noun
senior official; high-ranking government official
Historical term used in the pre-war Japanese government system, referring to officials of higher rank, roughly equivalent to modern senior civil servants or high-ranking bureaucrats.
戦前の日本では、高等官は天皇が直接任命した。
In pre-war Japan, senior officials were appointed directly by the Emperor.
Modern term for high-ranking bureaucrats; 高等官 is a historical term from the pre-war period.
Compound of 高等 (high class, high rank) and 官 (government official). The term was used in the Meiji through early Showa periods to denote senior civil service positions.