局長(きょくちょう)

Compound of 局(きょく) (bureau/office/station) and 長(ちょう) (chief/head). A title used in various organizational contexts.

Types

• 郵便(ゆうびん)局長(きょくちょう): post office director
• 放送(ほうそう)局長(きょくちょう): broadcasting station director
• 総務(そうむ)局長(きょくちょう): director of general affairs
• 税務(ぜいむ)局長(きょくちょう): tax bureau chief

Japanese organizational hierarchy

In government ministries, 局長(きょくちょう) ranks below 次官(じかん) (vice-minister) and above 課長(かちょう) (section chief). The hierarchy typically runs: 大臣(だいじん) → 次官(じかん) → 局長(きょくちょう) → 部長(ぶちょう) → 課長(かちょう).

Similar words

• 部長(ぶちょう): department head — lower rank in government; equivalent level in many companies
• 課長(かちょう): section chief — a more junior management position
• 所長(しょちょう): director of an institute or office — used for research institutes, branch offices