犬が警戒する静かな場所でセンムに会いに行く

What does “senmu” mean in a Japanese company?

専務 (senmu) is a senior executive title in a Japanese company — a “senior managing director” who assists the president and helps steer the whole business. In the hierarchy it sits high: below the 社長 (shachō), “president,” and 副社長 (“vice-president”), but above the 常務 (jōmu), the managing director who handles day-to-day operations. Going to meet the 専務 means going to meet one of the top bosses.

Japanese firms have a well-defined ladder, and knowing the rungs lets you read a business card at a glance: 会長 (chairman) → 社長 (president) → 副社長 → 専務 → 常務 → 部長 (department head) → 課長 (section chief). These titles double as forms of address, too — colleagues will call someone 専務 directly instead of using their name.