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B1 noun, verb #1,800 most common 12 min read

確保

kakuho Top 1,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 確保 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 確保 in your Level:

At the A1 beginner level, the word 確保 (kakuho) might seem a bit complex, but it is actually very useful to understand early on because you will hear it in public spaces in Japan. While beginners usually learn words like 取る (toru - to take) or 予約する (yoyaku suru - to reserve), 確保 is the word you will see on signs or hear in announcements. For example, if you go to a busy food court in a Japanese mall, you might see a sign that says '席の確保' (seki no kakuho), which means 'securing a seat.' It means you should find a table and put your bag or a small towel on it before you go to order your food. This is a very common cultural practice in Japan. At this level, you don't need to use the word in complicated business sentences. Just knowing that 'kakuho' means 'to make sure you have something' or 'to secure a spot' is enough. If you are traveling with a Japanese friend, they might say '席を確保して！' (Seki o kakuho shite!), which means 'Grab a seat!' Another common situation for beginners is hearing it during an emergency. Japan has many earthquakes, and the phrase '安全を確保する' (anzen o kakuho suru - secure safety) is taught to everyone. If your phone makes an emergency alert sound, the message will often tell you to 'kakuho' your safety, meaning you should hide under a desk or move away from falling objects. So, for A1 learners, focus on these two main ideas: securing a physical space like a seat, and securing your personal safety during an emergency. Recognizing the kanji 確保 on signs will also help you navigate public spaces more comfortably.

At the A2 elementary level, you can start using 確保 (kakuho) in your own sentences to sound more natural and capable in daily situations. While at A1 you mostly just recognized the word, at A2 you can actively use it with the verb する (suru - to do). The basic pattern is [Noun] を確保する. You can use this when you are planning an event with friends or organizing your schedule. For example, if you want to have a cherry blossom viewing party (hanami), finding a good spot in the park is very competitive. You can tell your friends, '私が場所を確保します' (Watashi ga basho o kakuho shimasu - I will secure the spot). This sounds much better than just saying '場所を取ります' (basho o torimasu). Another great way to use it at the A2 level is when talking about time. Everyone is busy, and finding time to study Japanese or exercise can be hard. You can say '勉強の時間を確保する' (benkyou no jikan o kakuho suru - to secure time for studying). This shows that you are making a deliberate effort to make time for something important. You can also use it in the negative form. If a friend asks you to help them move on a weekend, but you are too busy, you can politely decline by saying '時間が確保できません' (Jikan ga kakuho dekimasen - I cannot secure the time). This is a very polite and mature way to say you are busy. By practicing these simple patterns—securing a place (場所), a seat (席), or time (時間)—you will significantly improve your conversational Japanese and sound more like a native speaker.

At the B1 intermediate level, 確保 (kakuho) becomes an essential vocabulary word for expressing yourself in more professional, academic, or serious contexts. At this stage, you are moving beyond simple daily survival Japanese and starting to discuss concepts like work, society, and planning. 確保 is perfectly suited for these topics. In a business context, you will frequently use and hear this word regarding resources. For example, '予算を確保する' (yosan o kakuho suru - to secure a budget) or '人材を確保する' (jinzai o kakuho suru - to secure human resources/staff). If you are writing a business email or giving a presentation, using 確保 demonstrates a professional command of the language. You can also use it to express purpose using the grammar point '〜ために' (tame ni - in order to). For instance, '新しいプロジェクトを始めるために、資金を確保しなければならない' (In order to start the new project, we must secure funding). Furthermore, at the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the passive form, 確保される (kakuho sareru - to be secured). This is very common in news reports or formal announcements. For example, '全員の安全が確保されました' (Everyone's safety has been secured) is a standard phrase used after an evacuation drill or a real emergency. You will also see it in news articles about national issues, such as 'エネルギーの確保' (securing energy) or '食料の確保' (securing food). Understanding how to use 確保 with abstract nouns like safety, budget, personnel, and resources is a key milestone in reaching B1 proficiency, allowing you to participate in more complex and meaningful conversations.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your understanding and usage of 確保 (kakuho) should become highly nuanced and versatile. You are expected to not only know the basic meanings but also to understand its collocations, compound forms, and subtle differences from synonyms. At this level, you should be able to effortlessly distinguish 確保 from words like 獲得 (kakutoku - acquisition), 維持 (iji - maintenance), and 保証 (hoshou - guarantee). You understand that 確保 implies a proactive effort to guarantee the availability of a necessary resource against potential scarcity. In business and formal writing, you can use compound words that include 確保. For example, '確保策' (kakuhosaku - measures to secure something) is a great term to use in essays or reports. '優秀な人材の確保策を検討する' (To consider measures for securing excellent human resources). You should also be comfortable using it in complex sentence structures, such as conditionals or concessions. '十分な睡眠時間を確保しない限り、仕事のパフォーマンスは上がらない' (Unless you secure sufficient sleep time, your work performance will not improve). Additionally, at the B2 level, you will encounter 確保 in legal or administrative contexts. For instance, '権利の確保' (securing of rights) or '証拠の確保' (securing of evidence) in news stories about police investigations. Your ability to read a newspaper article about government policy—such as '安定的な電力供給の確保' (securing a stable power supply)—and fully grasp the implications of the word 確保 is a strong indicator of your B2 proficiency. You use the word naturally to convey responsibility, strategic planning, and necessity.

