閣かく外がい相しょう

noun

minister outside the cabinet; junior minister

A government minister who is not a member of the cabinet; often holds a specific portfolio but does not attend cabinet meetings. Used in Japanese political contexts.

• 彼かれは閣かく外がい相しょうとして環かん境きょう問もん題だいを担たん当とうしている。

  He is in charge of environmental issues as a minister outside the cabinet.