noun
direct cause; proximate cause
Technical term used in fields such as law, medicine, and risk analysis to distinguish the immediate trigger from underlying factors. Often contrasted with 至近要因 (proximate cause) or 間接要因 (indirect cause).
See also: 至近要因
事故の直接要因は運転手の居眠り運転だった。
The direct cause of the accident was the driver falling asleep at the wheel.
感染症の直接要因は病原体への曝露である。
The direct cause of an infectious disease is exposure to the pathogen.
Compound of 直接 (direct) + 要因 (cause, factor). The term is a modern technical coinage, likely influenced by English 'direct cause' or 'proximate cause'.