Translation guide
The English word "executor" primarily refers to a person appointed to carry out the terms of a will. In Japanese, this concept is expressed with specific legal terms, but the role is less commonly discussed in everyday life. This guide covers the legal term, related roles, and how to explain the concept in simpler language.
The person named in a will to manage the estate and distribute assets.
This is the standard legal term for an executor of a will. It directly corresponds to the English concept.
He was appointed as the executor of his father's will.
This term means 'estate administrator' and is sometimes used interchangeably, though it can also refer to a court-appointed administrator rather than one named in a will.
The estate administrator distributed the assets.
Someone who executes or implements something, not necessarily legal.
A general term for 'executor' in the sense of one who carries out an action or plan. It is not limited to legal contexts.
As the executor of the project, he took full responsibility.
Often used in official or organizational contexts, such as the executor of a policy or a person who enforces rules. It can sound more formal than 実行者.
A person who carries out a death sentence. Note: This is a distinct meaning from the legal will executor.
This specifically means 'executioner' in the context of capital punishment. It is not used for a will executor.
The executioner carried out the sentence.
While both can translate to 'executor', 実行者 (jikkousha) is a general 'person who executes a plan', whereas 死刑執行人 (shikeishikkounin) is specifically an executioner who carries out a death penalty. Using the wrong term could cause serious misunderstanding.
If you need to explain what an executor of a will does to someone unfamiliar with the legal term, you can say: 遺言に従って財産を分配する人 (yuigon ni shitagatte zaisan o bunpai suru hito) – 'the person who distributes the assets according to the will'.
彼は会社の方針の執行者だ。
He is the executor of the company's policies.