敵のアジトへ突入するに際して、BGMとしてオールドスクールなラップを流した。
Upon storming the enemy hideout, we blasted old-school rap as our background music.

Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.
The Lowdown on the Nuance
~に際して is that formal-ass way of saying “when,” “on the occasion of,” or “at the time of.” But don’t go throwing this around when you’re just ordering a damn burrito. This ain’t your everyday “とき” (toki).
Think of ~に際して as the musical intro to a legendary hip-hop album or that heavy-ass moment right before a major heist. It’s used for big, monumental, non-repeatable life events—like signing a major record deal, dropping a classic LP, or starting a massive joint venture with another crew. It’s got a very proper, official, and public vibe to it. It looks back at the preparation or looks forward to the heavy responsibility that’s about to drop on your shoulders.
The Metaphor: Imagine Jay-Z stepping up to the podium to announce Roc Nation’s new global merger. He doesn’t say, “Yo, when we did this deal…” Nah, he says, “On the occasion of this historic partnership…” That’s exactly what ~に際して is. It’s the linguistic tailored suit you put on when big-time business is going down.

Check the blueprint below to see exactly how to stitch this grammar into your sentences without looking like a rookie.
| Base Form | Grammar Point | Example | English Translation |
| Noun (Action-based) | + に際して | 契約に際して | On the occasion of signing the contract |
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | + に際して | 取引するに際して | At the time of making the deal |
To lace this up correctly, you only have two options. You either drop a Noun that involves some kind of action (like 取引/deal, 引退/retirement, 設立/establishment) straight into ~に際して, or you use the Dictionary Form (Plain Form) of a action verb. Just remember, this shit is strictly for the future or the exact moment something major is kicking off. You don’t use it for some accidental, random-ass event like getting pulled over by the cops unexpectedly. It’s for the events you saw coming down the pipeline.

Read and master the example sentences below.
組織の拡大に際して、新しい武器を大量に仕入れた。
On the occasion of expanding the syndicate, we sourced a massive stash of new straps.
金庫を爆破するに際して、ダイナマイトの量を間違えてビルごと吹き飛ばした。
At the time of blowing up the safe, we messed up the amount of dynamite and blew up the whole damn building.
裏切り者を処分するに際して、どの川に沈めるかで3時間も議論した。
On the occasion of disposing of the rat, we argued for three straight hours about which river to drop him in.
偽札を印刷するに際して、ボスの顔を透かしに入れてしまい全員に怒られた。
At the time of printing the counterfeit cash, I accidentally put the boss’s face in the watermark and everyone lost their shit.
対立組織と和解するに際して、手土産として最高級の葉巻を持参した。
On the occasion of making peace with the rival crew, we brought the highest-grade cigars as a peace offering.
法廷で証言するに際して、映画のセリフを引用したら裁判長に睨まれた。
At the time of testifying in court, I quoted a movie line and the judge gave me the ultimate death stare
密造酒を製造するに際して、隠し味に高級ハチミツを入れたら大ヒットした。
At the time of manufacturing the moonshine, we added premium honey as a secret ingredient and that shit became an absolute hit.
闇カジノを開店するに際して、ディーラー全員にタキシードを着用させた。
On the occasion of opening the underground casino, we made all the dealers rock tuxedos.
裏社会から引退するに際して、記念に金のピストルをプレゼントされた。
At the time of retiring from the underworld, I was gifted a gold-plated pistol as a memento.
密告者を特定するに際して、嘘の情報を流して罠を張ることにした。
Upon identifying the snitch, we decided to feed out fake info and set a trap.
Stay dangerous.


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