長官(ちょうかん)

ちょうかん
noun
director-general; secretary (head of a government agency)
formalpoliticsoccupation
1. director-general; head of a government agency
The official title of the head of certain government bodies, such as an agency (庁(ちょう)) in Japan or a cabinet department in the United States.
長官(ちょうかん)が会見(かいけん)を開(ひら)いた。
The director-general held a press conference.
気象庁(きしょうちょう)長官(ちょうかん)が注意(ちゅうい)を呼(よ)びかけた。
The head of the Japan Meteorological Agency urged caution.
アメリカの国務(こくむ)長官(ちょうかん)が来日(らいにち)し、外務大臣(がいむだいじん)と会談(かいだん)した。
The U.S. Secretary of State visited Japan and held talks with the Foreign Minister.

In Japan, the head of a 省(しょう) (ministry) is a 大臣(だいじん), while the head of a 庁(ちょう) (agency) is usually a 長官(ちょうかん). In news about the United States, 長官(ちょうかん) translates "Secretary" (国務長官(こくむちょうかん), Secretary of State).

Common collocations

  • 官房(かんぼう)長官(ちょうかん): Chief Cabinet Secretary
  • 警察庁(けいさつちょう)長官(ちょうかん): Commissioner General of the National Police Agency
  • 国務(こくむ)長官(ちょうかん): (U.S.) Secretary of State

Watch out

Homophone: 朝刊(ちょうかん) (morning newspaper).

general
Added 2026.10.3 4:34 · Revised 2026.10.3 4:36
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