Translation guide
A military secret is confidential information related to national defense or armed forces. In Japanese, the most common and direct term is 軍事機密 (ぐんじきみつ). Depending on context, other expressions like 軍機 (ぐんき) or 防衛秘密 (ぼうえいひみつ) may be used. This guide covers how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
Referring to any confidential information related to military operations, plans, or technology.
The standard, formal term for 'military secret'. Used in official contexts, news, and legal documents.
その文書は軍事機密に指定されている。
The document is classified as a military secret.
軍事機密の漏洩は重罪だ。
Leaking military secrets is a serious crime.
A more concise, somewhat formal term for military secrets. Often used in compounds like 軍機保護法 (Military Secrets Protection Law).
軍機保護法に違反した。
He violated the Military Secrets Protection Law.
Specifically refers to defense secrets, often used in the context of Japan's Self-Defense Forces or defense-related classified information.
防衛秘密を守ることは重要だ。
Protecting defense secrets is important.
Expressing the act of disclosing or exposing confidential military information.
The most common way to say 'leak military secrets'. 漏らす means to leak or divulge.
彼は軍事機密を漏らした疑いで逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of leaking military secrets.
A more formal way to say 'leak military secrets', often used in legal or official contexts.
軍機を漏洩した者は厳しく罰せられる。
Those who leak military secrets are severely punished.
Expressing the act of safeguarding confidential military information.
The standard way to say 'protect military secrets'. 守る means to protect or guard.
我々は軍事機密を守らなければならない。
We must protect military secrets.
A formal phrase for protecting military secrets, often used in legal or policy contexts.
軍機を保護するための法律が制定された。
A law was enacted to protect military secrets.
軍事機密 is the most general and widely used term. 軍機 is a shorter, more formal version often found in legal terms. 防衛秘密 specifically refers to defense secrets, particularly in the context of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
While 秘密 (ひみつ) means 'secret', simply saying 軍事の秘密 is not idiomatic. Use the compound 軍事機密 instead.