Proverb / Kotowaza
遠交近攻
A strategic policy of forming alliances with distant parties while taking aggressive action against immediate neighbors.
Befriend the distant and attack the near
Quick Answer
A strategic policy of forming alliances with distant parties while taking aggressive action against immediate neighbors.
- Literal Image
- Befriend the distant and attack the near
- How to Use It
- Used when discussing international diplomacy, corporate competition, or any strategic planning where one seeks allies at a distance to pressure or defeat nearby rivals.
Meaning
This expression describes a diplomatic or military strategy of befriending countries far away to prevent them from interfering while expanding territory by attacking adjacent states. Originally a tactic from ancient China, it is now used to describe any situation, such as in business, where one collaborates with remote entities to gain an advantage over local competitors.
Literal Image
Befriend the distant and attack the near
How to Use It
Used when discussing international diplomacy, corporate competition, or any strategic planning where one seeks allies at a distance to pressure or defeat nearby rivals.
Tone
Formal and strategic register.
Examples
近隣の競合を叩きながら、遠方の企業と提携する。典型的な遠交近攻の戦略だ。
Forming alliances with distant companies while putting pressure on local competitors is a classic 'enkou kinkou' strategy.
外交において遠交近攻は古くからある基本戦略の一つである。
In diplomacy, 'enkou kinkou' has long been one of the fundamental strategies.
隣国との対立を続けながら遠くの大国と同盟を結ぶのは、遠交近攻の策だ。
Maintaining conflict with neighboring countries while forming an alliance with a distant superpower is a 'enkou kinkou' tactic.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
This is a four-character idiomatic compound (yojijukugo) involving historical and strategic vocabulary.
遠
えん / en
distant
交
こう / kou
friendship; association
近
きん / kin
near
攻
こう / kou
attack
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a calculated strategy and may sound aggressive or cold depending on the context.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for simple social relationships; it specifically refers to calculated, competitive strategy.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.