係長(かかりちょう)

かかりちょう
noun
section chief; subsection head
workbusinessoccupation
1. section chief; subsection head
a junior management position in Japanese companies, between supervisor and manager
来月(らいげつ)から係長(かかりちょう)になります。
I will become a section chief starting next month.
係長(かかりちょう)、この書類(しょるい)に印鑑(いんかん)をお願(ねが)いします。
Section chief, could you please stamp this document?
彼(かれ)は入社(にゅうしゃ)五(ご)年目(ねんめ)で係長(かかりちょう)に昇進(しょうしん)した。
He was promoted to section chief in his fifth year at the company.

Usage

係長(かかりちょう) is typically the first official management position in traditional Japanese companies. The title comes from 係(かかり) (charge, duty) + 長(ちょう) (chief, head).

Cultural note

A common ladder in Japanese companies (titles and order vary by company):
平社員(ひらしゃいん) → 主任(しゅにん) → 係長(かかりちょう) → 課長(かちょう) → 部長(ぶちょう)
(Regular employee → Supervisor → Section chief → Manager → Department head)

Related Words

Related: 課長(かちょう) (section chief (higher rank))
Related: 部長(ぶちょう) (department head)
general
Added 2026.1.25 17:29 · Revised 2026.10.7 4:24
08000/08212_kakarichou