At the C1 advanced level, 確保 (kakuho) is a fully integrated part of your active vocabulary, used with precision and rhetorical effectiveness. You are capable of deploying this word in high-level debates, academic papers, and complex professional negotiations. At this stage, you understand the sociolinguistic weight of the word. When a politician or CEO uses 確保, it is often a strategic choice to emphasize commitment and reassure stakeholders. You can analyze and replicate this tone. For example, in a corporate strategy meeting, you might argue, '当社の市場競争力を維持するためには、最先端技術を扱えるエンジニアの継続的な確保が急務である' (In order to maintain our market competitiveness, the continuous securing of engineers capable of handling cutting-edge technology is an urgent task). Notice the use of modifiers like '継続的な' (continuous) to add depth to the concept of 確保. You are also adept at using idiomatic or highly specific collocations. In disaster management discourse, phrases like '避難経路の確保' (securing an evacuation route) or '通信インフラの確保' (securing communication infrastructure) are second nature to you. Furthermore, you can critically evaluate texts that use this word. If an article discusses '財源の確保' (securing financial resources) for a new policy, you immediately understand the underlying political challenges implied by the word—that the funds are not readily available and must be actively sought, perhaps through taxation or budget cuts elsewhere. Your mastery at the C1 level means you use 確保 not just to describe an action, but to convey the difficulty, necessity, and strategic importance of that action within a broader context.

At the C2 mastery level, your command of 確保 (kakuho) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You possess an intuitive grasp of its etymology, its historical usage, and its subtle psychological impacts in discourse. You recognize that the kanji 確 (certain/firm) and 保 (protect/maintain) combine to create a concept that is deeply rooted in the Japanese cultural emphasis on stability, preparedness, and risk mitigation. In highly specialized fields—such as macroeconomics, international law, or advanced engineering—you use 確保 with absolute precision. You might write a thesis discussing '国家安全保障におけるシーレーンの確保' (the securing of sea lanes in national security) or '持続可能な社会に向けた再生可能エネルギーの安定的確保' (the stable securing of renewable energy for a sustainable society). You are capable of playing with the word's nuances for rhetorical effect in speeches or persuasive writing. You understand how to contrast 確保 with other abstract concepts to make a compelling argument. For instance, '単なる利益の追求ではなく、社会的信頼の確保こそが企業の真の目的であるべきだ' (Rather than the mere pursuit of profit, the securing of social trust should be the true purpose of a corporation). At this level, you also effortlessly navigate the passive, causative, and causative-passive forms of the verb in complex, multi-clause sentences without losing grammatical accuracy or stylistic elegance. Your use of 確保 reflects a profound comprehension of Japanese societal values, where the collective effort to secure safety, resources, and harmony is a paramount virtue.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

確保 in 30 Seconds

Securing a physical space (like a seat or room).
Ensuring a condition (like safety or rights).
Obtaining abstract resources (like time or budget).
Maintaining availability against scarcity or loss.

The Japanese word 確保 (kakuho) is a highly versatile and essential term in both everyday life and professional environments, fundamentally meaning to secure, maintain, or ensure the availability of something important. When we break down the kanji that make up this word, we gain a profound understanding of its core implications. The first character, 確 (kaku), carries the meaning of 'certain,' 'sure,' or 'firm.' It is the same kanji found in words like 確認 (kakunin - confirmation) and 正確 (seikaku - accurate). The second character, 保 (ho), means 'to protect,' 'guarantee,' 'keep,' or 'preserve,' appearing in words like 保存 (hozon - preservation) and 保険 (hoken - insurance). Therefore, when combined, 確保 literally translates to 'firmly protecting' or 'certainly keeping' something. This concept applies to a wide array of contexts, ranging from the physical to the abstract. For instance, you can secure a physical object, such as a seat on a crowded train or a table at a popular restaurant.

