自粛警察
jishuku keisatsuA group of online vigilantes who publicly shame or harass people for violating social distancing or other public health guidelines, often based on unverified information.
自粛警察がレストランの写真をSNSに投稿し、客が密集していると非難した
The self-restraint police posted a photo of a restaurant on social media and condemned the customers for crowding together
This term emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, where some individuals took it upon themselves to monitor and report perceived violations of public health measures.
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Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
This term is almost always used in a critical or negative context, highlighting the tension between public health and personal freedom.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Do not use this term to describe official government enforcement; it specifically refers to unofficial online vigilantes.
📖Word Origin
From 自粛 (jishuku, 'self-restraint') + 警察 (keisatsu, 'police'). The term combines the idea of voluntary social distancing with the concept of enforcement.
📝Usage Notes
This term is often used critically to describe overzealous or judgmental behavior online. It reflects broader societal tensions around public health measures and individual freedoms.