right of preoccupancy; right of prior occupation
Legal term referring to the right acquired by being the first to occupy or take possession of something, such as land or resources.
In international law, the right of preoccupancy over terra nullius is sometimes discussed.
It was claimed that ownership of this land is based on the right of prior occupation.
Compound of 占取 (senshu, 'occupation' or 'taking possession') and 権 (ken, 'right'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a Sino-Japanese legal term.