電車の席を確保する。

In this physical sense, the word implies taking action to claim something before it is taken by others, ensuring it is available for your use. However, the true power of 確保 lies in its abstract applications. In business, politics, and daily management, it is frequently used to describe the act of securing intangible but vital resources.

Abstract Usage: Securing budgets, time, human resources, or safety.

When a project manager speaks of 予算を確保する (securing a budget), they are talking about guaranteeing that the necessary funds are allocated and protected from being spent elsewhere. Similarly, 人材を確保する (securing human resources) refers to the challenging task of recruiting and retaining qualified employees in a competitive job market.

優秀な人材を確保するのは難しい。

Another critical and very common application of this word is in the context of safety and security. 安全を確保する (to ensure safety) is a phrase you will hear repeatedly during emergency broadcasts, disaster drills, and construction site briefings. It means taking all necessary steps to guarantee that people are safe from harm. The nuance of 確保 is not just about getting something; it is about the deliberate, often strategic effort required to obtain and hold onto it against potential loss, competition, or scarcity. It implies a sense of responsibility and foresight. You do not just 'get' a budget; you 'secure' it through negotiation and planning. You do not just 'find' a seat; you 'secure' it in a crowded environment.

Nuance Difference: Unlike simply 'getting' (得る), 確保 implies overcoming a challenge or scarcity to maintain possession.

十分な睡眠時間を確保することが健康の秘訣です。

In personal life, people often talk about 時間を確保する (securing time). In our busy modern lives, finding time to study, exercise, or relax requires deliberate effort. By using 確保, the speaker acknowledges that time is a precious, scarce resource that must be actively protected from the demands of work and other obligations. Furthermore, in the realm of technology and infrastructure, 確保 is used to describe the maintenance of essential services. 通信手段を確保する means to secure a means of communication, which is vital during natural disasters when phone lines might be down.

災害時には、まず水と食料を確保しなければならない。

Disaster Preparedness: A common context for this word is survival and emergency planning, emphasizing the necessity of the secured item.

エネルギー源の確保は国家の重要課題だ。

At a national or global level, 確保 is used in geopolitical discussions, such as securing energy resources (エネルギーの確保) or food security (食料の確保). In all these instances, the underlying theme remains consistent: the deliberate, necessary action to guarantee that something essential is available and protected from loss or depletion. Understanding this word deeply enriches your ability to comprehend Japanese news, participate in business discussions, and express the importance of prioritizing resources in your daily life.

Using 確保 (kakuho) correctly involves understanding its grammatical function as a 'suru-verb' (noun + する) and the specific particles it typically pairs with. As a noun, 確保 represents the concept of securing or ensuring something. It can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. For example, in the phrase '安全の確保が最優先だ' (The securing of safety is the top priority), 確保 acts as the subject, modified by '安全の' (of safety).

Noun Usage: Used with the particle の to link the resource being secured to the word 確保.

資金の確保に努める。

However, it is most frequently encountered as a verb by attaching する (suru - to do). When used as a transitive verb, 確保する takes the object particle を (wo). The structure is almost always '[Resource/Item] を確保する'. This means 'to secure [Resource/Item]'. The resource can be anything from a physical space to an abstract concept.

会議室を確保しました。

When you want to express that something has been secured, or needs to be secured by someone (passive voice), you use 確保される (kakuho sareru). In this case, the particle changes to が (ga) or は (wa) because the resource becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

Passive Voice: [Resource] が確保される (The resource is secured).

全員の安全が確保されました。

Another common grammatical pattern is using 確保 to express purpose or intention, often paired with ために (tame ni - in order to). For example, '予算を確保するために、新しい提案書を作成した' (In order to secure the budget, I created a new proposal). This highlights the deliberate effort associated with the word.

利益を確保するため、コストを削減する。

You will also frequently see 確保 used in requests or commands, particularly in formal or emergency situations. The te-form 確保して (kakuho shite) followed by ください (kudasai - please) is standard. '安全を確保してください' (Please ensure your safety) is a phrase drilled into every resident of Japan for earthquake preparedness. In more advanced or formal writing, 確保 can be combined with other nouns to create compound terms. For example, 確保策 (kakuhosaku) means 'measures to secure something', and 確保量 (kakuho-ryou) means 'the secured amount'.

Compound Words: Adding suffixes like 策 (measure) or 量 (amount) creates specific administrative terms.

