Translation guide
The act of illegally seizing control of a vehicle, aircraft, or digital system. In Japanese, the term varies depending on the target: aircraft, ship, vehicle, or digital account/device.
To illegally take control of an airplane, typically by force or threat.
The most common and direct loanword for hijacking, especially of aircraft. Used as both noun and suru-verb.
The airplane was hijacked.
A more formal or descriptive term meaning 'aircraft seizure'. Often used in news reports.
An aircraft hijacking incident occurred.
An older or less common term specifically for aircraft hijacking. May be understood but not widely used today.
Anti-skyjacking measures were strengthened.
To illegally seize control of a ship, often for ransom or theft.
Literally 'act of piracy'. The standard term for hijacking ships at sea.
Piracy is frequent off the coast of Somalia.
A more direct translation: 'ship seizure'. Used when emphasizing the act of taking control.
A loanword from English 'seajack', less common than 海賊行為.
A seajacking incident made the news.
To steal a vehicle by force or threat, often with the driver present.
To gain unauthorized control of an online account, computer, or digital system.
The general term for 'takeover' or 'hijacking' in digital contexts. Often combined with the target (e.g., アカウント乗っ取り).
My account was hijacked.
Also used for digital hijacking, though 乗っ取り is more common in this context.
ハイジャック is primarily associated with aircraft, while 乗っ取り is a broader term for any kind of takeover, including digital. For ships, 海賊行為 (piracy) is the natural choice.
The plane was hijacked.
The account was hijacked.
A ship hijacking incident was reported.
The suspect in the vehicle hijacking was arrested.
The session was hijacked.
Means 'unauthorized access'. Often used in legal or technical contexts, but implies hijacking when control is taken.
Personal information was leaked due to unauthorized access.