Treaties, conflicts, aid and the words the foreign news is written in.
Foreign news in Japanese runs on two-kanji nouns, and they come in families that share a kanji: 移民 and 難民, 同盟 and 加盟, 軍事 and 軍縮. Learning what each kanji means pays off quickly here. One small trap: 国際 is not used like the English adjective "international" on its own; it stands in front of another noun, as in 国際会議, or becomes 国際的な.
The words
View
Noun (40)
国際internationalNounN2
来月、東京で環境に関する国際会議が開かれる。An international conference on the environment will be held in Tokyo next month.
Mostly in front of another noun: 国際線, international flights.
国連the United Nations; the UNNounN2
国連は紛争地域に食料を送った。The UN sent food to the conflict zone.
Short for 国際連合.
条約treatyNounN2
両国は平和条約に署名した。The two countries signed a peace treaty.
協定agreement; accordNounN2
両国は漁業に関する協定を結んだ。The two countries concluded an agreement on fishing.
Narrower and more practical than a 条約.
締結conclusion (of a treaty or contract)NounN2
貿易協定の締結に向けた話し合いが続いている。Talks aimed at concluding a trade agreement are continuing.
Also a verb: 締結する.
調印signing (of an official document)NounN2
各国の代表が見守る中、条約の調印式が行われた。The treaty was signed at a ceremony watched by representatives of many countries.
Also a verb: 調印する.
批准ratificationNounN2
条約は各国の議会が批准してから発効する。The treaty takes effect once each country’s parliament has ratified it.
Also a verb: 批准する.
加盟membership; joining (an organisation)NounN2
加盟国の多くがその案に賛成した。Many of the member states supported the proposal.
Also a verb: 加盟する.
同盟allianceNounN2
両国は長年同盟関係にある。The two countries have been allies for many years.
友好friendship (between nations)NounN2
両国の友好を記念して、桜の木が植えられた。Cherry trees were planted to mark the friendship between the two countries.
Between states, cities and organisations; between people, 友情.
大使ambassadorNounN2
新しい大使が着任の挨拶をした。The new ambassador gave an address on taking up the post.
領土territoryNounN2
領土をめぐる問題は、話し合いで解決するべきだ。Territorial disputes should be settled through dialogue.
民族ethnic group; peopleNounN2
この国には多くの民族が暮らしている。Many ethnic groups live in this country.
Not 民俗, folk customs, which sounds the same.
移民immigrant; emigrant; immigrationNounN2
移民の受け入れについて、国内の意見は分かれている。Opinion at home is divided over accepting immigrants.
難民refugeeNounN2
戦闘を逃れた難民が隣国に押し寄せた。Refugees fleeing the fighting poured into the neighbouring country.
亡命exile; political asylumNounN2
政府を批判した作家が海外に亡命した。A writer who had criticised the government fled into exile abroad.
Also a verb: 亡命する.
紛争conflict; disputeNounN2
紛争が長引き、多くの市民が家を失った。As the conflict dragged on, many civilians lost their homes.
Armed or not; a labour dispute is a 労働紛争.
対立confrontation; oppositionNounN2
両国は資源の開発をめぐって対立している。The two countries are at odds over the development of resources.
Also a verb: 対立する.
摩擦frictionNounN2
輸出の急増が貿易摩擦を生んだ。A sharp rise in exports gave rise to trade friction.
Also friction in the physical sense.
情勢situation; state of affairsNounN2
現地の情勢が悪化したため、大使館は自国民に退避を呼びかけた。As the situation on the ground worsened, the embassy urged its citizens to leave.
侵攻invasionNounN2
隣国への侵攻は国際法に違反している。The invasion of the neighbouring country violates international law.
Also a verb: 侵攻する.
武力armed force; military forceNounN2
武力で国境を変えることは許されない。Changing borders by force is not permitted.
軍事military affairsNounN2
国境の近くで大規模な軍事演習が行われた。Large-scale military exercises were held near the border.
Mostly in compounds: 軍事費, military spending.
核兵器nuclear weaponsNounN2
核兵器をなくすための運動が続いている。The movement to abolish nuclear weapons continues.
軍縮disarmamentNounN2
軍縮をめぐる国際会議が開かれた。An international conference on disarmament was held.
安全保障national securityNounN2
安全保障について、隣国と協議を重ねている。Repeated talks on security are being held with the neighbouring country.
制裁sanctions; punishmentNounN2
国際社会はその国に経済制裁を科した。The international community imposed economic sanctions on that country.