十分な在庫の確保が急務である。

When using 確保 in negative sentences, you simply conjugate the する verb to しない (shinai) or しません (shimasen). '時間が確保できない' (I cannot secure the time) is a polite and professional way to say you are too busy to do something, implying that despite your efforts, the resource (time) is unavailable. This is much softer and more professional than simply saying '時間がない' (I have no time). Mastering these grammatical structures and collocations will significantly elevate your Japanese, making you sound more articulate, responsible, and professional in both spoken and written contexts.

The word 確保 (kakuho) is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing across a wide spectrum of contexts from casual daily interactions to high-level corporate and governmental discourse. Understanding where and how it is used provides deep insight into Japanese culture, particularly its emphasis on preparedness, organization, and collective safety. One of the most common places you will hear 確保 is in the business world. Japanese corporate culture places a heavy emphasis on planning, consensus-building (nemawashi), and resource management.

Corporate Meetings: Used constantly when discussing budgets, personnel, and meeting spaces.

来年度の予算を確保するために、経営陣と交渉する。

In a typical office environment, you will hear colleagues talking about securing meeting rooms (会議室の確保), securing a budget for a new project (プロジェクト予算の確保), or securing the necessary staff (人員の確保). It is a word that conveys professional responsibility; a good employee is one who can successfully 'kakuho' the resources needed for their team to succeed. Beyond the office, 確保 is a staple of news broadcasts, especially concerning national and international affairs. Japan, being an island nation with limited natural resources, frequently discusses the securing of energy and food.

政府は安定したエネルギー供給の確保を目指している。

You will read headlines about 資源の確保 (securing resources) or ワクチンの確保 (securing vaccines) during a pandemic. In these contexts, the word carries the weight of national security and public welfare. Another critical area where 確保 is omnipresent is disaster preparedness and emergency response. Japan is prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, making safety protocols a part of daily life.

Emergency Broadcasts: The phrase '安全確保' (safety securing) is standard terminology during any crisis.

地震が発生した場合は、まず身の安全を確保してください。

During an earthquake warning, the immediate instruction is always '身の安全を確保してください' (Please secure your physical safety). Local governments constantly remind citizens to secure emergency food and water supplies (非常食と飲料水の確保) and to secure an evacuation route (避難経路の確保). In more casual, everyday situations, 確保 is used when dealing with crowds or limited availability. If you go to a popular cherry blossom viewing spot (hanami) or a fireworks festival, someone in your group usually has to go early to 'secure a spot' (場所を確保する).

花見の場所を確保するために、朝早くから公園に行った。

Similarly, if you are at a busy food court, one person might secure a table (席を確保する) while the others order food. Even in online spaces, you might hear about securing a username or securing a ticket for a highly anticipated concert before it sells out (チケットの確保).

Entertainment & Events: Used when buying tickets or reserving limited-edition items.

人気アイドルのコンサートチケットを確保するのは至難の業だ。

In all these diverse scenarios, from the boardroom to the park, from national news to personal schedules, 確保 consistently conveys the idea of taking proactive steps to guarantee that something necessary or desired is firmly in your possession or available for your use.

While 確保 (kakuho) is a highly useful word, Japanese learners often make mistakes by confusing it with other words that translate similarly into English, such as 'reserve,' 'guarantee,' or 'save.' Understanding the precise nuances and boundaries of 確保 is crucial for natural-sounding Japanese. One of the most frequent errors is confusing 確保 with 予約 (yoyaku), which means 'reservation' or 'appointment.'

確保 vs 予約: 予約 is a formal arrangement made in advance (like a hotel booking). 確保 is the physical or practical act of securing something, often on the spot or through effort.

❌ ホテルを確保した。(Unnatural unless you are a travel agency securing a block of rooms)
⭕ ホテルを予約した。(Correct for an individual booking a room)

If you call a restaurant to book a table for next week, you use 予約する. However, if you walk into a busy cafe and put your bag on a chair to claim it before ordering at the counter, you are using 確保する (席を確保する). Using 確保 for a standard hotel or flight booking sounds overly dramatic, as if you had to fight off competitors to claim the room. Another common mistake is confusing 確保 with 保証 (hoshou), which means 'guarantee' or 'warranty.'

❌ 製品の品質を確保する。(Usually unnatural, implies hoarding quality)
⭕ 製品の品質を保証する。(Correct: to guarantee the quality)

While you can 'ensure' safety (安全を確保する), you 'guarantee' a product's quality (品質を保証する) or someone's rights (権利を保障する). 確保 is about resources and physical states, not promises or legal warranties. Learners also sometimes confuse 確保 with 保存 (hozon), which means 'save' or 'preserve,' particularly in the context of computer files or food.

