Translation guide
A person who occupies land or a building without legal permission. In Japanese, the term depends on whether the occupation is of land, a building, or a residence, and whether it is temporary or long-term.
To refer to someone who lives on or uses land or a building without the owner's permission, often in a context of homelessness or protest.
Squatters have taken over that building.
Similar to 不法占拠者 but emphasizes living/residing illegally. Often used in legal or news contexts.
Legal procedures are necessary to evict squatters.
Shorter term for 'occupier', often used in news headlines. Can imply illegal occupation but context is needed.
The squatters refused to vacate the building.
Literally 'unauthorized resident'. Used in formal or legal documents.
Dealing with squatters is a headache for landlords.
To refer to someone who occupies and often improves vacant land, sometimes with the intention of gaining legal title (e.g., historical homesteading or modern land grabs).
To refer to someone who takes shelter in a vacant or abandoned structure, often associated with homelessness.
The English word 'squatter' has no single exact equivalent in Japanese. Using a direct translation like スクワッター (sukuwattā) is not common and may not be understood. Always choose a term based on the specific context (land, building, legal status).
Both mean illegal occupant. 不法占拠者 focuses on the act of occupying (占拠), while 不法居住者 focuses on living/residing (居住). In many cases they are interchangeable, but 不法居住者 is slightly more common in residential contexts.
The government is cracking down on squatters on public land.
Squatters in vacant houses are becoming a problem in the neighborhood.