also: かん · こう
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
director; chief (ritsuryō system)
Historical term for the highest of the four administrative ranks in the ritsuryō system. Archaic in modern usage; encountered mainly in historical texts or discussions of ancient Japanese government.
See also: 四等官
長官は四等官の最上位に位置する役職である。
The 長官 (kami) is the highest post among the four administrative ranks.
Under the ritsuryō system, each ministry had a director (長官).
From 長 (chief) + 官 (official). The reading かみ is the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) for the kanji 長, while かん and こう are Sino-Japanese readings (on'yomi). The term is specific to the ritsuryō system and is not used in modern government.