noun
duty of confidentiality; obligation to keep secrets
A legal or professional obligation not to disclose confidential information. Commonly used in contracts, corporate policies, and professional ethics.
医師には患者の情報に関する守秘義務がある。
Doctors have a duty of confidentiality regarding patient information.
契約書に守秘義務の条項が含まれている。
The contract includes a confidentiality clause.
秘密保持 is a broader term for maintaining secrecy, while 守秘義務 specifically refers to a legal or professional duty.
Compound of 守秘 (shuhi, 'keeping secrets') and 義務 (gimu, 'duty, obligation').