表おもて看かん板ばん

noun

sign out front; front (for someone)

Literally a signboard displayed outside a shop or business. Figuratively, it refers to a person or thing used as a public front to conceal real activities or identity.

• あの店みせの表おもて看かん板ばんには大おおきく「ラーメン」と書かいてある。

  The sign out front of that shop says 'Ramen' in big letters.

• 彼かれは表おもて看かん板ばんに過すぎず、実じっ際さいの経けい営えい者しゃは別べつにいる。

  He is just a front; the real manager is someone else.