施行をする

You’ll mostly see 施行をする paired with nouns like 法律 (law), 規則 (rules), or 新制度 (new system). It’s a transitive phrase, meaning something (the law) is being 'done' or enforced by an authority. In everyday news or business meetings, you might hear the passive version 施行される (to be enforced) even more often. Think of it as the legal version of 'going live.' If a new tax law is passed today but starts next April, next April is when they 施行をする. It’s the official start line for a race that everyone is forced to run.

Imagine you're scrolling through a Japanese news site like NHK. You see a headline about a new plastic bag tax. The article will likely say, 'The government will 施行をする the new regulation next month.' Or maybe you're at a large Japanese tech company like Rakuten, and they announce a new remote work policy. The HR director might say, 'We will 施行をする this system starting Monday.' Even on social media, you’ll see people complaining about new traffic laws by saying, 'I can't believe they’re going to 施行をする this ridiculous rule!' It's the language of the 'official' world entering your personal space.

Use this phrase when you want to sound professional, authoritative, or when discussing official matters. It’s perfect for business reports, legal discussions, or explaining the start date of a new policy. If you’re a manager announcing a new office rule (like no shoes in the breakroom), using 施行をする makes it sound like a serious decree rather than just a suggestion. It’s also the go-to phrase for anyone studying for the JLPT N1 or N2, as it’s a staple of formal Japanese. Use it when the 'what' and the 'when' of a rule are set in stone.

Don't use 施行をする for personal habits or casual agreements. If you and your roommate agree to wash the dishes every other day, saying you will 施行をする that rule sounds like you’re trying to be a dictator (which might be funny, but it’s definitely weird). Also, avoid it for physical construction or manufacturing. Even though the word 'execute' works in English for both, in Japanese, building a house is 施工 (sekō), not 施行 (shikō). If you tell a builder to 施行 your house, they might try to pass a law about your kitchen instead of building it!

The biggest trap is the 'Twin Terror': 施行 (shikō) and 施工 (sekō). They look similar and sound nearly identical to the untrained ear. Remember: 施行 is for laws (the 'force' is with the law), and 施工 is for construction (building things). Another mistake is using it for 'following' a rule. You don't 施行 a rule as a citizen; the government 施行s it, and you 守る (follow) it.

A common cousin is 実施する (jisshi suru). This means 'to carry out' or 'to implement.' While 施行をする is strictly for laws and systems, 実施する is broader. You can 実施 a survey, a test, or a plan. Another one is 適用する (tekiyō suru), which means 'to apply.' If a law is 施行 (enforced), it might be 適用 (applied) to your specific case. Think of 施行 as the software update being released, and 適用 as you actually installing it on your phone.

You will often see 施行 combined with other words to create specific legal terms. 施行日 (shikō-bi) is the 'enforcement date'—the most important date on any new contract. There’s also 施行規則 (shikō kisoku), which are the detailed 'enforcement regulations' that explain exactly how a law will work. In casual conversation, people might just say スタートする (to start), but if you want to sound like you know your stuff in a Japanese office, stick with 施行 for anything involving a formal system change.

Is 施行 only for the government? Not at all! Big companies, schools, and even sports leagues use it for their official rules. Can I use it for a new app feature? Usually, for software, we use リリース (release) or 実装 (implementation). 施行 is specifically for 'rules' people have to follow. What if the law stops? That’s 廃止 (haishi - abolition). 施行 is the birth of the rule; 廃止 is the funeral. If you’re talking about the 'Go' button, you're in 施行 territory.