chief factor; chief trader
Historical term for the head of a trading post (商館) in early modern Japan, especially during the Edo period. Refers to the senior representative of a foreign trading company.
See also: 商館
The Dutch chief factor at Dejima played an important diplomatic role during the Edo period.
Compound of 商館 (trading post) and 長 (head, chief). The term is historically associated with foreign trade in early modern Japan.