Translation guide
The illegal trade of people for exploitation, such as forced labor or sexual exploitation. In Japanese, the most common term is 人身売買, but related legal and social terms exist depending on context.
To refer to the crime of buying and selling people, often for forced labor or sexual exploitation.
The standard term for human trafficking, literally 'human body buying and selling'. Used in news, legal contexts, and general discussion.
人身売買は国際的な問題です。
Human trafficking is an international problem.
彼は人身売買の罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested for human trafficking.
Literally 'human body transaction', often used in legal or formal contexts, sometimes interchangeably with 人身売買.
人身取引は重大な人権侵害です。
Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation.
To refer specifically to the crime as defined in international law, often focusing on exploitation rather than just movement.
Used in official translations of UN protocols and Japanese laws. Emphasizes the transaction aspect.
日本は人身取引対策行動計画を策定した。
Japan formulated an action plan to combat trafficking in persons.
A legal term meaning 'trafficking in persons and related acts', used in specific laws.
人身取引等防止法が施行された。
The Act on Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Related Acts was enacted.
To emphasize the aspect of forcing people to work against their will, often as part of trafficking.
Means 'forced labor'. Often used when the trafficking results in labor exploitation.
彼らは強制労働を強いられた。
They were forced into labor.
Means 'labor exploitation'. Used in contexts of trafficking for work.
移民労働者の労働搾取が問題になっている。
Labor exploitation of migrant workers is a problem.
To refer specifically to trafficking for sexual purposes.
Means 'sexual exploitation'. Often used in the context of trafficking for prostitution or pornography.
性的搾取の被害者は女性や子どもが多い。
Victims of sexual exploitation are often women and children.
Means 'forced prostitution'. Used when trafficking involves forcing victims into sex work.
売春強要は人身売買の一形態です。
Forced prostitution is a form of human trafficking.
To refer to trafficking involving minors.
Specifically 'child human trafficking'. Used in child protection contexts.
児童人身売買は絶対に許されない。
Child trafficking is absolutely unacceptable.
Means 'child prostitution', often linked to trafficking. Note: this term focuses on the act of buying sex with a child.
This term specifically refers to the act of paying for sex with a child, not the broader trafficking process.
児童買春は深刻な犯罪です。
Child prostitution is a serious crime.
To refer to the illegal trade of human organs.
Means 'organ trafficking' or 'organ trade'. Often associated with human trafficking for organ removal.
臓器売買は国際的に禁止されている。
Organ trafficking is internationally prohibited.
Both translate to 'human trafficking', but 人身売買 (じんしんばいばい) is more common in everyday news and general contexts, while 人身取引 (じんしんとりひき) is often used in legal documents and international treaties. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but 人身売買 emphasizes the buying/selling aspect, whereas 人身取引 emphasizes the transaction.
Do not translate 'human trafficking' literally as 人間の交通 (にんげんのこうつう) or 人間の輸送 (にんげんのゆそう). These would mean 'human transportation' and are not used for the crime.