1.
grassroots, the common people, ordinary citizens
The ordinary people in a society or community, as opposed to leaders or elites. Used as a modifier to describe movements, activities, or efforts that originate from ordinary citizens rather than from institutions or authorities.
草の根の活動が広がっている。
Grassroots activities are spreading.
草の根レベルでの交流が両国の関係を支えている。
Grassroots-level exchanges are supporting the relationship between the two countries.
環境保護は政府の政策だけでなく、草の根の運動によっても大きく前進してきた。
Environmental protection has advanced greatly not only through government policy but also through grassroots movements.
USAGE:
Almost always used as a modifier (草の根の + noun). Conveys the sense of bottom-up action by ordinary citizens. In Japanese politics and social discourse, 草の根 activities are contrasted with top-down government or corporate initiatives.
NOTE:
The concept became prominent in Japan partly through the influence of American "grassroots" political culture, but Japanese 草の根 movements have their own distinct history in community organizing and citizen activism.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 草の根運動: grassroots movement
- 草の根活動: grassroots activity
- 草の根交流: people-to-people exchange
- 草の根外交: grassroots diplomacy