Meaning of Positions and Hierarchical Levels in Japan

The Japanese language is rich in terms and expressions that represent different hierarchical levels, especially in military, school, and business contexts. In this article, we will explore words like “taichou” and “heichou” and other similar terms, highlighting their meanings, origins, and uses. Understanding these words will help deepen your knowledge of the Japanese language and culture.

In Japan, hierarchy and organizational structure play a crucial role in maintaining order and promoting a harmonious and efficient work environment. Now it’s time for you to finally understand the terms used in workplaces and beyond.

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[長] Chou – Position in Japanese

Have you noticed that the names of positions in Japanese often end with “chou”? The ideogram “長” (chou) is a common kanji used in many terms related to hierarchy and leadership positions in Japan.

The etymology of the character “長” dates back to classical Chinese writing with the meaning of “long,” “tall,” or “extensive” in terms of size, time, or quantity.

However, in terms of hierarchical positions, the meaning of “長” is more related to the idea of “chief,” “leader,” or “superior.” The idea of size entirely refers to a person’s merit.

This ideogram is often used as a suffix to denote the person responsible for leading or supervising a specific area, function, or group of people.

Shachou (社長) and Fuku-shachou (副社長)

Shachou and Fuku-shachou are Japanese terms that describe the highest positions in a business organization. They are fundamental to decision-making and overseeing the company’s activities.

Shachou – President and CEO

Shachou (社長) is the president or CEO of a company. This position is responsible for leading the organization and making important decisions that affect the company’s direction.

The term is composed of the kanji characters “sha” (社), which means “company” or “corporation,” and “chou” (長), which means “chief” or “leader.” Shachou thus represents the person who leads the company.

Fuku-Shachou – Vice President

Fuku-shachou (副社長), on the other hand, is the vice president of an organization. This position acts as the right hand of the president, assisting in management and decision-making. Fuku-shachou is responsible for leading important projects and operations, ensuring that the company achieves its goals.

The term is formed by the kanji characters “fuku” (副), which means “vice” or “assistant,” and “shachou” (社長), which means “president” or “CEO.” Fuku-shachou thus indicates the person who works directly with the president in leading the organization.

Rijichou (理事長) – Chairman of the Board

Rijichou (理事長) is a Japanese term that describes the chairman of the board of directors of an organization. This position is responsible for overseeing the board and leading the strategic direction of the company or organization.

The chairman of the board plays a significant role in corporate governance, working closely with board members and senior management.

As the leader of the board, the Rijichou is responsible for coordinating and presiding over board meetings, ensuring that board members are well-informed about important organizational issues, and facilitating efficient and effective decision-making.

The Rijichou also plays an important role in overseeing and monitoring the performance of senior management, such as the Shachou (president or CEO) and the Fuku-shachou (vice president).

In many cases, the Rijichou acts as a link between shareholders and senior management, representing the interests of shareholders and ensuring that the company operates according to the principles of good corporate governance.

Jichou (事長) – General Director

The Jichou (事長) is a Japanese term that describes the position of General Director of a specific division or department within an organization. This position is responsible for managing and supervising the operations of the department and leading the involved team.

The role of Jichou is similar to that of Bucho (部長), however, the Jichou often supervises a larger department or has a broader scope of responsibilities. In some cases, the Jichou may be responsible for a regional division or subsidiary of a company, ensuring compliance with the organization’s overall policies and strategies.

As the leader of a department or division, the Jichou must ensure the efficiency of operations and the achievement of goals set by senior management. The Jichou must be able to make informed decisions, manage resources, and solve problems that may arise during operations.

Bucho (部長) – Department Manager

Bucho is used to refer to the manager of a department in a business organization. The word is composed of the kanjis “bu” (部), which means “department,” and “chou” (長), which means “chief” or “leader.” The person in this position is responsible for supervising the activities of the department and ensuring the smooth functioning of their team.

In many Japanese companies, the bucho plays a key role in decision-making and is considered an authority figure. Additionally, it is common for employees to use the term after the surname as an honorific form of address.

An effective Bucho must be able to clearly communicate the goals and objectives of the department and ensure that the organization’s strategies and policies are correctly implemented in their department.

We recommend reading: Japanese Honorifics – The Meaning of san, kun, chan, and others

Kachou (課長) – Section Chief

Kachou is a title used to describe the leader of a section within a department in a company. This position is responsible for supervising and managing a specific section and the people who work in it.

The term is formed by the kanjis “ka” (課), which means “section” or “division,” and “chou” (長), which means “chief” or “leader.” The person in this position is responsible for managing and coordinating the work of their team, as well as reporting progress to the department manager (bucho).

Section chiefs generally have more experience and knowledge in their area of expertise than the members of their team. They provide guidance and support, helping the team achieve their goals and ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently.

Taichou (隊長) – The Commander

Taichou is a Japanese word that literally translates to “commander” or “team leader.” It is commonly used in a military context, referring to the leader of a unit or team. Taichou can also be applied in non-military contexts, such as work groups or organizations where there is a clearly established leadership figure.

The term is derived from the kanji characters “tai” (隊), which means “team” or “group,” and “chou” (長), which means “chief” or “leader.” The combination of these characters indicates a person’s position as the leader of a group.

Bucho (部長) is considered a hierarchically higher position than Kachou (課長) because it represents the leadership of an entire department within an organization, while Kachou leads only a specific section within the department.

