Translation guide
The act of illegally seizing control of a vehicle, aircraft, or digital system. In Japanese, the term varies depending on the target: aircraft, ship, vehicle, or digital account/device.
To illegally take control of an airplane, typically by force or threat.
The most common and direct loanword for hijacking, especially of aircraft. Used as both noun and suru-verb.
その飛行機はハイジャックされた。
The airplane was hijacked.
A more formal or descriptive term meaning 'aircraft seizure'. Often used in news reports.
航空機乗っ取り事件が発生した。
An aircraft hijacking incident occurred.
An older or less common term specifically for aircraft hijacking. May be understood but not widely used today.
スカイジャック防止策が強化された。
Anti-skyjacking measures were strengthened.
To illegally seize control of a ship, often for ransom or theft.
Literally 'act of piracy'. The standard term for hijacking ships at sea.
ソマリア沖で海賊行為が多発している。
Piracy is frequent off the coast of Somalia.
A more direct translation: 'ship seizure'. Used when emphasizing the act of taking control.
船舶乗っ取りの被害が報告された。
A ship hijacking incident was reported.
A loanword from English 'seajack', less common than 海賊行為.
シージャック事件がニュースになった。
A seajacking incident made the news.
To steal a vehicle by force or threat, often with the driver present.
The standard loanword for carjacking. Used as a noun or suru-verb.
駐車場でカージャックに遭った。
I was carjacked in the parking lot.
A formal term for vehicle seizure, used in news or legal contexts.
車両乗っ取りの容疑者が逮捕された。
The suspect in the vehicle hijacking was arrested.
To gain unauthorized control of an online account, computer, or digital system.
The general term for 'takeover' or 'hijacking' in digital contexts. Often combined with the target (e.g., アカウント乗っ取り).
アカウントが乗っ取られた。
My account was hijacked.
Also used for digital hijacking, though 乗っ取り is more common in this context.
ハイジャック is primarily associated with aircraft, while 乗っ取り is a broader term for any kind of takeover, including digital. For ships, 海賊行為 (piracy) is the natural choice.
飛行機がハイジャックされた。
The plane was hijacked.
アカウントが乗っ取られた。
The account was hijacked.
セッションがハイジャックされた。
The session was hijacked.
Means 'unauthorized access'. Often used in legal or technical contexts, but implies hijacking when control is taken.
不正アクセスにより個人情報が流出した。
Personal information was leaked due to unauthorized access.