noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to a time not far from now, often used in discussions of technology, trends, or predictions. Can function as a noun or adjectivally with の.
近未来の技術について話し合った。
We discussed near-future technology.
この映画は近未来を舞台にしている。
This movie is set in the near future.
将来 often refers to a person's future prospects or career, whereas 近未来 is more about the near future in a broader, often technological or societal context.
Compound of 近 (きん, 'near') and 未来 (みらい, 'future'). The reading きんみらい follows standard on'yomi.