Translation guide
The main center of operations for a military, corporate, or organizational command structure. Japanese uses specific terms depending on context, with 総司令部 being the most direct equivalent for military supreme command.
The highest-level military command center, often for a theater or entire armed forces.
General headquarters for a military supreme command, such as GHQ after WWII.
連合国軍総司令部は東京に置かれた。
The General Headquarters of the Allied Powers was established in Tokyo.
Used for the main headquarters of some military or paramilitary organizations, but less common than 総司令部.
組織の総本部は秘密の場所にある。
The organization's general headquarters is in a secret location.
The primary administrative center of a company or large organization.
Head office of a company. The most common term for corporate headquarters.
本社は東京にあります。
The headquarters is in Tokyo.
Headquarters for an organization, association, or project. Broader than 本社.
Main store or head office, often used for banks or retail chains.
The concept of overall command or leadership, not a physical location.
Overall command or general leadership, often used in military or project contexts.
彼が作戦の総指揮を執った。
He took general command of the operation.
A coordinating headquarters that oversees multiple divisions or subsidiaries.
グループ全体を統括する本部が新設された。
A general headquarters to oversee the entire group was newly established.
本社 is specifically for companies. 本部 is for organizations, clubs, or temporary setups (e.g., campaign HQ). 本店 refers to the main store or branch of a business like a bank or restaurant chain.
Directly translating 'general headquarters' as 一般本部 or 全般本部 is unnatural. Use context-appropriate terms like 総司令部 (military) or 本社 (corporate).
The election campaign headquarters was set up.
銀行の本店は大阪にあります。
The bank's head office is in Osaka.