Japanese word

利権

Pronunciation

Romajiriken

Meaning

  • nounvested interest

Example

その政治家は古い利権を守ります。so no sei ji ka wa furu i ri ken o mamo ri ma su

That politician protects an old vested interest.

Illustration for 利権 (vested interest)

More examples

彼は公共事業の利権を手放そうとしません。kare wa kō kyō ji gyō no ri ken o te bana sō to shi ma se n

He refuses to give up his vested interest in public works.

Core concept

Centers on an established right or advantage that someone has a strong reason to preserve.

Common phrases

  • 利権を守るri ken o mamo ru

    protect vested interests

  • 利権を握るri ken o nigi ru

    control vested interests

  • 利権を手放すri ken o te bana su

    give up vested interests

Similar words

既得権益kitokukeneki: A right or benefit already held and defended against change.
特権tokken: A special right or advantage that a person or group receives by status or rule.
権益keneki: Rights and benefits associated with a particular business, field, or resource.

Definition in Japanese

特定の者が、既得の権利や利益によって得ている有利な立場。toku tei no mono ga ki toku no ken ri ya ri eki ni yo tte e te i ru yū ri na tachi ba

Word origin

利権 (riken) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 利 (ri, "benefit") and 権 (ken, "right or authority").

Usage tips

  • In English, vested interest can describe a neutral stake in keeping an existing arrangement, while 利権 (riken) often suggests a special benefit viewed as unfair.

Other meanings

  • concessionnoun
  • privilegenoun

Opposites

  • 公益kōekipublic interestnoun

Related words

  • 利権屋rikenyavested-interest profiteernoun

Word lists with this word