Translation guide
The phrase "good offices" refers to the helpful intervention or mediation by a neutral third party to resolve a dispute or facilitate communication. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific terms related to mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, often used in diplomatic or formal contexts.
To express the idea of a neutral party helping to resolve a dispute or facilitate an agreement.
This is the most common and general term for mediation or good offices, used in legal, labor, and diplomatic contexts. It implies a third party facilitating communication and suggesting solutions without binding authority.
Specifically in international relations, when a state or organization offers its good offices to help resolve a conflict.
This phrase literally means 'mediation of goodwill' and is a direct equivalent to 'good offices' in diplomatic contexts.
大使が善意の仲介を申し出た。
The ambassador offered his good offices.
These terms represent a spectrum of third-party intervention. あっせん (mediation) is the least intrusive, where the mediator facilitates communication. 仲介 (intermediation) is similar but often used in business. 調停 (conciliation) involves proposing solutions. 仲裁 (arbitration) results in a binding decision. For 'good offices', あっせん or 善意の仲介 are the closest equivalents.
あっせんは強制力がないが、仲裁は強制力がある。
Mediation has no binding force, but arbitration does.
Do not translate 'good offices' literally as 良いオフィス (yoi ofisu) or 良い事務所 (yoi jimusho). These would be nonsensical. Always use the mediation-related terms above.
事務総長は、当事者間の対話を促進するためにあっせんを行った。
The Secretary-General used his good offices to facilitate dialogue between the parties.
共通の友人の仲介で、彼らは和解することができた。
Through the good offices of a mutual friend, they were able to reconcile.
The UN provided its good offices in the peace negotiations.
労働争議のあっせんを依頼する。
We request mediation in the labor dispute.
This term also means mediation or intermediation, often used in business or personal contexts. It can imply a more active role in bringing parties together.
彼の仲介で契約が成立した。
The contract was concluded through his good offices.
This refers to conciliation or mediation, often with a more formal or legal connotation, where the mediator may propose solutions. It is commonly used in family or civil disputes.
裁判所の調停で和解した。
They settled through the court's good offices.
This means arbitration, where the third party's decision is binding. It is a stronger form of intervention than good offices, but sometimes used in similar contexts.
国際仲裁に付託する。
Submit to international arbitration.
This term means 'mediation diplomacy' and is used when a country engages in good offices as part of its foreign policy.
日本はあっせん外交を展開した。
Japan deployed its good offices diplomacy.