村長(そんちょう)

そんちょう
noun
village chief, village mayor
societyoccupation
1. village chief, village head, village mayor
The elected head of a village (村) in Japan's local government system. Villages are the smallest unit of municipal government, found mainly in rural areas.
新(あたら)しい村長(そんちょう)が選(えら)ばれた。
A new village mayor was elected.
村長(そんちょう)は村民(そんみん)の声(こえ)に耳(みみ)を傾(かたむ)けた。
The village chief listened to the villagers' voices.
村長(そんちょう)選挙(せんきょ)は来月(らいげつ)行(おこな)われるが、立候補者(りっこうほしゃ)は一人(ひとり)しかいない。
The village mayoral election will be held next month, but there is only one candidate.

Usage

In Japan's local government hierarchy, the heads of different municipal levels have different titles:

村(むら) (village) is the smallest administrative unit. The number of villages in Japan has been declining due to municipal mergers.

Note: This is a homophone of 尊重(そんちょう) (respect).

Common collocations

  • 村長(そんちょう)選挙(せんきょ): village mayoral election
  • 村長(そんちょう)に就任(しゅうにん)する: to take office as village chief
  • 村長(そんちょう)室(しつ): village chief's office

Related Words

Homophone: 尊重(そんちょう) (尊重 (respect))
Related: 知事(ちじ) (prefectural governor)
general
Added 2026.2.23 19:46 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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