noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
amakudari; golden parachute into private sector
Refers to the practice of high-ranking bureaucrats retiring into well-paid positions in private or semi-private companies they once regulated. Often carries a critical or political tone.
天下りは長年問題視されてきた。
Amakudari has been regarded as a problem for many years.
彼は財務省から大
He parachuted from the Ministry of Finance into a major bank.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
top-down order; imposition from above
Used when a decision or command is handed down from a higher authority without room for discussion. Often implies a unilateral, non-negotiable directive.
その方針は完全な天下りだった。
That policy was a complete top-down imposition.
上司からの天下り的な指示には従うしかなかった。
I had no choice but to follow the order handed down from my boss.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
descent from heaven
Original literal meaning, referring to a god or divine being descending from the heavens. Now mostly encountered in mythological or literary contexts.
古事記には神の天下りが描かれている。
The Kojiki depicts the descent of gods from heaven.