三さん等とう重じゅう役やく

noun

third-rate company director; executive in name only

Derogatory term for a director or executive with little real authority or competence, often a figurehead. Used in business contexts.

• 彼かれは会かい議ぎで何なにも発はつ言げんしない、まさに三さん等とう重じゅう役やくだ。

  He never says anything in meetings; he's a classic third-rate director.

• あの会かい社しゃの役やく員いんはほとんど三さん等とう重じゅう役やくで、実じっ権けんは社しゃ長ちょう一人ひとりにある。

  Most of the executives at that company are figureheads; the president holds all the real power.