以い夷い制せい夷い

noun

controlling foreigners by using other foreigners; playing one barbarian state against another

A yojijukugo derived from classical Chinese strategy; used in historical or political contexts to describe a divide-and-rule approach against external groups.

See also: 夷を以て夷を制す

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくの王おう朝ちょうは、周しゅう辺へん民みん族ぞくに対たいして以い夷い制せい夷いの策さくをとることがあった。

  Ancient Chinese dynasties sometimes adopted a policy of controlling barbarians by using other barbarians.

• この外がい交こう方ほう針しんは、いわゆる以い夷い制せい夷いの考かんがえ方かたに基もとづいている。

  This diplomatic approach is based on the so-called idea of playing one foreign power against another.