noun
right-hand man; trusted assistant; second-in-command
Refers to a person who supports a leader or manager from a close, behind-the-scenes position, like a chief of staff or deputy. The literal meaning is 'wife role', but it is used for both men and women in a professional context.
社長の女房役として、彼は会社の実務を支えている。
As the president's right-hand man, he supports the company's practical operations.
彼女は部長の女房役を務め、スケジュール管理から交渉までこなす。
She serves as the department head's trusted assistant, handling everything from scheduling to negotiations.
補佐 is a more formal term for 'assistant' or 'aide', often used in official titles (e.g., 部長補佐). 女房役 is more colloquial and implies a closer, more personal working relationship.
Compound of 女房 (wife) and 役 (role). The term originally referred to the supportive role of a wife in a household, and by extension came to mean a trusted assistant who handles internal affairs for a leader.