noun
minister outside the cabinet; junior minister
A government minister who is not a member of the cabinet; often holds a specific portfolio but does not attend cabinet meetings. Used in Japanese political contexts.
彼は閣外相として環境問題を担当している。
He is in charge of environmental issues as a minister outside the cabinet.
閣僚 refers to cabinet ministers collectively. 閣外相 is explicitly excluded from the cabinet.
Compound of 閣 (かく, 'cabinet') + 外 (がい, 'outside') + 相 (しょう, 'minister'). The term directly describes a minister who is outside the cabinet.