Looking up...
取締役
torishimariyaku
company director
彼女はその会社の取締役に就任した。
She became a director of the company.
Law
formal
A person appointed to the board of directors of a company, responsible for overseeing management and making major decisions.
取締役会は毎月開催される。
The board of directors meets monthly.
彼は取締役社長として活躍している。
He serves as the president and director.
In Japanese corporate law, '取締役' refers to both executive and non-executive directors, unlike some Western systems where 'director' may imply non-executive roles.
Business
formal
An executive responsible for managing a company's operations and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
取締役は株主総会で報告を行う義務がある。
Directors are obligated to report at the shareholders' meeting.
Often abbreviated as '取締' in legal documents.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Corporate Hierarchy in Japan
In Japan, '取締役' (director) is distinct from '執行役' (executive officer). The former is a statutory position under the Companies Act, while the latter is a role defined in corporate governance structures.
Gold Rule
Legal vs. Common Usage
While '取締役' strictly refers to a board member under Japanese law, in casual contexts it may colloquially refer to any high-ranking executive, including '社長' (president) or '副社長' (vice president).
Word Origin
Composed of '取締' (regulation/control) and '役' (role/position). The term reflects the historical role of directors in overseeing (取り締まる) company affairs.
Usage Notes
In Japan, the term is legally defined under the Companies Act (会社法). A '代表取締役' (representative director) has the authority to act on behalf of the company. The number of directors varies by company size.
Word Breakdown
取
to take/grasp
verb root締
to fasten/regulate
verb root役
role/position
noun和英辞典