確保 vs 保存: 保存 is keeping something from degrading or being deleted. 確保 is making sure you have it in the first place.

❌ データを確保する。(Sounds like you are physically guarding a hard drive)
⭕ データを保存する。(Correct: to save data to a disk)

You save a document (保存), but you secure server space (サーバー容量を確保する). Furthermore, learners might misuse 確保 when talking about buying everyday items.

❌ スーパーで牛乳を確保した。(Too dramatic)
⭕ スーパーで牛乳を買った。(Correct: bought milk)

確保 implies scarcity or effort. Using it for mundane purchases sounds humorous or exaggerated. Finally, a grammatical mistake is using the wrong particle. It is always [Noun] を確保する, not [Noun] に確保する.

Particle Error: Ensure you use the direct object particle を when actively securing something.

❌ 時間に確保する。
⭕ 時間を確保する。

By paying attention to these distinctions—especially differentiating 確保 from 予約 (reservation), 保証 (guarantee), and 保存 (save)—you can avoid common pitfalls and use this powerful vocabulary word with native-like precision.

To truly master 確保 (kakuho), it is highly beneficial to study its synonyms and related terms. Japanese is a language rich in subtle distinctions, and choosing the exact right word for 'securing,' 'obtaining,' or 'maintaining' can significantly alter the tone and precision of your sentence. Let us explore several words that share semantic territory with 確保 and clarify their specific nuances. One of the most closely related words is 獲得 (kakutoku), which means 'acquisition,' 'possession,' or 'winning.'

確保 vs 獲得: 獲得 focuses on the initial act of getting or winning something, often through competition or effort. 確保 focuses on maintaining and holding onto it once you have it, or making sure it is available.

金メダルを獲得する。(To win a gold medal)

You 'kakutoku' a new client or a trophy, but you 'kakuho' a budget or a seat. Another similar term is 維持 (iji), meaning 'maintenance' or 'preservation.'

健康を維持するために運動する。(Exercise to maintain health)

While 確保 can mean maintaining a resource, 維持 is more about keeping a status quo or condition steady over time. You secure (確保) a certain number of staff, but you maintain (維持) their motivation levels. Then there is 保全 (hozen), which translates to 'preservation' or 'conservation,' often used in environmental or legal contexts.

確保 vs 保全: 保全 is protecting something from destruction or loss, usually something that already exists naturally or legally.

自然環境の保全に努める。(Strive for the conservation of the natural environment)

You secure (確保) land for a new building, but you conserve (保全) a forest. Another useful word is 用意 (youi), meaning 'preparation' or 'arrangements.'

会議の資料を用意する。(Prepare documents for the meeting)

You prepare (用意) the documents, but you secure (確保) the meeting room. Finally, consider 占有 (sen'yuu), which means 'exclusive possession' or 'occupancy.'

確保 vs 占有: 占有 has a stronger, sometimes negative connotation of monopolizing or exclusively holding something, whereas 確保 is usually neutral or positive (ensuring necessary availability).

公共の場所を不法に占有する。(Illegally occupy a public space)

By comparing 確保 with 獲得 (acquire), 維持 (maintain state), 保全 (conserve), 用意 (prepare), and 占有 (occupy), you can see that 確保 uniquely balances the act of obtaining with the necessity of maintaining availability, making it an indispensable tool in your Japanese vocabulary arsenal.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Noun + を + する (Transitive action)

Noun + が + される (Passive state)

〜ために (Purpose)

〜ておく (Preparation)

〜必要がある (Necessity)

Examples by Level

席を確保します。

I will secure a seat.

Noun + を + します (polite verb)

場所を確保して。

Secure a place (for us).

Te-form used as a casual request.

安全を確保する。

To secure safety.

Basic dictionary form.

時間を確保する。

To secure time.

Direct object with を.

水と食料を確保する。

To secure water and food.

Multiple nouns joined by と.

ここで席を確保しないでください。

Please do not secure seats here.

Negative request form: ないでください.

チケットを確保しました。

I secured the tickets.

Past tense polite form: しました.

部屋を確保したいです。

I want to secure a room.

Desire form: したいです.

花見の場所を確保するために、早く起きました。

I woke up early in order to secure a spot for cherry blossom viewing.

Verb + ために (in order to).

