Translation guide
An open letter is a letter intended for a wide audience, often published in a newspaper or online, addressing a public issue or criticizing a public figure. In Japanese, the concept is expressed with specific terms, and the format and style differ from English.
To express a public message, often critical or advocating for change, addressed to a specific person or group but published for all to read.
The standard term for an open letter. It is a formal, written document published in media.
彼は新聞に公開状を掲載した。
He published an open letter in the newspaper.
A loanword from English, used in modern contexts, especially online or in social media campaigns.
有名人がSNSでオープンレターを発表した。
The celebrity posted an open letter on social media.
Open letters in Japan are often used in political or social activism, but they may be less confrontational than in some Western cultures. The format is typically formal and respectful, even when criticizing.
A more formal or literary term for an open letter, often used in official or academic contexts.
教授たちは大学当局に公開書簡を送った。
The professors sent an open letter to the university administration.