top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management
Refers to the senior leadership or decision-making level within a company, government, or other organization. Often used in contexts of policy, decisions, or internal dynamics.
The decision was made by the top brass.
The intentions of the higher-ups aren't reaching the front lines.
Compound of 上層 (じょうそう, 'upper layer') + 部 (ぶ, 'section, division'). The term straightforwardly denotes the upper section or stratum of an organization.