Heichou (兵長) – The Subcommander

Heichou is another Japanese term that expresses a hierarchical level, translated as “subcommander” or “sergeant.” While taichou refers to the leader of a team, heichou is a rank immediately below the leader, acting as a right-hand person or second in command.

Like taichou, heichou is composed of two kanji characters: “hei” (兵), which means “soldier,” and “chou” (長), which again means “chief” or “leader.” The combination of these two characters suggests that the person in this position is responsible for leading the soldiers or team members.

Senpai and Kouhai

In addition to the business hierarchies we just saw, there are also the famous Senpai and Kouhai, which are used in any environment, especially school, to refer to the newcomer and the veteran.

1. Senpai (先輩) – Senior: In school and professional contexts, the senpai is someone with more experience or seniority compared to another person, usually helping or guiding the younger ones.
2. Kouhai (後輩) – Junior: The kouhai is the opposite of the senpai, being a younger or less experienced member who receives guidance and support from the senpai.

If you want to know more about Senpai and Kouhai, we recommend reading our article now: Senpai and Kouhai – What is the meaning and the relationship between them?

Other Terms of Japanese Hierarchy

There are many other hierarchical terms in Japanese that describe different positions or relationships. Some of them include:

• Keiri (経理) – Financial Manager: The financial manager is responsible for managing a company’s finances, including budgets, accounting, and financial analysis.
• Shunin (主任) – Supervisor: The supervisor is responsible for leading and coordinating the work of a group of employees or team.
• Joushi (上司) – Superior or Boss: Joushi is a generic term used to describe someone in a position of authority or leadership in relation to another person.
• Douryou (同僚) – Colleague: Douryou is used to describe people who work at the same hierarchical level or in a similar position, without a direct subordinate relationship.
• Tantou (担当) – Responsible: Tantou refers to someone in charge of a specific task or area of responsibility within an organization.
• Shidou (指導) – Advisor or Mentor: The advisor or mentor is someone who offers support, advice, and guidance to help others develop skills and knowledge.
• Rijichou (理事長) – Chairman of the Board: Rijichou refers to the leader of the board of directors of an organization, usually responsible for overseeing and guiding the strategic direction of the company.
• Torishimariyaku (取締役) – Director: The torishimariyaku is a member of a company’s board of directors, participating in strategic decisions and overseeing the management of the organization.
• Jichou (事長) – General Director: Jichou is the leader of a specific division or department within an organization, responsible for managing and supervising its operations.
• Kakarichou (係長) – Group Leader: The kakarichou is responsible for leading a small group of employees within a section or department.
• Shuunin (主任) – Assistant Manager: Shuunin is an intermediate position between the supervisor and the department manager, responsible for supervising a team of employees and ensuring operational efficiency.
• Gakuenchou (学園長) – School Director: Gakuenchou is the leader of an educational institution, such as a school or university, responsible for overseeing administration and teaching.
• Kyoushi (教師) – Teacher: Kyoushi is the term used to describe a teacher or educator, responsible for teaching and guiding students.
• Seito (生徒) – Student: Seito is the term used to describe a student, usually in a school context, who receives instruction and guidance from teachers and other educational staff.

In addition to these, we also have other positions:

• 総長 (Souchou) – President or General Director (in some organizations, such as universities or public agencies);
• 道場長 (Douchou) – Master or leader of a dojo (martial arts school);
• 店長 (Tenchou) – Store or business manager;
• 編集長 (Henshuuchou) – Editor-in-chief (in publishing houses or media outlets);
• 宗教長 (Shuukyouchou) – Religious leader or main figure of a religious organization;
• 音楽長 (Ongakuchou) – Conductor or music director;
• 議長 (Gichou) – Chairman of the assembly, such as in a legislative chamber;
• 監督 (Kantoku) – Director or coach of a sports team;
• 主査長 (Shusachou) – Chief inspector or quality supervisor;
• 指揮者 (Shikisha) – Conductor (as in an orchestra, although it does not use the ideogram “長,” the term has a similar hierarchical function)
• 教育長 (Kyouikuchou) – School superintendent or education director
• 資料長 (Shiryou-chou) – Head of the documentation or archive department
• 義務教育長 (Gimu Kyouikuchou) – Director of compulsory education
• 総務長 (Soumuchou) – Head of general or administrative affairs
• 財務長 (Zaimuchou) – Head of finance or financial director (CFO)
• 人事長 (Jinjichou) – Head of human resources or HR director

These are just a few examples of hierarchical terms in Japanese. The Japanese language has a wide range of words and expressions that describe different levels of authority and relationships, reflecting the importance of hierarchy in Japanese culture and society.

What is the Japanese Hierarchical Order?

The hierarchy of these titles can vary depending on the specific context, such as in military, school, or business environments. However, in general, the order of the titles mentioned in the article can be classified as follows:

1. Shachou (社長)
2. Fuku-shachou (副社長)
3. Rijichou (理事長)
4. Torishimariyaku (取締役)
5. Jichou (事長)
6. Bucho (部長)
7. Kachou (課長)
8. Shunin (主任)
9. Kakarichou (係長)
10. Taichou (隊長)
11. Heichou (兵長)
12. Shuunin (主任)
13. Gakuenchou (学園長)
14. Kyoushi (教師)
15. Senpai (先輩)
16. Kouhai (後輩)
17. Seito (生徒)
18. Joushi (上司)
19. Douryou (同僚)
20. Tantou (担当)
21. Shidou (指導)