特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)

とくめいぜんけんたいし
noun
ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary
1. ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary
The highest-ranking diplomatic representative a state sends to another country, authorized to act with full authority on behalf of the head of state. The formal, official title used in diplomatic protocol, treaties, and news coverage of ambassadorial appointments.
駐日(ちゅうにち)特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)。
Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Japan.
彼(かれ)は特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)に任命(にんめい)された。
He was appointed as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
新(あたら)しい特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)が天皇(てんのう)に信任状(しんにんじょう)を提出(ていしゅつ)した。
The new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary presented his credentials to the Emperor.
外務省(がいむしょう)は来月(らいげつ)、駐米(ちゅうべい)特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)の交代(こうたい)を発表(はっぴょう)する予定(よてい)だ。
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to announce the replacement of the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the United States next month.

Composed of 特命(とくめい) (special mission), 全権(ぜんけん) (full authority; plenipotentiary), and 大使(たいし) (ambassador). The official legal title for an ambassador in Japanese diplomatic usage — in everyday speech, people simply say 大使(たいし).

USAGE:
This is the formal rank name written in appointment documents, treaties, and protocol announcements. News reports use it when a new ambassador is appointed or presents credentials, but switch to 大使(たいし) in subsequent mentions. The destination country is typically indicated by 駐(ちゅう) + country name: 駐日(ちゅうにち)大使(たいし) (ambassador to Japan), 駐米(ちゅうべい)大使(たいし) (ambassador to the US).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 駐日(ちゅうにち)特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし): ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Japan
  • 特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし)に任命(にんめい)する: to appoint as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary
  • 信任状(しんにんじょう)を提出(ていしゅつ)する: to present one's credentials

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 大使(たいし): ambassador — the everyday short form of this title
  • 公使(こうし): minister (diplomatic) — a lower-ranking diplomatic representative
  • 領事(りょうじ): consul — handles commercial and citizen affairs, not diplomatic representation
  • 特命全権公使(とくめいぜんけんこうし): minister plenipotentiary — same "plenipotentiary" status but at the rank of minister, not ambassador
general
Added 2026.4.14 3:06
23500/23635_tokumeizenkentaishi