How to say "reformation" in Japanese

• 改革かいかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe usual word for reformation as deliberate, structural change meant to improve a system, institution, or organization — political, economic, or administrative reform. It presents the change as purposeful improvement.
  「冬ふゆの時代じだい」が大学だいがく改革かいかくの起爆剤きばくざいとなってくれればと思おもう。↗

  So-called "winter time" is expected to enhance the college reform.
• 維新いしんCommon
  nounCovers reformation as sweeping, historic-scale renewal — a near-revolutionary overhaul of a nation. It is strongly associated with 明治維新, the Meiji Restoration, and is not the ordinary word for reforming institutions.
• 改新かいしんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbSeldom the word you want for reformation: outside the historical name 大化の改新, the seventh-century Taika Reform, it is rarely used on its own. For reforming a system, 改革 is the natural choice.
• 再生さいせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTakes reformation as renewal or rehabilitation — restoring life and vitality to something run down, or giving a person a fresh start. Think of reviving a failing enterprise rather than restructuring it.

Use 改革 for reforming systems and institutions, 維新 for sweeping historic national renewal, 再生 for revival or rehabilitation, and 改新 chiefly in the historical name 大化の改新.

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

• 改革かいかくreform
• 維新いしんreformation
• 改新かいしんreformation
• 体質改善たいしつかいぜんimprovement of one's constitution
• 改悟かいごreform
• 再生さいせいreformation