Encouragement or promotion meant to stimulate or induce action; can refer to official incentives or personal encouragement.
会社は社員の資格取得を奨励している。
The company encourages employees to obtain professional qualifications.
奨励金が支給され、研究が活発になった。
Incentives were provided and research became more active.
教師が生徒の読書を奨励した。
The teacher encouraged the students to read.