1.
secretarial office; secretary's department
A department or office within an organization that handles secretarial functions, typically managing the schedule, correspondence, and affairs of senior executives or officials.
A compound of 秘書 (secretary) and 室 (room, office, department). In Japanese organizations, 秘書室 functions as a formal department rather than just a physical room.
Common collocations
- 秘書室長 — head of the secretarial office
- 秘書室に配属される — to be assigned to the secretarial department
- 秘書室を通す — to go through the secretarial office (for requests)
Related words
- 秘書 — secretary
- 秘書課 — secretarial section (an alternative organizational name, essentially the same function)
- 総務部 — general affairs department (a broader department that sometimes includes secretarial functions)
- 受付 — reception desk (handles visitor greeting, a different function)
Usage
In Japanese companies, the 秘書室 typically serves the 社長 (president) and 役員 (executives). In government, it serves the 大臣 (minister) or 知事 (governor). The department acts as a gatekeeper controlling access to senior leaders.