Translation guide
The English word "policy" covers a wide range of meanings, from formal organizational rules to personal principles. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on context.
A set of rules, guidelines, or a plan adopted by a government, company, school, etc.
A personal rule, principle, or way of doing things that one consistently follows.
A contract of insurance.
方針 is a general term for a policy or guideline in any organization, including personal principles. 政策 is specifically for government or political policies. Use 方針 for company rules, personal approaches, or broad directions. Use 政策 for economic, foreign, or social measures by the state.
While ポリシー is understood, it is often a loanword used in specific contexts like IT or business jargon. Overusing it can sound unnatural. In most cases, 方針 or a phrase like ～ことにしている is more natural.
御社のリモートワークに関する方針は何ですか？
What is your company's policy on remote work?
友達にお金を貸さないことにしている。
It's my policy not to lend money to friends.
The most common and versatile word for a policy, guideline, or basic direction set by an organization. Used in business, government, and institutional contexts.
会社は新しい方針を発表した。
The company announced a new policy.
政府の方針に従って行動する。
Act in accordance with government policy.
Specifically refers to government or political policies, measures, or strategies. Often used for economic, foreign, or social policies.
新しい経済政策が導入された。
A new economic policy was introduced.
外交政策について議論する。
Discuss foreign policy.
Refers to specific rules, regulations, or stipulations, often written. Used for company rules, terms of service, etc.
就業規定を確認してください。
Please check the employment regulations.
この規定に違反すると罰則があります。
Violating this policy will result in penalties.
Loanword from English, used mainly in business or IT contexts (e.g., privacy policy, security policy). Less common in everyday speech.
プライバシーポリシーを更新しました。
We updated our privacy policy.
Also used for personal policies or principles, though slightly formal. Can be used for one's own approach to life or work.
私の方針は、常に正直でいることです。
My policy is to always be honest.
彼は自分の方針を曲げない。
He never compromises his principles.
Means 'principle' or 'doctrine'. Often used in compounds like 現実主義 (realism) or 菜食主義 (vegetarianism). Can sound ideological.
それが私の主義です。
That's my principle/policy.
彼は無駄を出さない主義だ。
He has a policy of not wasting anything.
A natural way to express a personal policy or habit: 'I make it a rule to ~'. Use after dictionary form of verb.
毎朝ジョギングすることにしている。
I make it a policy to jog every morning.
仕事中は私用電話をしないことにしている。
I have a policy of not making personal calls during work.
Similar to ～ことにしている, but emphasizes effort or intention. 'I try to make sure that ~'.
毎日野菜を食べるようにしている。
I have a policy of eating vegetables every day.
The formal term for an insurance policy document. Used in official contexts.
保険証券を紛失した。
I lost my insurance policy.
Often used alone to mean 'insurance policy' in everyday conversation. Context clarifies it's the policy, not the concept.
生命保険に入る。
Take out a life insurance policy.
自動車保険を更新する。
Renew my car insurance policy.
My policy is... (unnatural in casual speech)
The government's economic policy is controversial.
My policy is... (unnatural in casual speech)