興業{こうぎょう｝ (kougyou) vs. 工業{こうぎょう｝ (kougyou)


i just came upon 興業「こうぎよう」with definition given as “industrial enterprise”. I
can’t determine the difference with 工業 (same pronunciation and also meaning
industry) but don’t think they’re variant writings of the same word. can
someone explain any nuance to me ?




In fact, the EDICT definition seems to be somewhat misleading here; I’ve
submitted a proposal for correction. Here are several related homonyms with
the same reading こうぎょう:

興業 promotion/encouragement of (new) industry (especially in
[殖産興業](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AE%96%E7%94%A3%E8%88%88%E6%A5%AD) -
Meiji era policy for promoting industrialization)

鉱業 mining industry

工業 industry, industrial

興行 show, performance, entertainment business.

It may help to check the meanings of individual kanji, for example:

興{おこ}る prosper, flourish

興{おこ}す promote, advance, revitalize

工{たくみ} artisan, craftsman

業{ぎょう} occupation, business, work

行{おこな}う perform, carry out

