名めい目もく上じょう

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb

nominal; in name only

Describes a situation where something is officially or formally the case, but not in reality. Often used with titles, positions, or statuses that lack real power or substance.

• 彼かれは名めい目もく上じょうの社しゃ長ちょうに過すぎない。

  He is merely the nominal president.

• その会かい社しゃは名めい目もく上じょうは独どく立りつしているが、実じっ際さいは大だい企き業ぎょうの子こ会がい社しゃだ。

  The company is nominally independent, but in reality it's a subsidiary of a large corporation.