恩 赦(おんしゃ)

おんしゃ

noun

amnesty; pardon; clemency

formallegalsociety

1. amnesty; pardon; clemency

An official act by the government forgiving or reducing the punishment of convicted individuals. In Japan, granted by the Cabinet with the Emperor's attestation.

恩赦(おんしゃ)が実施(じっし)された。

An amnesty was carried out.

即位(そくい)の礼(れい)に合(あ)わせて恩赦(おんしゃ)が行(おこな)われた。

An amnesty was carried out to mark the enthronement ceremony.

恩赦(おんしゃ)の是非(ぜひ)については賛否(さんぴ)両論(りょうろん)があり、議論(ぎろん)が続(つづ)いている。

There are arguments both for and against amnesty, and the debate continues.

A formal legal and political term. In Japan, 恩赦(おんしゃ) is traditionally granted on occasions of national celebration, such as the enthronement of a new emperor or major state anniversaries. The practice is governed by the Amnesty Act (恩赦法(おんしゃほう)). Composed of 恩(おん) (grace/favor) + 赦(しゃ) (pardon/forgive).

Types of amnesty

大赦(たいしゃ): general amnesty — broad pardon for many offenders
特赦(とくしゃ): special pardon — pardon for specific individuals
減刑(げんけい): commutation — reduction of sentence
復権(ふっけん): restoration of rights — restoring civil rights lost due to conviction

Common collocations

恩赦(おんしゃ)を与(あた)える: to grant amnesty
恩赦(おんしゃ)を受(う)ける: to receive amnesty
恩赦(おんしゃ)を実施(じっし)する: to carry out an amnesty
恩赦(おんしゃ)制度(せいど): the amnesty system

Similar words

特赦(とくしゃ): special pardon — a pardon for a specific individual, as opposed to a broad amnesty
減刑(げんけい): commutation of sentence — reducing a punishment without fully pardoning
釈放(しゃくほう): release — freeing someone from prison, not necessarily with a pardon

Related Words

Compare: 釈放(しゃくほう) (release)

general

Added 2026.5.8 1:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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