elder statesman; doyen; veteran authority
Refers to a senior, respected figure in a field or organization, often with long experience and informal influence. Not limited to politics.
He is respected as an elder statesman of the political world.
The doyen of that academic society gave a commemorative lecture.
genrō (Meiji-era elder statesman)
Historical term for the small group of senior statesmen who informally advised the emperor from the Meiji period until the early Shōwa era. Not used for modern political advisors.
Itō Hirobumi, one of the genrō, was deeply involved in the establishment of the Meiji Constitution.
He is known as the elder statesman of the political world.
As an elder statesman, he gave advice to the younger members.