three top political posts in a ministry; minister, vice minister, and parliamentary secretary
Refers collectively to the three highest political appointees in a Japanese government ministry: the minister (大臣), the senior vice minister (副大臣), and the parliamentary secretary (政務官). Used in political and administrative contexts.
See also: 大臣 (だいじん) · 副大臣 · 政務官
Important policies were decided at the meeting of the three top political posts.
新しい政務三役が任命された。
The new three top political posts were appointed.
Minister; the top political post in a ministry, one of the 政務三役.
Senior vice minister; the second-ranking political post in a ministry, part of the 政務三役.
Parliamentary secretary; the third-ranking political post in a ministry, part of the 政務三役.
Compound of 政務 (political affairs) and 三役 (three highest posts). The term is specific to the Japanese government structure.