恩赦(おんしゃ)

おんしゃ
noun
amnesty; pardon; clemency
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
general
Added 2026.5.8 1:15
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