The ruling party is the party that currently holds power and forms the government.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the political party currently in power.
- Responsible for forming the cabinet and leading government policy.
- Used frequently in political news and parliamentary discussions.
概要
与党（よとう）は、国政において政権を握り、内閣を組織している政党を指します。民主主義国家において、選挙の結果に基づいて選ばれた政党が政策を立案・実行する中心的な役割を担います。2) 使用パターン: 文中では「与党の議員」「与党の政策」「与党と野党」といった形で頻繁に使用されます。政治ニュースや新聞の見出しで非常によく目にする言葉です。3) 一般的な文脈: ニュース番組や政治議論、国会中継などで使われます。現在の日本の政治状況を理解するために必須の単語です。4) 類似語との比較: 「野党」は政権を担当していない政党を指し、与党と対比される言葉です。また「政権与党」という言葉もよく使われ、これは現在政権を担っているという事実をより強調する際に用いられます。
Examples
与党が新しい法律を提案した。
everydayThe ruling party proposed a new law.
与党と野党の間で激しい議論が交わされた。
formalA fierce debate took place between the ruling and opposition parties.
次の選挙で与党が変わるかもしれない。
informalThe ruling party might change in the next election.
政権与党の政策決定プロセスを分析する。
academicAnalyzing the policy-making process of the ruling coalition.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
与党の議席
Seats held by the ruling party
与党合意
Ruling party agreement
与党案
Ruling party proposal
Often Confused With
Yato is the opposition party. It is the exact opposite of Yoto.
Seifu means the government/administration. While the ruling party forms the government, they are conceptually different entities.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is formal and primarily used in political, journalistic, and academic contexts. It is rarely used in casual daily conversation unless discussing current events. Always used to describe the party in power at the national or local government level.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes confuse 'yoto' with 'yato'. Remember that 'Yo' (与) means to give or provide, while 'Ya' (野) refers to the field or outside. It is also common to mistake it for the government as a whole, but it specifically refers to the political party.
Tips
Use with political news
Listen to the morning news or read newspapers to see how 'yoto' is used in context. It is almost always paired with 'yato' (opposition party).
Don't confuse with government office
Remember that 'yoto' refers to the political party, not the government building or the administrative branch itself.
Coalition government culture
In Japan, it is very common for the ruling party to be a coalition of two or more parties, known as 'renritsu yoto'.
Word Origin
The kanji '与' means 'giving' or 'participation', implying participation in the government. '党' means 'political party'.
Cultural Context
In Japan, the relationship between the ruling party and opposition parties is a central pillar of the parliamentary system. Discussions often revolve around whether the ruling party has a sufficient majority to pass bills.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Yo' (与) as 'Yes, we are in charge'. The 'Yo' party is the one saying 'Yes' to governing.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions与党は政権を担い政策を実行する側ですが、野党は政権を担わず、与党の政策をチェックし批判・対案を出す側の政党です。
単に「与党」と言うよりも、現在実際に政権を握っているという状況を明確に強調するために使われることが多いです。
通常、衆議院選挙などの結果によって、議席の過半数を獲得した政党や、複数の政党による連立政権が与党となります。
いいえ、複数の政党が協力して政権を担う「連立与党」という形態をとることも一般的です。
Test Yourself
今回の選挙で勝利した政党が___となった。
政権を担当する政党を「与党」と呼びます。
「与党」の意味はどれですか？
与党は政権を担う政党を指します。
（野党 / 与党 / 議論する / と / が / ）
「与党が野党と議論する」が自然な語順です。
Score: /3
Summary
The ruling party is the party that currently holds power and forms the government.
- Refers to the political party currently in power.
- Responsible for forming the cabinet and leading government policy.
- Used frequently in political news and parliamentary discussions.
Use with political news
Listen to the morning news or read newspapers to see how 'yoto' is used in context. It is almost always paired with 'yato' (opposition party).
Don't confuse with government office
Remember that 'yoto' refers to the political party, not the government building or the administrative branch itself.
Coalition government culture
In Japan, it is very common for the ruling party to be a coalition of two or more parties, known as 'renritsu yoto'.
Examples
4 of 4与党が新しい法律を提案した。
The ruling party proposed a new law.
与党と野党の間で激しい議論が交わされた。
A fierce debate took place between the ruling and opposition parties.
次の選挙で与党が変わるかもしれない。
The ruling party might change in the next election.
政権与党の政策決定プロセスを分析する。
Analyzing the policy-making process of the ruling coalition.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More politics words
撤廃
B2The total abolition or removal of an established system, law, or restriction.
援助する
A2To assist; to help; to support.
訴える
A2To appeal; to sue; to complain.
容認
B2To approve, permit, or tolerate something, even if it is not ideal. It often implies a passive or reluctant acceptance of a situation.
逮捕する
A2To arrest. To seize someone by legal authority.
諮問
B2To refer a matter to an advisory body or an expert for their opinion or deliberation.
是正
B2To correct or rectify a wrong situation, inequality, or error. It is often used in official contexts like correcting social injustices or market imbalances.
腐敗
B2The decomposition of organic matter (biological) or the dishonest/fraudulent conduct by those in power (social). A common topic in IELTS essays about governance.
批判する
A2To criticize. To express disapproval of someone or something.
民主主義
A2Democracy. A system of government by the whole population.
