Japanese word

次官

Pronunciation

Romajijikan

Meaning

  • nounvice-minister

Example

次官は会議で新しい方針を説明します。ji kan wa kai gi de atara shi i hō shin o setsu mei shi ma su

The vice-minister explains the new policy at the meeting.

Illustration for 次官 (vice-minister)

More examples

省庁の次官を中心に、政策の調整が進められています。shō chō no ji kan o chū shin ni sei saku no chō sei ga susu me ra re te i ma su

Policy coordination is progressing under the leadership of the vice-minister.

Core concept

次官 (jikan) is the main administrative authority under a minister, linking the minister's policies with the ministry's daily work.

Common phrases

  • 次官に就任するji kan ni shū nin su ru

    assume office as vice-minister

  • 次官を務めるji kan o tsuto me ru

    serve as vice-minister

  • 次官に任命されるji kan ni nin mei sa re ru

    be appointed vice-minister

Similar words

副大臣fukudaijin: A political appointee who assists a minister and may oversee specific policy areas.

Definition in Japanese

大臣の下で政策の実施や省務を統括する高級官僚。dai jin no moto de sei saku no jis shi ya shō mu o tō katsu su ru kō kyū kan ryō

Word origin

次 (ji, "next") combines with 官 (kan, "government official") to form 次官 (jikan), meaning an official placed next to and below a minister in the hierarchy.

Usage tips

  • The English title vice-minister can sound like a second minister, but 次官 (jikan) usually identifies a senior career official who runs the ministry's administration.

Word lists with this word