問題を解決する vs. 課題に取り組む: What’s the Difference in Japanese?

Introduction

If you study Japanese at the JLPT N3–N2 level, you will often see expressions such as 問題を解決する and 課題に取り組む.

At first, they may seem very similar. Both are used when someone is trying to improve a situation or deal with something difficult.

However, they focus on different things.

The key difference is simple:

Is the goal to eliminate an existing problem?

Or is someone working on something that needs improvement?

Once you understand this distinction, these expressions become much easier to use naturally.

The Short Answer

問題を解決する (mondai o kaiketsu suru) means to solve a problem and remove a troublesome situation.

課題に取り組む (kadai ni torikumu) means to work on a challenge, issue, or task in order to improve something or achieve a goal.

A useful way to remember the difference is:

• 問題を解決する → solve something that is causing trouble
• 課題に取り組む → actively work toward improvement or a goal

There is another important difference.

解決する focuses strongly on the result.

取り組む focuses more on the process and effort.

Understanding 問題を解決する

What does 問題 mean?

問題 (mondai / problem) often refers to something that is already causing trouble or preventing a normal situation.

For example:

• A computer is not working.
• A delivery has not arrived.
• A system has an error.
• Two people are having a serious disagreement.

When you remove the cause of the trouble and restore the situation, you can use:

問題を解決する
mondai o kaiketsu suru
to solve a problem

You can imagine it as moving from a negative situation back to normal.

Understanding 課題に取り組む

課題 (kadai / challenge, issue, task) does not always mean that something is currently going wrong.

It often refers to something that needs to be improved, developed, or achieved.

For example:

• increasing sales
• improving students’ Japanese ability
• reducing costs
• reducing environmental impact
• improving service quality

When someone actively works toward such an improvement, Japanese often uses:

課題に取り組む
kadai ni torikumu
to work on a challenge or issue

Importantly, 課題に取り組む does not mean that the challenge has already been solved.

It describes the effort being made toward it.

When Is 問題を解決する Used?

問題を解決する is commonly used when there is a recognizable problem and the goal is to remove it.

You may encounter expressions such as:

• パソコンの問題を解決する
  solve a computer problem

• システム上の問題を解決する
  solve a system-related problem

• 人間関係の問題を解決する
  resolve an interpersonal problem

• 交通渋滞の問題を解決する
  solve the problem of traffic congestion

• トラブルを話し合いで解決する
  resolve a dispute through discussion

The basic pattern is:

問題がある → 原因を調べる → 解決する

There is a problem → investigate the cause → solve it

This expression is common in everyday conversation, business Japanese, news reports, and JLPT reading passages.

When Is 課題に取り組む Used?

課題に取り組む is especially common in business, education, government, research, and formal writing.

It is often used when talking about what should be improved in the future.

Common combinations include:

• 経営課題に取り組む
  work on management challenges

• 少子高齢化という課題に取り組む
  address the challenge of the declining birthrate and aging population

• 環境問題という課題に取り組む
  work on environmental challenges

• 学力向上の課題に取り組む
  work on improving academic performance

• 業務効率化に向けた課題に取り組む
  work on challenges related to improving operational efficiency

You will often see this type of expression in company reports, newspaper articles, and JLPT N2 reading passages.

Example Sentences with 問題を解決する

Example 1

システムに発生した問題を解決しました。

We solved the problem that occurred in the system.

The sentence suggests that there was a specific system problem and that it has now been fixed.

The focus is on the result.

Example 2

話し合いによって、二人の間の問題を解決することができました。

We were able to resolve the problem between the two people through discussion.

There was a conflict or difficult situation between them, and discussion helped bring it to an end.

Example 3

この問題を解決するには、原因を詳しく調べる必要があります。

To solve this problem, we need to investigate the cause carefully.

The problem still exists, but the goal is to eliminate it.

問題 and 原因 are often used together because solving a problem frequently requires finding its cause.

Example 4

お客様から指摘された配送の問題をすぐに解決しました。

We quickly resolved the delivery problem pointed out by the customer.

This is a natural expression in business Japanese.

A delivery problem occurred, action was taken, and the situation was corrected.

Example Sentences with 課題に取り組む

Example 1

会社は業務効率化という課題に取り組んでいます。

The company is working on the challenge of improving operational efficiency.

The company is currently making improvements.

The sentence does not suggest that the challenge has already been completely solved.

Example 2

日本では、少子高齢化という大きな課題に取り組む必要があります。

Japan needs to address the major challenge of its declining birthrate and aging population.

This is a large, long-term social challenge.

取り組む is natural because the focus is on continuing efforts rather than an immediate solution.

