How to say "initiative" in Japanese

• 取り組みとりくみCommon
  nounCovers an effort or undertaking to deal with a problem or task; an initiative in the sense of a campaign or program one grapples with. Typical of business, government, or organizational projects.
  社長しゃちょうが社員しゃいんの主体的しゅたいてきな取り組とりくみを促うながした。↗

  The president urged employees to act on their initiative.
• 主導しゅどうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbInitiative in the sense of leadership or taking the lead in driving something forward. Use when someone spearheads a project or plans and directs others' action, as in taking the initiative in negotiations.
• 先制せんせいCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveInitiative as acting first to preempt an opponent; a head start in competition. Most natural in sports and contests, as in scoring first or striking before the other side moves.
  先制せんせいの一撃いちげきをすれば半分はんぶん勝かったようなものだ。↗

  The first blow is half the battle.
• 先鞭せんべんCommon
  nounInitiative in the sense of pioneering — being the first to undertake or attempt something new. Used with the nuance of blazing a trail that others follow, often in written or formal discussion.
• 先議せんぎCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbInitiative as prior consideration — taking up a matter for discussion before anything else. This is chiefly a deliberative or parliamentary term, and is seldom the word you want for initiative in everyday senses.

Choose by sense: 「取り組み」 for an effort or undertaking, 主導 for taking the lead, 先制 for acting first (often sports), and 先鞭 or 先議 for being the first to address something, the latter mainly in deliberative contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 取り組みとりくみeffort
• 主導しゅどうleadership
• 先制せんせいhead start
• 先鞭せんべんinitiative
• 先議せんぎinitiative
• 主導権しゅどうけんhegemony
• 発議はつぎproposal
• イニシアティブinitiative
• 積極性せっきょくせいassertiveness
• 主体性しゅたいせいindependence of will or action
• 試みこころみendeavour (endeavor)
• 先手せんてforestalling