obstruction; hindrance; impediment
A noun for something that gets in the way of an action, progress, development, or goal. Common in patterns such as 妨げになる and 妨げとなる.
Noise is a hindrance to studying.
その規則が新しい事業の妨げとなっている。
That rule is becoming an obstacle to new business.
That noise becomes a hindrance to concentration.
The old system is serving as an obstacle to reform.
The company is making efforts to remove obstacles to growth.