Example 3

私は日本語の聴解力を上げるという課題に取り組んでいます。

I am working on the challenge of improving my Japanese listening ability.

Here, 課題 refers to an area that the speaker wants to improve.

取り組んでいます shows that the effort is currently in progress.

Example 4

チーム全体で新しい課題に取り組むことになりました。

The entire team has decided to work on a new challenge.

The team is beginning to work toward an objective.

No final result has been achieved yet.

The Difference Between 問題 and 課題

Understanding the nouns themselves can make the distinction much clearer.

問題 often has the feeling of:

「このままでは困ること」

something that will cause trouble if it continues

課題 often has the feeling of:

「これから改善したり達成したりする必要があること」

something that needs to be improved or achieved from now on

For example:

サーバーが停止した。

The server has stopped working.

This is clearly a 問題.

Once it is repaired, you can say:

サーバーの問題を解決しました。

We solved the server problem.

Now imagine that a website is working normally, but you want to make it easier to use.

That is not necessarily a serious problem. It is something that could be improved.

In that situation, you might say:

使いやすさの向上という課題に取り組んでいます。

We are working on the challenge of improving usability.

This contrast is extremely useful for understanding natural Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Is 課題を解決する Wrong?

No.

課題を解決する is also used in Japanese.

However, the focus changes.

課題を解決する focuses on reaching a solution or producing a result.

課題に取り組む focuses on the effort and process.

Compare:

会社は人手不足という課題に取り組んでいます。

The company is working on the challenge of a labor shortage.

This suggests that efforts are still continuing.

Now compare:

新しい採用制度を導入し、人手不足という課題を解決しました。

We introduced a new recruitment system and solved the labor shortage issue.

Here, the sentence tells us that the action produced a successful result.

Can You Say 問題に取り組む?

Yes.

問題に取り組む is also natural Japanese.

For example:

政府は環境問題に取り組んでいます。

The government is working on environmental issues.

This does not mean that all environmental problems have already been solved.

It means that the government is taking action to improve the situation.

Compare:

• 問題を解決する → focus on the result
• 問題に取り組む → focus on the action and process

Be Careful: 課題を取り組む Is Incorrect

A common mistake among Japanese learners is:

課題を取り組む

This is unnatural.

取り組む normally uses the particle に:

課題に取り組む

So it is best to memorize the whole pattern:

〜に取り組む

This will help you avoid particle mistakes on the JLPT as well.

How to Tell Them Apart on the JLPT

In JLPT vocabulary and reading questions, look for whether the sentence emphasizes a result or an ongoing process.

Choose 解決する When the Problem Has Been Removed

Look for clues such as:

• 原因を調べた
• 修理した
• 対策を行った
• トラブルがなくなった
• 正常な状態に戻った

These expressions suggest that a problem has been dealt with and a result has been reached.

For example:

担当者がすぐに対応したため、システムの問題は無事に＿＿＿。

Because the person in charge responded quickly, the system problem was successfully _____.

The natural answer is:

解決した

The result has already been achieved.

Choose 取り組む When the Effort Is Still Continuing

Look for words and expressions such as:

• 現在
• 今後
• 長期的に
• 改善を進める
• 努力を続ける
• 対策を進める

These often indicate that the action is still in progress.

For example:

企業は現在、環境への負担を減らすという課題に＿＿＿いる。

The company is currently _____ the challenge of reducing its environmental impact.

The natural answer is:

取り組んで

The sentence describes an ongoing effort.

A Simple JLPT Tip

If you are unsure which expression fits, ask yourself two questions.

Has the troublesome situation already been removed?

If yes, 解決する is likely to fit.

Is someone still making efforts to improve the situation?

If yes, 取り組む is likely to fit.

A very useful shortcut is:

解決する = result

取り組む = process and effort

Instead of looking at just one word, pay attention to the sentences before and after it. JLPT questions often give you contextual clues.

Summary

問題を解決する and 課題に取り組む both describe actions related to improving a situation, but their focus is different.

• 問題を解決する → remove an existing problem; focus on the result
• 課題に取り組む → work toward improvement or a goal; focus on the process

The easiest distinction to remember is:

解決する = reaching a solution

取り組む = working toward a solution or improvement

Learning this difference will help you understand not only everyday and business Japanese, but also vocabulary and reading questions on the JLPT N3 and N2.

Knowing the meaning of a word is only the first step. To use Japanese naturally, you also need to practice choosing the right expression in context.

RJT (Rapid Japanese Training) lets you practice JLPT vocabulary and grammar through repeated questions, helping you move from “I understand this expression” to “I can choose the correct expression quickly.”

Practice a little at a time and build the ability to recognize natural Japanese in real sentences.

https://rapid-jt.com/