1.
legal obligation; legal duty
An obligation imposed by law that a person or organization must fulfill. Failure to comply may result in legal consequences such as penalties, lawsuits, or sanctions.
納税は国民の法的義務だ。
Paying taxes is a legal obligation of citizens.
企業には従業員の安全を守る法的義務がある。
Companies have a legal obligation to protect the safety of their employees.
法的義務を怠った場合、罰則が科されることがある。
If you neglect your legal obligations, penalties may be imposed.
A compound of 法的 (legal) and 義務 (obligation, duty). Distinguishes obligations enforceable by law from moral or social obligations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 法的義務を負う — to bear a legal obligation
- 法的義務を果たす — to fulfill a legal obligation
- 法的義務を怠る — to neglect a legal obligation
- 法的義務がある — to have a legal obligation
- 法的義務違反 — breach of legal obligation
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 義務 — obligation, duty (broader; includes moral and social duties)
- 道義的責任 — moral responsibility (not legally enforceable)
- 努力義務 — best-effort obligation (encouraged by law but not strictly mandatory; a uniquely Japanese legal concept)
- 法的責任 — legal responsibility (overlaps but emphasizes accountability for consequences rather than the duty itself)
NOTE:
Japanese law frequently distinguishes between 法的義務 (hard obligations with penalties) and 努力義務 (soft obligations that encourage compliance without penalties). This distinction is common in labor, safety, and environmental regulations.