Translation guide
The concept of forced labour in Japanese can be expressed through specific legal terms, historical references, or descriptive phrases. The most common and direct term is 強制労働, but context matters greatly—especially when referring to wartime or systemic exploitation.
The broad concept of being compelled to work against one's will, in legal, social, or general contexts.
The standard, neutral term for forced labour. Used in legal, historical, and human rights contexts.
強制労働は国際法で禁止されている。
Forced labour is prohibited under international law.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'compulsory labour'. Slightly less formal than 強制労働.
その国では強制的な労働が行われている。
Forced labour is being carried out in that country.
A more technical term often used in legal or policy documents, emphasizing 'compulsory employment'.
強制就労の被害者が支援を求めている。
Victims of forced labour are seeking support.
Specifically referring to forced labour during wartime, especially in the context of WWII and the Japanese Empire.
Refers to the forced mobilization of people, often used for wartime labour. Strongly associated with historical injustices.
戦時中、多くの朝鮮人が強制連行された。
During the war, many Koreans were forcibly taken away for labour.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'wartime forced labour'. Used when the context is already clear.
戦時中の強制労働の歴史を学ぶ。
Learn about the history of wartime forced labour.
A historical term for 'labour mobilization', often used euphemistically during the war. Can imply forced labour.
労務動員計画によって多くの人が働かされた。
Many people were made to work under the labour mobilization plan.
Labour imposed as a punishment (e.g., in prisons) or through human trafficking.
Imprisonment with hard labour; a legal penalty. Often translated as 'penal servitude' or 'forced labour' in criminal contexts.
彼は懲役10年の判決を受けた。
He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment with hard labour.
A verb phrase meaning 'to force someone to work'. Used in contexts of exploitation.
彼らは移民を強制労働させていた。
They were forcing immigrants to work.
Directly translating 'forced labour' as 強制労働 in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or technical. For casual contexts, use a phrase like 無理やり働かせる (to make someone work against their will).
彼は家族に無理やり働かされた。
He was forced to work by his family.
強制労働 is a general term for forced labour, while 強制連行 specifically refers to the act of forcibly taking people away for labour, often used in historical contexts regarding wartime Japan. Use 強制連行 when emphasizing the abduction or mobilization aspect.
強制労働は重大な人権侵害です。
Forced labour is a serious human rights violation.
多くの囚人が強制労働に従事させられた。
Many prisoners were subjected to forced labour.
Literally 'slave labour'. A strong term used for extreme exploitation, often in advocacy contexts.
その工場では奴隷労働が行われていると報告された。
It was reported that slave labour was taking place in that factory.