に関して・
に関して formally identifies the subject matter that a statement, inquiry, document, rule, or body of information is about. Use に関する when that subject-matter expression directly modifies a following noun.
What the marked noun does
Attach the pattern directly to the noun naming the subject matter. The rest of the sentence then gives information, asks a question, reports research, sets a rule, or performs another action concerning that subject. The marked noun is not automatically a person targeted by an action or something materially affected by it.
Core forms in use
These forms differ mainly in what follows them and in how compact or polite the expression is.
新しい奨学金制度に関して、学生から多くの質問が寄せられた。
Many questions from students were received concerning the new scholarship system.
Analyze研究倫理に関し、委員会は新しい指針を公表した。
Regarding research ethics, the committee published new guidelines.
Analyzeに関し gives the sentence a compact written style.
個人情報の管理に関する規定を改定しました。
We revised the regulations concerning the management of personal information.
Analyze契約の更新に関しましては、担当部署から改めてご連絡いたします。
Regarding the renewal of your contract, the responsible department will contact you again.
AnalyzeThe heavier before-noun alternative
災害対策に関しての資料を集めた。
I collected materials concerning disaster preparedness.
AnalyzeThis is possible, though 災害対策に関する資料 is usually more compact.
Formal subject matter versus an everyday topic
に関して is formal and document-friendly. について is the neutral choice for simply talking, asking, or learning about a topic, especially in ordinary conversation.
友達と旅行の計画について話した。
I talked with a friend about our travel plans.
AnalyzeThe neutral topic form suits this everyday conversation.
Subject matter versus material involvement
に関して means that something is about a subject. When something actually affects, involves, or has serious consequences for that matter, use the form built from 関わる instead.
この判断は会社の存続に関わる。
This decision affects the company's survival.
AnalyzeThe company's survival is materially at stake; it is not merely the topic of a statement.
More examples
市は騒音に関する調査結果を公開した。
The city published the results of a survey concerning noise.
Analyzeその件に関しては、現時点でお答えできません。
As for that matter, I cannot answer at this time.
Analyze応募条件に関し、ご不明な点は事務局までお問い合わせください。
If anything about the application requirements is unclear, please contact the administrative office.
Analyze製品の安全性に関して、専門家の意見を求めた。
We sought an expert opinion regarding the product's safety.
Analyze地域の歴史に関しての資料も展示されている。
Materials concerning the region's history are also on display.
Analyze本日の発表に関しまして、ご質問を承ります。
We will now take questions regarding today's presentation.
Analyze