補佐官(ほさかん)

A compound of 補佐(ほさ) (assistance/support) and 官(かん) (official/officer). This word frequently appears in news reports about government and politics, both domestic and international.

In the Japanese government, 内閣総理大臣補佐官(ないかくそうりだいじんほさかん) (Prime Minister's Special Adviser) is a formal position established by law. In translations of foreign politics, it is commonly used for positions like the U.S. National Security Advisor (国家安全保障担当大統領補佐官(こっかあんぜんほしょうたんとうだいとうりょうほさかん)).

Common collocations

• 首相(しゅしょう)補佐官(ほさかん): Prime Minister's adviser
• 大統領(だいとうりょう)補佐官(ほさかん): presidential adviser
• 安全保障(あんぜんほしょう)担当(たんとう)補佐官(ほさかん): national security adviser
• 補佐官(ほさかん)に任命(にんめい)する: to appoint as an adviser

Related words

• 補佐(ほさ): assistance; aide (without the official title nuance)
• 顧問(こもん): adviser; counselor (often for private organizations)
• 秘書官(ひしょかん): secretary (to a high-ranking official)