1.
campaign promise, public pledge, manifesto commitment
A promise or commitment made publicly, especially by a politician or political party during an election campaign. Can also refer to any formal pledge made to the public.
選挙公約を掲げる。
Put forward campaign promises.
公約を守れなかった政治家は批判された。
The politician who could not keep his campaign promises was criticized.
減税を公約に掲げて当選したが、実現には至らなかった。
He was elected on a pledge to cut taxes, but it was never realized.
Primarily used in political contexts. Often discussed in terms of whether promises are kept or broken.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 公約を掲げる (put forward a pledge)
- 公約を守る (keep a promise)
- 公約を破る (break a promise)
- 公約違反 (violation of a pledge)
- 選挙公約 (election promise)
- マニフェスト (manifesto — near-synonym borrowed from English)
In Japanese politics, 公約 is the traditional term. The loanword マニフェスト gained popularity in the 2000s to emphasize more specific, measurable commitments.