1.
successor, heir, person who carries on
A person who inherits and continues a tradition, business, craft, or legacy. Emphasizes the continuation of something that the predecessor built or maintained.
Usage
後継者不足 (shortage of successors) and 後継者問題 (successor problem) are commonly discussed social issues in Japan, particularly regarding family businesses, farming, and traditional crafts.
Similar words
Compare with 後任, which refers to someone filling an organizational position. 後継者 emphasizes inheriting a legacy or tradition, while 後任 focuses on replacing someone in a specific role.