Translation guide
A member of a council, especially in local government. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of council and context. The most common equivalent is 議員 (giin), but more specific terms exist.
A member of a city, town, or ward council.
General term for a member of any assembly or council. Often used with a prefix to specify the council type.
彼は市議会議員です。
He is a city councillor.
Abbreviation of 市議会議員, commonly used in news and conversation.
市議の選挙が近い。
The city councillor election is coming up.
General term for a local assembly member, covering prefectural, city, town, and village levels.
地方議員の仕事は多岐にわたる。
The work of a local councillor is diverse.
A member of a prefectural assembly.
Abbreviation of 県議会議員, used for prefectural assembly members.
県議として活動しています。
I work as a prefectural councillor.
Used for councillors in Osaka and Kyoto prefectures, which are designated as 府 (fu).
大阪府議の任期は4年です。
The term of an Osaka prefectural councillor is four years.
Used only for Hokkaido prefectural assembly members.
北海道議会の道議は100人以上いる。
There are over 100 Hokkaido prefectural councillors.
A member of a council in a non-governmental context, such as a school board or advisory council.
Used for members of advisory councils, boards of trustees, or school councils.
学校評議員として意見を述べた。
I gave my opinion as a school councillor.
Often used for board members or directors, but can translate to 'councillor' in some organizational contexts.
彼は協会の理事を務めている。
He serves as a councillor of the association.
A councillor in a historical or non-Japanese context, such as a privy councillor or Soviet councillor.
Advisor or consultant, sometimes used for historical positions like privy councillor.
枢密顧問官は国王の諮問に答えた。
The privy councillor answered the king's inquiry.
Can be used for Soviet-style councils (soviets).
議員 (giin) is the default for elected members of public assemblies (national, prefectural, municipal). 評議員 (hyōgiin) is used for appointed or selected members of advisory or governing boards in organizations like schools, foundations, or professional associations.
The English word 'councillor' can refer to many roles. Always check the specific context (local government, school board, advisory panel) before choosing a Japanese term. Using 議員 for a school board member would be incorrect.
ソビエトの評議員は労働者から選ばれた。
Soviet councillors were elected from the workers.