告発(こくはつ)

こくはつ
noun, suru verb
accusation; disclosure; whistleblowing
1. accusation; disclosure; whistleblowing
publicly exposing or reporting wrongdoing, misconduct, or crimes to authorities or the public
不正(ふせい)を告発(こくはつ)する。
To expose wrongdoing.
内部(ないぶ)告発(こくはつ)によって汚職(おしょく)が発覚(はっかく)した。
Corruption was revealed through internal whistleblowing.
彼女(かのじょ)は勇気(ゆうき)を持(も)って会社(かいしゃ)の不祥事(ふしょうじ)を告発(こくはつ)した。
She courageously exposed the company's scandal.
告発(こくはつ)者(しゃ)の保護(ほご)が重要(じゅうよう)だ。
Protection of whistleblowers is important.

告発(こくはつ) refers to publicly accusing or exposing wrongdoing, often used for whistleblowing or reporting crimes.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 告(こく) (announce, tell, report)
  • 発(はつ) (emit, dispatch, reveal)

USAGE:

  • 告発(こくはつ)する (to accuse, to expose - suru verb)
  • 告発(こくはつ)者(しゃ) (accuser, whistleblower)
  • 内部(ないぶ)告発(こくはつ) (internal whistleblowing)

LEGAL CONTEXT:

  • Can refer to formal accusations to prosecutors
  • Different from 告訴(こくそ) which is filing charges by the victim
  • 告発(こくはつ) can be made by any third party

MODERN USAGE:

  • Commonly used for corporate whistleblowing
  • Associated with exposing corruption, fraud, and misconduct
  • 公益(こうえき)通報者(つうほうしゃ)保護法(ほごほう) (Whistleblower Protection Act)

CONTRAST:

  • 告訴(こくそ): criminal complaint filed by the victim
  • 告発(こくはつ): accusation/disclosure by any party

RELATED TERMS:

  • 告訴(こくそ) (accusation, pressing charges)
  • 内部(ないぶ)通報(つうほう) (internal reporting)
  • 暴露(ばくろ) (exposure, revelation)
  • 摘発(てきはつ) (exposure, disclosure)
general
Added 2026.1.25 8:46 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
07500/07999_kokuhatsu