shadow cabinet; opposition party executive
Refers to a group of senior opposition members who would form the cabinet if their party came to power. Used in Japanese political contexts, similar to the UK shadow cabinet.
The opposition party announced the lineup of its shadow cabinet.
The shadow cabinet minister criticized the budget proposal.
Literally 'next cabinet', a calque from English 'shadow cabinet'. The term is used in Japanese politics to describe the opposition's ready-to-go cabinet.