Jisshi (実施) is a fundamental term in the Japanese business lexicon that refers to the formal implementation, execution, or carrying out of a plan, project, or policy. Unlike general actions, ‘jisshi’ carries a nuance of gravity and official standing, often used for tasks that have been officially sanctioned or scheduled.
At its core, jisshi combines the kanji jitsu (truth/reality) and shi (conduct/performance). When you state that something is being ‘jisshi-sareta,’ you are indicating that a transition from the theoretical planning phase to the tangible, reality-based phase has occurred. In a corporate environment, this is the bridge between a meeting room strategy and a market reality.
Etymology and Nuance
Historically, the term was reserved for formal legal or government procedures. Over time, it permeated the corporate world to describe the ‘enactment’ of business policies. It is distinct from jikkou (execution/carrying out), which often focuses on the act of doing something, whereas jisshi implies an official program or a scheduled event is underway.
Pro-Tips for Usage:
- Use it for formal events: Always use jisshi when referring to surveys, seminars, or legal revisions (e.g., Ankeeto wo jisshi suru – conducting a survey).
- Match with ‘scheduled’: It pairs naturally with yotei. Saying ‘jisshi-yotei’ tells your team that the execution is officially on the calendar.
- Avoid overusing: Do not use it for mundane, daily habits. For drinking your morning coffee, use okonau or just the verb itself; reserve jisshi for projects that required approval.
Dialogue Scenarios
Manager: “Project Alpha is approved. When do we start the official rollout?”
Staff: “Jisshi is scheduled for next Monday morning, sir.”
Client: “Will you be conducting market research before the launch?”
Business Partner: “Yes, we have a focus group jisshi-yotei in the coming month.”
Employee: “We noticed a discrepancy in the new safety protocols.”
Supervisor: “The safety drill jisshi must be postponed until we rectify that.”
Consultant: “The policy update has been finalized by headquarters.”
Lead: “Great, let’s begin the jisshi phase by tomorrow.”
Cultural Context and Common Mistakes
A common error among non-native professionals is interchanging jisshi with jikkou. Remember that jikkou implies power or force behind the action (executing a command), whereas jisshi implies a systematic process or a policy implementation. If you are launching a product, jisshi is perfect. If you are carrying out a specific, forceful directive from a superior, consider jikkou instead.
Furthermore, in Japan, the ‘jisshi’ phase is treated with high reverence. It is not just doing the work; it is demonstrating that the planning phase (the shinkouchuu phase) was successful. When you say a project is in jisshi, you are signaling to stakeholders that the project is now irreversible and fully operational.
By understanding the precise weight of jisshi, you align yourself with the professional expectation of structured, reliable progress within a Japanese organization.
For further reading on maintaining momentum during these phases, check out our guides on What Does ‘Shinkouchuu’ Mean? and the art of staying on track with What Does ‘Sassoku’ Mean? to ensure your execution is both formal and swift.
