Refers to a person sent to kill someone, often for political or historical reasons. Can be used in modern contexts metaphorically.
opposition candidate fielded to unseat a same-party incumbent
Abbreviation of 刺客候補. Used in Japanese politics when a party fields a candidate specifically to defeat an incumbent from the same party, often in a primary or election.
See also: 刺客候補
In historical novels, assassins often play an important role.
He is said to have sent an assassin to eliminate his political rival.
In the next election, the party might field an 'assassin' candidate to oust the incumbent.
assassin candidate; candidate fielded to oust a same-party incumbent
strategy of fielding candidates to unseat party rivals; assassin tactic
Standard kanji spelling. The reading しかく is the most common.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially when the political abbreviation sense is intended or to avoid misreading.
From Chinese 刺客 (cìkè). The political sense is a modern Japanese abbreviation of 刺客候補.