に際してon the occasion of
"On the occasion of" one particular, weighty event, as it happens or just before: an opening, a retirement, a contract, a disaster.
As I step down, I would like to thank you sincerely for your many years of support.
When the disaster struck, an emergency headquarters was set up at once.
How to form it
Noun／verb in the dictionary form + に際して
No の after the noun. The verb stays in the dictionary form even for the past. In writing it is also に際し, and before a noun に際しての.
- Before it
- A one-off event with some weight: 入学, 卒業, 退任, 契約, 開会, 災害.
- After it
- What is said or done for the occasion: thanks, a greeting, a request, a precaution, a response.
- Where you'll meet it
- Speeches, contracts, the news, and official notices, such as ご利用に際して to users of a service. In conversation people say とき.
In use
With the introduction of the new system, training will be held for all staff.
Before taking up my post overseas, I had the necessary vaccinations.
Just before, as part of getting ready.
On their graduation, each graduate was presented with a memento by the principal.
Not for a routine occasion
It lends the event some ceremony. With something you do every day it comes out as a joke.
Sounds odd: バスを
On the occasion of alighting from the bus, I paid my fare.
降りる際に or 降りるときに.
に際して or にあたって?
Often either will do: a speech may open with 開会に際して or 開会にあたり. にあたって looks ahead to something you are setting out to do. に際して only names the occasion, so it is the usual one when nobody wanted it.
Close neighbours
にあたってN2
"On setting out to do" something big: what you do, or should bear in mind, at the outset.
In applying for the scholarship, I revised my research proposal from top to bottom.
際（に）N2
The formal とき, for any occasion, even a routine one. It is the usual "when" of notices and service language.
When you enter the building, please show this ticket to a staff member.
に先立ってN2
"Before, ahead of": something done first, to prepare for a main event or lead into it.
Ahead of the performance, the performers gave a press conference.
Check yourself
1Which sentence sounds natural?
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
家を
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
The points to note when concluding the contract are summarised below.
Before the study began, consent was obtained from every participant.
On enrolling, please check how to collect your student ID card.
The prime minister is due to hold talks with the president during the visit to the United States.