上じょう意い

noun

will of a superior; decree; emperor's wishes

Historical term referring to the will or decree of a shogun, emperor, or other high authority. In modern contexts, it can be used metaphorically or in formal writing to mean 'orders from above'.

• 上じょう意いに背そむくことは許ゆるされなかった。

  Disobeying the shogun's decree was not permitted.

• 上じょう意い下か達たつの組そ織しきでは、現げん場ばの声こえが届とどきにくい。

  In a top-down organization, voices from the front line are hard to convey.