措置を講じる

You use this phrase when the situation is serious. It often appears in business reports or news broadcasts. You combine the noun 措置 (measure/step) with the verb 講じる (to devise/take). Note that 講じる is a sophisticated verb. It makes you sound very educated. You will often see it with adjectives like 適切な (appropriate) or 緊急の (emergency). It’s like putting on a suit for your sentences.

Use it in a professional meeting. Use it when writing a formal email to a client. It’s perfect for discussing security, safety, or legal issues. If you are a manager, this is your go-to phrase. It shows you are taking responsibility. You might also hear it on the news. The government 'takes measures' against inflation. A company 'takes measures' after a data leak. It provides a sense of security and order.

Do not use this for small, personal tasks. Don't tell your friend you'll 'take measures' to buy eggs. That sounds like you're launching a government operation for groceries! Avoid it in casual texts or at parties. It is too stiff for a relaxed atmosphere. If you use it while grabbing drinks, your friends might think you're joking. Or they might think you've spent too much time in the office.

Japan has a deep culture of 'risk management' or kiki kanri. Public accountability is a huge deal. When something goes wrong, people expect a formal response. Using 措置を講じる signals that the person in charge is serious. It’s a linguistic way of bowing and saying, 'We are handling this.' It reflects the Japanese value of procedural correctness. It’s about restoring harmony through planned action.

You will often hear 対策を講じる (take countermeasures). This is very similar but focuses on fighting a specific threat. Another one is 必要な措置を講じる (take necessary measures). This is the ultimate 'cover-your-back' phrase. It’s vague but sounds very authoritative. If you want to sound even more urgent, use 即刻措置を講じる (take measures immediately). Just be ready to actually do the work!