠償ばいしょうを求もとめた。

The plaintiff demanded damages from the company.

Usage 原告 = plaintiff in a lawsuit: 原告側 (the plaintiff's side), 原告団 (group of plaintiffs). Its pair is 被告.

Remember it 原 (source, origin) + 告 (accusation) → where the accusation originates.

法廷ほうていでは静しずかにしなければならない。

You have to be quiet in the courtroom.

Usage 法廷 = a courtroom or court: 法廷で争う (fight it out in court), 法廷に立つ (appear in court). 裁判所 is the court as an institution or building.

Remember it 法 (law) + 廷 (court, hall) → the hall of law.

事故じこの被害者ひがいしゃに賠償ばいしょう金きんが支払しはらわれた。

Compensation was paid to the victims of the accident.

Usage 賠償 is legal compensation for damage: 損害賠償 (damages), 賠償金, 賠償責任 (liability). 弁償 is paying for something you broke; 補償 is compensation for a loss.

Remember it 賠 (to compensate) + 償 (to make amends) → making amends with payment.