1.
coordinator; mediator; go-between; person who reconciles different parties
A person whose role is to coordinate between different parties, departments, or interests, smoothing out conflicts and finding compromises. Common in business, politics, and organizational contexts.
彼女が調整役を務めた。
She served as the coordinator.
部署間の調整役として活躍している。
He is active as a mediator between departments.
利害が対立する両者の間に立ち、調整役を引き受けることになった。
I ended up taking on the role of mediator between the two parties whose interests were in conflict.
Composed of 調整 (adjustment, coordination) and 役 (role, part). Describes a specific role rather than a formal job title. Often the 調整役 is someone who takes on this function informally because of their personality, position, or relationships.
In Japanese workplaces, the 調整役 is a highly valued role, since consensus-building (根回し) is central to Japanese organizational culture.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 調整役を務める: to serve as coordinator
- 調整役を引き受ける: to take on the role of mediator
- 調整役に回る: to take on a coordinating role
- 調整役として働く: to work as a go-between
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 仲介者: intermediary, broker — more formal, often in legal/business deals
- 仲裁者: arbitrator — makes binding decisions in disputes
- 世話役: organizer, caretaker — broader; manages practical arrangements