1.
to install, to set up, to back (as leader)
To elevate or install someone in a position of authority, especially as a political leader, party head, or figurehead. Implies that a group collectively supports and puts forward a person for a leadership role.
新しい党首を擁立した。
They installed a new party leader.
野党は独自の候補者を擁立する方針だ。
The opposition party plans to put forward its own candidate.
各派閥がそれぞれの候補を擁立し、党内の対立が深まった。
Each faction put forward its own candidate, deepening the divisions within the party.
GRAMMAR:
Used as a する verb: 擁立する. Takes を to mark the person being installed: ～を擁立する.
USAGE:
A political and historical term. Most commonly seen in news coverage of elections, leadership contests, and party politics. In historical contexts, it describes the installation of emperors, shoguns, or other rulers by powerful supporters.
The word implies that the person being installed has the backing of a group or faction, rather than achieving the position entirely on their own.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 候補者を擁立する: to put forward a candidate
- 党首を擁立する: to install a party leader
- 対立候補を擁立: to put up a rival candidate