会議室が確保できませんでした。

I couldn't secure the meeting room.

Potential negative past polite form: できませんでした.

まずは、自分の安全を確保してください。

First, please secure your own safety.

Polite request: してください.

勉強の時間を確保するのは難しいです。

It is difficult to secure time for studying.

Nominalization with の + は難しい.

駐車場を確保しておきます。

I will secure a parking space in advance.

Te-form + おく (to do something in advance).

全員の席が確保されています。

Seats for everyone have been secured.

Passive state: されています.

どうやって予算を確保しますか？

How will you secure the budget?

Question word どうやって + polite verb.

ホテルを確保したほうがいいですよ。

You had better secure a hotel.

Advice form: たほうがいい.

来年度のプロジェクトのために、十分な予算を確保する必要があります。

It is necessary to secure a sufficient budget for next year's project.

Verb dictionary form + 必要があります (it is necessary to).

優秀な人材を確保することが、企業の成長に繋がります。

Securing excellent human resources leads to the company's growth.

Nominalization with こと acting as the subject.

災害時に備えて、最低でも3日分の食料を確保しておくべきだ。

In preparation for a disaster, you should secure at least 3 days' worth of food.

Te-form + おくべきだ (should do in advance).

利益を確保しつつ、品質を維持するのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to maintain quality while securing profits.

Verb stem + つつ (while doing).

警察は、事件の重要な証拠を確保したと発表した。

The police announced that they had secured important evidence for the case.

Quotation particle と + 発表した (announced that).

睡眠時間をしっかり確保しないと、体調を崩してしまいますよ。

If you don't secure enough sleep time, you will end up ruining your health.

Negative conditional ないと + てしまう (negative consequence).

安定したエネルギーの確保は、日本にとって大きな課題です。

Securing stable energy is a major challenge for Japan.

Noun modifier 安定した + Noun の確保.

通信手段が確保でき次第、すぐにご連絡いたします。

As soon as we can secure a means of communication, we will contact you immediately.

Verb stem + 次第 (as soon as).

新規事業の立ち上げに伴い、早急に開発拠点を確保せねばならない。

Along with the launch of the new business, we must urgently secure a development base.

に伴い (along with) + せねばならない (must do).

政府は、ワクチンの必要量を確保するための交渉を急いでいる。

The government is hurrying negotiations to secure the necessary amount of vaccines.

Noun + のための + Noun (negotiations for the purpose of).

プライバシーの確保を前提としたシステム設計が求められている。

A system design predicated on the securing of privacy is required.

Noun + を前提とした (predicated on/assuming).

資金確保の目処が立ったため、計画を次の段階へ進める。

Since the prospect of securing funds has been established, we will advance the plan to the next stage.

Noun + の目処が立つ (prospects are established) + ため (because).

いかなる状況下でも、従業員の安全確保を最優先事項とする。

Under any circumstances, the securing of employee safety will be the top priority.

いかなる〜でも (under any) + を〜とする (make A into B).

顧客の信頼を確保し続けることが、長期的な成功の鍵である。

Continuing to secure the trust of customers is the key to long-term success.

Verb stem + 続ける (continue to do).

十分な採光を確保できるよう、窓の配置が工夫されている。

The placement of the windows has been devised so that sufficient natural light can be secured.

Potential verb + できるよう (so that one can).

競争力を維持するには、独自の技術力の確保が不可欠だ。

To maintain competitiveness, securing unique technological capabilities is essential.

Noun + には (in order to) + 不可欠だ (is essential).

グローバルサプライチェーンの脆弱性が露呈する中、重要物資の国内での確保が急務となっている。

As the vulnerabilities of the global supply chain are exposed, securing critical materials domestically has become an urgent task.

〜が露呈する中 (while ~ is exposed) + 急務となっている (has become an urgent task).

財源の確保策を明示しないままの政策発表は、有権者の不信感を招きかねない。

Announcing a policy without clearly indicating measures to secure financial resources could invite distrust from voters.

〜ないままの (without doing ~) + かねない (might/could result in).

多様な働き方を推進する上で、テレワーク環境のセキュリティ確保は避けて通れない課題である。

In promoting diverse work styles, securing the security of the telework environment is an unavoidable issue.

〜する上で (in the process of doing ~) + 避けて通れない (unavoidable).

少数派の権利確保に向けた法整備が、国際社会から強く求められている。

The development of laws aimed at securing the rights of minorities is strongly demanded by the international community.

Noun + に向けた (aimed at) + 求められている (is demanded).

