noun
civil servants; bureaucrats
Refers to government officials or civil servants, often contrasted with uniformed personnel (e.g., police, military).
背広組の官僚が新しい政策を説明した。
The suit-wearing bureaucrats explained the new policy.
noun
the suits; suit-wearing group
Colloquial term for white-collar workers or officials in suits, often used in contrast to uniformed staff (制服組).
See also: 制服組
警察では、背広組と制服組の間に対立があると言われる。
In the police, there is said to be friction between the suits and the uniformed officers.
Compound of 背広 (sebiro, 'business suit') and 組 (gumi, 'group'). The word 背広 itself is said to derive from London's Savile Row, a street known for tailoring.