Assistant Vice-Minister; Deputy Director-General; Councillor
A senior government position in Japanese ministries and agencies, roughly equivalent to a deputy director-general or assistant vice-minister. The exact English title varies by organization.
He was appointed as a Deputy Director-General at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
As a Councillor, he is involved in drafting new policies.
局長 is a Director-General, typically a higher rank than 審議官, though the hierarchy can vary.
Compound of 審議 (deliberation) and 官 (official). The term originated in the Japanese government bureaucracy to designate senior officials responsible for policy deliberation and coordination.