常務（じょうむ、joumu）
- managing director

The Japanese word 常務, pronounced じょうむ (jōmu), refers to an executive position in a company, typically translated as "Managing Director," "Senior Managing Director," or "Executive Managing Director" in English. The exact scope of responsibilities and authority held by a 常務 can vary depending on the size and structure of the company. However, generally, a 常務 is a senior-level executive who reports to the president (社長, shachō) or other higher-ranking officers like the vice president (副社長, fuku-shachō). They often oversee a specific department or area of the company's operations and are involved in major decision-making. The word 常務 implies a significant level of responsibility and experience. The position is higher than 部長 (buchō - department manager) but lower than 副社長 (fuku-shachō - vice president). 常務

⚫︎ 彼は常務として、営業部門を統括している。 Translation: He oversees the sales department as a Managing Director. ⚫︎ 新しい常務が、経営戦略について発表した。 Translation: The new Managing Director announced the management strategy. ⚫︎ 当社は、常務会を開いて、今後の事業計画を話し合った。 Translation: Our company held an executive board meeting to discuss future business plans.

You use 常務 when referring to someone's job title or when talking about an executive-level person within a company. It's used in formal business settings, such as company reports, announcements, or general business conversations. You can use it when addressing the person, but it's more common to use their name with the title, like 山田常務(Yamada jōmu - Managing Director Yamada).

常務 is typically written in kanji. The reading, じょうむ, is the on'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) of the kanji. There are no variations in okurigana. It is consistently written 常務.

⚫︎ 専務(senmu) - Senior Managing Director (often considered a higher rank than 常務) ⚫︎ 役員(yakuin) - Executive ⚫︎ 幹部(kanbu) - Executive; Management

⚫︎ There is no single direct antonym. The opposite could be positions lower down in the company hierarchy. ⚫︎ 平社員(hirashain) - Ordinary employee ⚫︎ 社員(shain) - Employee

田中常務は、海外事業の拡大に力を入れている。 ・Translation: Managing Director Tanaka is focusing on expanding overseas business. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the activities of a 常務, specifically focusing on a company initiative.

常務会で、新しいプロジェクトの承認を得た。 ・Translation: Approval for the new project was obtained at the executive board meeting. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates the role of the 常務 in decision-making and project approval.

The word 常務 is composed of two kanji: 常(jō), meaning "always," "usual," or "constant," and 務(mu), meaning "duty," "service," or "business." The combination implies a constant and important duty or responsibility within a company.