企業買収において、優秀な経営陣の確保は、シナジー効果を最大化するための絶対条件である。

In corporate acquisitions, securing an excellent management team is an absolute condition for maximizing synergy effects.

〜において (in/during) + 絶対条件である (is an absolute condition).

食料安全保障の観点から、自給率の向上と輸入ルートの多角的な確保が並行して進められるべきだ。

From the perspective of food security, improving the self-sufficiency rate and the multifaceted securing of import routes should be advanced in parallel.

〜の観点から (from the perspective of) + べきだ (should).

研究開発費を恒常的に確保できる体制を構築しなければ、技術革新の波に取り残されるだろう。

Unless we build a system that can permanently secure research and development funds, we will likely be left behind by the wave of technological innovation.

〜なければ (unless) + 取り残されるだろう (will be left behind).

自然災害の激甚化を踏まえ、広域的な避難所の確保と運営マニュアルの見直しが急がれる。

Given the increasing severity of natural disasters, the securing of wide-area evacuation shelters and the revision of operation manuals are urgently needed.

〜を踏まえ (based on/given) + 急がれる (is urgently needed).

地政学的リスクが高まる昨今、シーレーンの安全確保は一国の経済的存立基盤そのものを左右する。

In recent times, as geopolitical risks rise, securing the safety of sea lanes dictates the very foundation of a nation's economic existence.

〜そのものを左右する (dictates/influences the very thing itself).

当該法案の成立には、与野党を超えた幅広い賛同の確保が不可欠であり、緻密な根回しが要求される。

For the passage of the bill in question, securing broad approval across ruling and opposition parties is essential, requiring meticulous groundwork.

〜を超えた (transcending/across) + 不可欠であり (is essential, and).

人工知能の急速な普及に伴い、倫理的ガイドラインの遵守を担保するための制度的枠組みの確保が急務である。

With the rapid spread of artificial intelligence, securing an institutional framework to guarantee compliance with ethical guidelines is an urgent task.

〜を担保するための (for the purpose of guaranteeing ~).

歴史的建造物の保全と活用を両立させるためには、維持管理費の永続的な確保スキームの確立が待たれる。

In order to balance the preservation and utilization of historical buildings, the establishment of a scheme for the permanent securing of maintenance and management costs is awaited.

〜を両立させる (to balance/achieve both) + 待たれる (is awaited).

少子高齢化社会において、社会保障制度の持続可能性を確保することは、現役世代への過度な負担転嫁を避ける上で至上命題である。

In a society with a declining birthrate and aging population, securing the sustainability of the social security system is a supreme imperative to avoid shifting an excessive burden onto the working generation.

〜上で至上命題である (is a supreme imperative in doing ~).

企業のガバナンス改革は、単なる形式要件の充足にとどまらず、実効性のある監査体制の確保にまで踏み込むべきである。

Corporate governance reform should not stop at merely satisfying formal requirements, but should step into securing a highly effective auditing system.

〜にとどまらず、〜にまで踏み込む (not stopping at ~, but stepping into ~).

パンデミック下における医療崩壊を防ぐための病床確保は、平時からの周到なシミュレーションと法整備の賜物でなければならない。

The securing of hospital beds to prevent medical collapse during a pandemic must be the fruit of meticulous simulation and legal preparation from peacetime.

〜の賜物でなければならない (must be the fruit/result of ~).

脱炭素社会の実現に向けたトランジション期間において、移行期のエネルギー安定確保と環境負荷低減の最適解を見出すことが求められる。

During the transition period toward realizing a decarbonized society, finding the optimal solution between securing stable energy during the transition and reducing environmental impact is required.

〜の最適解を見出す (to find the optimal solution for ~).

Synonyms

維持保持保障獲得死守

Antonyms

喪失紛失

Common Collocations

安全を確保する

予算を確保する

時間を確保する

人材を確保する

席を確保する

場所を確保する

利益を確保する

睡眠時間を確保する

資源を確保する

通信を確保する

Common Phrases

安全確保

予算の確保

人材確保

場所取りと確保

十分な確保

確保に努める

確保が急務

確保を優先する

確保が困難

確保に向けて

Often Confused With

確保 vs 予約 (Reservation - advance booking vs physical securing)

確保 vs 保証 (Guarantee - promise of quality vs securing a resource)

確保 vs 保存 (Save - preventing degradation vs obtaining availability)

Idioms & Expressions

"足場を確保する"

"退路を確保する"

"既得権益の確保"

"ライフラインの確保"

"主導権を確保する"

"生存権の確保"

"情報源の確保"

"販路の確保"

"財源の確保"

"人員確保に奔走する"

Easily Confused

確保 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

Focuses on the necessity and effort of maintaining the resource.

formality

Appropriate for all formal and business contexts. Slightly stiff for very casual conversation unless used playfully (like securing a spot at a party).

