Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for 'government agency' varies depending on the level of government (national, prefectural, municipal) and the type of organization. The most common and general term is 政府機関, but other words like 官庁, 省, 庁, and 局 are used for specific types of agencies. This guide helps learners choose the right word based on context.
Referring to any administrative body of the government in a broad sense.
The most direct and general translation for 'government agency'. It can refer to any organization that is part of the government, including ministries, bureaus, and commissions.
That government agency announced a new policy.
Refers specifically to administrative organs of the government. Slightly more formal and often used in legal or academic contexts.
Administrative agencies conduct their operations in accordance with the law.
Referring to a central government ministry, such as the Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Education.
Used for the highest-level ministries of the national government (e.g., 財務省 - Ministry of Finance). Often translated as 'ministry'.
He works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Refers to agencies or offices that are often subordinate to a 省 (ministry) but still significant, such as the National Tax Agency (国税庁) or the Japan Coast Guard (海上保安庁). Sometimes translated as 'agency' or 'office'.
Referring to a local government office or a specific bureau within a larger organization.
A general term for government offices, often used for national or local administrative bodies. Can be translated as 'government office' or 'public office'.
Many government agencies are concentrated in the government office district.
Often used for bureaus or departments within a ministry or local government, such as the Waterworks Bureau (水道局). Can be translated as 'bureau' or 'department'.
Referring to a municipal or prefectural government office, like a city hall or ward office.
City hall or municipal office. The administrative center for a city.
I went to the city hall to get a certificate of residence.
Ward office, for one of the wards (区) in a designated city. Similar to a city hall but for a smaller administrative division.
Town hall, for a town (町). Used in smaller municipalities.
Village office, for a village (村). Used in rural areas.
省 (しょう) is used for the highest-level ministries (e.g., 外務省 Ministry of Foreign Affairs). 庁 (ちょう) is used for important agencies that may be external bureaus of a ministry (e.g., 国税庁 National Tax Agency) or independent agencies (e.g., 警察庁 National Police Agency). 局 (きょく) is often a bureau within a ministry or local government (e.g., 観光局 Tourism Bureau). The hierarchy is generally 省 > 庁 > 局, but there are exceptions.
The English word 'agency' is often translated as 機関 (きかん) or 庁 (ちょう), but not all 'agencies' are 機関. For example, a travel agency is 旅行会社 (りょこうがいしゃ), not a government agency. Always consider the context.
The National Tax Agency is an external bureau of the Ministry of Finance.
Please contact the Waterworks Bureau at the city hall.
この手続きは区役所でできます。
You can do this procedure at the ward office.
町役場で税金を払った。
I paid my taxes at the town hall.
The village office is very small.