noun
parliamentary vice-minister; deputy minister; assistant minister
A political appointee in a Japanese ministry, assisting the minister. The term is specific to the Japanese government system; in other contexts, 'deputy minister' or 'assistant minister' may be used.
彼は外務省の政務次官に任命された。
He was appointed parliamentary vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The parliamentary vice-minister assists the minister in the Diet.