〜を通じて — JLPT N2 Grammar

Pattern

Noun + を通じて (predicate position) Noun + を通じた + Noun (attributive: "a Noun achieved through/throughout ~") Noun + を通して (alternative form; same meaning, slightly more conversational)

The noun before を通じて is either (1) the medium or channel through which something happens, or (2) a period of time throughout which something continues.

Formality

Standard to Formal. を通じて is used across registers — formal essays, business communication, news articles, and even natural conversation. を通して is slightly more conversational; を通じて leans slightly more formal. Both appear at N2 level and are interchangeable in most contexts.

Meaning

Through ~; via ~; throughout ~; by means of ~

〜を通じて has two distinct meanings that share the core idea of "passing through":

Medium/Channel: X is the means, medium, or intermediary through which something is accomplished: テレビを通じて (through television), 人脈を通じて (through one's network).
Duration: X is a span of time throughout which something continues: 一年を通じて (throughout the year), 生涯を通じて (throughout one's lifetime).

Explanation

を通じて is the te-form of 通じる (つうじる, "to pass through; to be connected; to be understood"). The core image is of something passing through a channel or continuing through a span of time, which naturally produces both the "medium/via" meaning and the "throughout" meaning.

For the medium/channel meaning, the noun before を通じて is the conduit or intermediary: インターネットを通じて情報を得る (obtain information through the internet). The channel can be a technology (TV, internet), a person (intermediary, agent), an institution, or an activity (research, dialogue). This meaning is particularly common in formal business and diplomatic contexts: 外交ルートを通じて交渉する (negotiate through diplomatic channels).

For the duration meaning, the noun before を通じて is a time period, and the meaning is "throughout" or "the entire span of": 年間を通じて安定している (stable throughout the year). This usage emphasizes that there is no break or interruption across the entire span.

Example Sentences

インターネットを通じて、世界中の人々とつながることができる。 Intānetto wo tsūjite, sekaijuu no hitobito to tsunagaru koto ga dekiru. Through the internet, we can connect with people all over the world.
彼は友人の紹介を通じて、その会社に就職した。 Kare wa yuujin no shoukai wo tsūjite, sono kaisha ni shuushoku shita. He got a job at that company through a friend's introduction.
一年を通じて温暖な気候が続くこの地域は、農業に適している。 Ichinenjuu wo tsūjite ondana kikou ga tsuzuku kono chiiki wa, nougyou ni tekishite iru. This region, which maintains a warm climate throughout the year, is suitable for agriculture.
外交チャンネルを通じた交渉が続けられている。 Gaikou-channeru wo tsūjita kōshō ga tsuzukerarete iru. Negotiations through diplomatic channels are continuing.
彼女は音楽を通じて、多くの人々に勇気を与えた。 Kanojo wa ongaku wo tsūjite, ooku no hitobito ni yuuki wo ataeta. Through music, she gave courage to many people.
生涯を通じて、彼は平和のために尽力した。 Shougai wo tsūjite, kare wa heiwa no tame ni jinryoku shita. Throughout his life, he worked hard for peace.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Confusing を通じて and を通して. These two are near-synonyms and often interchangeable. The subtle difference: を通じて tends to be used for more formal or abstract channels (diplomatic routes, official media), while を通して can feel slightly more direct or concrete (pass something through a window). In practice at N2 level, both are acceptable for both meanings.

Mistake 2: Using を通じて when a simpler particle works better. For simple "by means of" expressions where there is no sense of "passing through" a channel, other patterns are more natural:

でメールを送る (send by email) is more natural than メールを通じて送る for everyday actions.
Use を通じて when there is a meaningful intermediary or when the "through-ness" adds value to the meaning.

Compare With

Pattern	Meaning	Key Difference
〜を通じて	through (medium/channel), throughout (duration)	Has both the "via" and the "throughout" meanings. Standard to formal.
〜を通して	through, via (medium)	Near-synonym; slightly more conversational. Also has a sense of doing something consistently through a medium.
〜によって	by means of, by, due to	Broader "by means of" — covers cause, agent, and method. Does not carry the "throughout a duration" meaning.
〜を経て	through, after going through	Emphasizes the process of passing through stages or experiences before reaching a result. More sequential.
〜にわたって	throughout, spanning	Used for duration only (not channel). Emphasizes the full span or range covered.

Key pair to remember: を通じて vs. にわたって for duration. Both can mean "throughout [a period]," but を通じて emphasizes continuity ("it's been continuous throughout"), while にわたって emphasizes the breadth or scope covered ("spanning across the entire period/area"). 三年間にわたる調査 (a survey spanning three years — emphasizing the scale) vs. 三年を通じて続いた (continued throughout three years — emphasizing continuity).