Translation guide
An economic system where business success depends on close relationships between business people and government officials, often involving favoritism, corruption, and lack of fair competition.
To describe an economic system characterized by collusion between business and government, often implying corruption and unfair advantages.
The most direct translation, used in academic and journalistic contexts. It literally means 'connection-based capitalism'.
Crony capitalism leads to economic inefficiency.
A more colloquial term using the loanword 'コネ' (connections). Common in media and everyday conversation.
This country is said to be a crony capitalism.
Emphasizes the 'collusion' or 'adhesion' between business and government. Often used in critical contexts.
The harmful effects of crony capitalism have been pointed out.
Focuses on 'vested interests' and 'privileges'. Used in political and economic analysis.
It is necessary to reform the structure of crony capitalism.
To characterize a specific situation, policy, or relationship as an example of crony capitalism.
Adjectival phrase meaning 'cronyistic' or 'based on favoritism'. Can modify nouns like 'system' or 'practice'.
The policy was criticized as crony capitalism.
A phrase meaning 'structure of connections and vested interests', often used to describe crony capitalism without using the direct term.
To caution learners that directly translating 'crony' as '親友' (close friend) is unnatural and misleading.
The word 'crony' does not have a direct, natural equivalent in Japanese that captures the negative nuance of political/business favoritism. Use the established terms above instead.
Do not use '親友資本主義' or '仲良し資本主義'. These sound like 'best friend capitalism' and are not understood as the political/economic concept.
We don't say 'shinyuu shihonshugi'.
縁故資本主義 is the standard, formal term suitable for writing and serious discussion. コネ資本主義 is more casual and often used in spoken language or opinion pieces. Both are widely understood.
Crony capitalism is often seen in developing countries.
That company's way of doing things is totally crony capitalism.
If the context is more about corruption than the economic system, consider using terms like 汚職 (おしょく, corruption) or 談合 (だんごう, bid-rigging). For favoritism in hiring, コネ採用 (コネさいよう) is common.
This project was decided through bid-rigging.
The structure of crony capitalism is deeply rooted in this industry.