Translation guide
A legal concept where ownership of property is gained by taking possession of it, especially when it has no prior owner.
Acquisition by occupancy of ownerless property is recognized under the Civil Code.
Literally 'occupation of ownerless thing'. A concise legal term often used in property law discussions.
If the requirements for occupation of ownerless property are met, ownership can be acquired.
Shortened form of 'acquisition by prior occupation'. Common in legal texts.
Acquisition by occupancy is a form of original acquisition.
In everyday contexts, the act of picking up or claiming something that appears to have no owner.
Refers to acquisition by finding lost property. More specific to found items, but overlaps with occupancy concept in casual use.
If you find a lost item, acquisition by finding may be recognized in some cases.
In casual conversation, you can explain the concept by saying 'I'm taking it because no one is using it.' This avoids technical legal terms.
This is not a legal term and may not reflect actual property law. Use only in informal explanations.
The English term 'acquisition by occupancy' is a specialized legal concept. In Japanese, it is almost exclusively used in legal or academic contexts. There is no single everyday equivalent; instead, you would describe the situation or use the legal terms above.
先占 (occupancy) applies to things that have never had an owner (e.g., wild animals, abandoned property). 拾得 (finding) applies to lost items that had a previous owner. In casual English, 'acquisition by occupancy' might be confused with finding, but in Japanese law they are distinct.
Catching a wild rabbit is occupancy; picking up a lost wallet is finding.
This bicycle had been abandoned for a long time, so I thought no one was using it and took it.