Translation guide
The economic system based on private ownership and free markets. In Japanese, the direct term is 資本主義, but natural usage often involves discussing market economies, corporate culture, or specific capitalist concepts.
Referring to capitalism as an economic system
The standard term for capitalism as an economic system. Used in academic, political, and everyday contexts.
資本主義は自由市場に基づいている。
Capitalism is based on free markets.
Specifically refers to a capitalist economy. Often used in economic discussions.
日本は資本主義経済の国です。
Japan is a capitalist economy country.
Emphasizing the market aspect of capitalism
Market economy; often used interchangeably with capitalism in economic contexts.
市場経済の下では、価格は需要と供給で決まる。
Under a market economy, prices are determined by supply and demand.
Referring to laissez-faire or free-market capitalism
Laissez-faire; emphasizes minimal government intervention. Often used in political and economic debates.
自由放任主義は政府の介入を最小限にする。
Laissez-faire minimizes government intervention.
Free-market ideology; less common but used in specific ideological contexts.
自由市場主義を支持する人々は規制緩和を求める。
People who support free-market ideology demand deregulation.
Discussing capitalism in the context of corporations and business practices
In business contexts, capitalism is often implied through terms like corporate activity or profit-seeking. Direct translation may sound academic.
企業活動の自由が資本主義の基本だ。
Freedom of corporate activity is the basis of capitalism.
営利主義が行き過ぎると問題が生じる。
When profit-seeking goes too far, problems arise.
Expressing criticism of capitalism
The evils/harms of capitalism; common in critical discourse.
資本主義の弊害として格差が広がっている。
As a harm of capitalism, inequality is widening.
Money-making-ism; a critical term for excessive capitalism or profit-chasing.
あの会社は金儲け主義だ。
That company is all about making money.
Referring to state-directed capitalism
State capitalism; used in political and economic analysis.
中国は国家資本主義の例として挙げられる。
China is cited as an example of state capitalism.
資本主義 is the broad ideological term, while 市場経済 focuses on the economic mechanism. In everyday conversation, 資本主義 is more common when discussing political or social systems.
Directly saying 'capitalism' in casual Japanese may sound overly academic. Instead, describe the situation or use terms like 自由競争 (free competition) or 営利 (profit-making) depending on context.