Translation guide
To take strong action to stop or reduce something, especially illegal or undesirable behavior. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs and set phrases that convey strict enforcement, suppression, or a clampdown.
To describe official, often public, actions to suppress illegal activities or rule-breaking.
Literally 'strengthen control/regulation'. A common, neutral way to say authorities are cracking down on something.
警察は違法駐車の取り締まりを強化している。
The police are cracking down on illegal parking.
'To strictly regulate/crack down on'. Emphasizes severity. Often used in news reports.
政府は脱税を厳しく取り締まる方針だ。
The government plans to crack down on tax evasion.
'To suppress/oppress'. Implies a heavy-handed crackdown, often by authorities on dissent or political activity. Can carry a negative connotation.
政権は反対派を弾圧している。
The regime is cracking down on the opposition.
Literally 'tighten the screws'. Metaphorical expression for increasing pressure or control, often used in economic or regulatory contexts.
金融庁は不正取引への締め付けを強めている。
The Financial Services Agency is cracking down on fraudulent transactions.
When a person or group takes strict measures to stop certain actions within their domain.
A flexible pattern meaning 'to make ~ stricter'. Replace 〜 with the rule or area being tightened.
会社は経費のルールを厳しくした。
The company cracked down on expense rules.
'To deal strictly with ~'. Emphasizes taking action against specific violations.
学校はいじめに厳しく対処すると発表した。
The school announced it would crack down on bullying.
A single verb meaning 'to control/regulate/crack down on'. Can be used without an intensifier, but often paired with adverbs like 厳しく.
To emphasize a swift and forceful crackdown, often as a campaign.
'Simultaneous crackdown/raid'. Used for coordinated police operations targeting a specific crime.
警察は繁華街で一斉取り締まりを行った。
The police conducted a crackdown in the entertainment district.
'Eradication campaign'. Implies a thorough, often public, effort to wipe out something undesirable.
市は違法広告の撲滅運動を始めた。
The city started a crackdown on illegal advertisements.
取り締まり (torishimari) is a neutral term for regulation and control, often used for law enforcement. 弾圧 (dan'atsu) implies oppression and is used for political or human rights contexts. Avoid 弾圧 when simply talking about enforcing rules.
交通違反の取り締まりは厳しい。
Traffic law enforcement is strict.
言論の弾圧は許されない。
Suppression of speech is unacceptable.
There is no direct Japanese verb that matches 'crack down on' in all contexts. Using 割る (waru, 'to crack') or 下る (kudaru, 'down') would be nonsensical. Always use the phrases provided.
教師はカンニングを取り締まっている。
The teacher is cracking down on cheating.