Common Mistakes

Using 確保 (kakuho) instead of 予約 (yoyaku) for standard hotel or restaurant reservations.
Using 確保 (kakuho) instead of 保証 (hoshou) to mean 'guaranteeing' a product's quality.
Using 確保 (kakuho) instead of 保存 (hozon) when talking about saving computer files or food.
Using the particle に instead of を when actively securing something (e.g., saying 時間に確保する instead of 時間を確保する).
Using 確保 for mundane, everyday purchases without any scarcity (e.g., saying 牛乳を確保した instead of 牛乳を買った).

Tips

Business Essential

Always use 確保 instead of 取る when talking about budgets, meeting rooms, or personnel in a professional setting. It shows competence.

Hanami Tradition

The act of '場所取り' (spot taking) for cherry blossom viewing is a classic example of 確保 in Japanese culture. It requires arriving very early.

Disaster Phrase

Memorize '安全を確保してください' (Please secure your safety). It is the most important phrase you will hear during an earthquake.

Passive Voice

Get comfortable with the passive form '確保される'. News reports use this constantly to describe situations objectively.

Not a Guarantee

Remember that 確保 is about resources, not promises. Don't use it to translate 'guarantee' when talking about product warranties.

Securing Time

'時間を確保する' is a fantastic phrase to use when you want to sound mature about managing your busy schedule.

Compound Words

Look out for compound words like 確保策 (measures to secure) in advanced reading materials. They are very common in the JLPT N2 and N1.

Train Announcements

If a train stops, listen for '安全確認' (safety check) and '安全確保' (securing safety). They explain why you are delayed.

Essay Power Word

Using 確保 in an essay about social issues (e.g., securing energy, securing rights) instantly elevates your writing level.

Avoid for Hotels

Never use 確保 for booking a single hotel room or a flight for yourself. Stick to 予約 (yoyaku) to avoid sounding strange.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a COCKATOO (kaku) holding a HOE (ho) to SECURE its garden from intruders.

Word Origin

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Implies responsibility and effort. Using it shows you take the matter seriously.

Standard/Formal

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"どうやって勉強の時間を確保していますか？"

"お花見の場所、誰が確保する？"

"来年の予算は確保できそうですか？"

"災害時の水は確保してありますか？"

"人気のレストラン、席を確保できた？"

Journal Prompts

What is something you struggle to 'kakuho' (secure) in your daily life (e.g., time, sleep)?

Write about a time you had to 'kakuho' a spot for an event.

How does your company or school 'kakuho' its resources?

Describe your emergency preparedness plan (anzen kakuho).

What measures do you take to 'kakuho' your health?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually, no. You should use 予約 (yoyaku) for standard reservations like hotels, flights, or restaurants. 確保 is used when you physically claim a space (like putting a bag on a chair) or when a travel agency secures a block of rooms for a tour.

獲得 (kakutoku) focuses on the initial act of winning or acquiring something, often through competition (like a medal or a client). 確保 focuses on securing and maintaining a resource so it is available for use (like a budget or safety).

The standard phrase is 安全を確保する (anzen o kakuho suru). You will hear this constantly during emergency drills or natural disasters in Japan.

It is standard to formal. It is highly appropriate for business and news. In casual conversation, people might just use 取る (toru - to take), but 確保 is still used casually when talking about claiming a spot at a park or a table.

No, for saving data or files, you must use 保存 (hozon). However, you can use 確保 to talk about securing server space or memory capacity (容量を確保する).

When used actively, it takes を (e.g., 時間を確保する). When used passively to describe a state, it takes が (e.g., 安全が確保されている).

It is excellent for business. You can say '会議室を確保いたしました' (I have secured the meeting room) or '来期の予算を確保するよう努めます' (I will strive to secure the budget for next term).

人材確保 (jinzai kakuho) means 'securing human resources.' It is a common business term referring to the recruitment and retention of good employees.

Yes, in police terminology and news, 容疑者を確保する (securing the suspect) is used to mean the police have physically detained or captured the suspect.

You can say '時間が確保できませんでした' (Jikan ga kakuho dekimasen deshita). This is a very polite and professional way to apologize for being too busy.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate: 'Please secure your safety.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

安全を確保してください。