noun
forced relocation of a daimyo to a different domain
Historical term from the Edo period; refers to the shogunate's practice of moving daimyo to different fiefs, often as a form of control or punishment.
江戸時代、幕府は大名の国替えを命じることがあった。
During the Edo period, the shogunate sometimes ordered the forced relocation of daimyo to different domains.
noun
change of constituency; change of district
Modern political term; used when a politician changes the electoral district they represent, often due to redistricting or strategic reasons.
次の選挙で彼は国替えをして、地元の選挙区から別の選挙区に移った。
In the next election, he changed constituencies, moving from his local district to another.
Compound of 国 (kuni, 'province' or 'domain') and 替え (kae, 'change' or 'replacement'). The historical sense dates to the Edo period, while the modern political sense is an extension of the same concept.