革新(かくしん)

革新(かくしん) means innovation or reform - significant change bringing improvement or modernization.

Etymology

革(かく) (reform, change) + 新(しん) (new) = innovation

Compounds

• 技術(ぎじゅつ)革新(かくしん): technological innovation
• 革新的(かくしんてき)(な): innovative
• 革新(かくしん)政党(せいとう): progressive/reform party

Common patterns

Can function as する verb: 革新(かくしん)する (to innovate, to reform)

Similar words

• イノベーション: innovation (loanword)
• 改革(かいかく): reform (often political/institutional)
• 刷新(さっしん): renovation, complete renewal

Political usage

革新(かくしん) often refers to progressive/left-leaning politics, contrasted with 保守(ほしゅ) (conservative).