1.
wealthy class, affluent people, the rich
The segment of the population with substantial financial assets and high income. Used in economic, sociological, and media contexts to describe the upper economic bracket.
富裕層が増えている。
The wealthy class is growing.
この地域には富裕層が多く住んでいる。
Many affluent people live in this area.
富裕層向けの高級マンションが次々と建設されている。
Luxury condominiums targeting the wealthy are being built one after another.
STRUCTURE:
富裕 (wealthy, affluent) + 層 (class, stratum, layer).
USAGE:
富裕層 is a neutral, analytical term used in news, economics, and marketing. It is not pejorative. In Japan, the term is commonly defined by the financial industry as households with financial assets exceeding 100 million yen (一億円).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 金持ち: rich person (everyday, informal)
- 資産家: person of means, wealthy person
- 上流階級: upper class (focuses on social status)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 富裕層向け: targeting the wealthy
- 超富裕層: ultra-wealthy class
- 富裕層ビジネス: business catering to the affluent