Jomu literally means regular or standing duties, from the idea of a director who handles the company's day-to-day business. In the traditional ranking of inside directors it is the first step above an ordinary director, below senmu. A jomu typically heads a function such as finance, HR or sales, or a large business unit, and reports to the president or a senmu.
The English rendering causes most of the confusion. Japanese companies have long translated jomu torishimariyaku as managing director, which in British usage suggests the chief executive and in investment banking suggests a senior title held by many people. In a Japanese company it is neither: it is a mid-ranking board director. Since the late 1990s many companies have moved these roles off the board into executive officer posts, so a jomu shikko yakuin, managing executive officer, may carry the same rank without a board seat.
As with other ranks, the Companies Act does not define jomu. Whether a jomu is a director, an officer under a mandate or an employee is a matter of the company's design.
What it means for a foreign employer
- "Managing director" on a Japanese card is not a country head. A jomu runs a function or business inside a larger company. Map on scope: people, budget, reporting line.
- It can still be a big job. A jomu at a large manufacturer may run a business larger than your entire Japan operation. Do not underestimate the candidate either.
- Check for an employee's retirement allowance. Executives who became officers or directors are sometimes paid out their employee retirement allowance on appointment, which affects how they value a move.
- Officer terms are short. One-year or two-year appointments make some jomu open to a conversation, especially near reappointment.
Sources
- Companies Act (statutory directors and executive officers); ranked titles are company practice.