Japanese Business Glossary

In Japanese, the term 経費 (keihi) refers to "expenses" or "business expenses." These are the costs incurred in the process of running a business. Keihi can include a wide range of expenditures such as rent for office space, utilities like electricity, water, and internet, employee salaries and wages, office supplies, travel expenses, marketing and advertising costs, and depreciation of assets. Properly tracking and managing keihi is essential for maintaining accurate financial records, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. In Japan, businesses must be meticulous in documenting and categorizing their expenses to maximize tax deductions and maintain transparency with the tax authorities.

滞納 (tainou) refers to the failure to pay taxes or other required payments by the due date. This can lead to several consequences depending on the type of payment and the length of the delay.

For example, if national health insurance premiums are overdue, the individual might initially receive reminders and then a "資格証明書" (qualification certificate) instead of a regular insurance card, requiring them to pay medical costs upfront and seek reimbursement later. Continued non-payment can result in loss of benefits, such as high-cost medical expense coverage, and potentially lead to asset seizure if the overdue amounts remain unpaid​.

In the case of local taxes like resident tax, late payments result in additional charges called 延滞金 (entairyou), which accumulate daily based on the amount owed and the length of the delay. Persistent non-payment can lead to more severe actions, including the seizure of assets like bank accounts or property.

For fixed asset taxes, the penalties are similar. An initial interest rate is applied for the first month of delay, which increases significantly after this period. If payments are not made even after receiving several reminders, the authorities may ultimately seize assets to cover the unpaid taxes​

特段 (tokudan) is a Japanese term that translates to "special" or "particular" in English. It is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary or requires specific attention. For example, you might hear it in phrases like 特段の事情 (tokudan no jijou), meaning "special circumstances," or 特段の理由 (tokudan no riyuu), meaning "particular reason."

In business contexts, 特段 might be used to refer to exceptional conditions or considerations that need to be addressed separately from the usual procedures or rules.

担保 (tanpo) is a Japanese term that translates to "collateral" or "security" in English. In a financial context, 担保 refers to an asset or property that a borrower offers to a lender as security for a loan. If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender has the right to seize the collateral to recover the owed amount.

For example, when taking out a mortgage, the property itself often serves as the 担保. This practice helps lenders reduce the risk of lending money, as they have a way to recoup their losses if the borrower defaults on the loan.

償却資産 (shoukyaku shisan) is a Japanese term that translates to "depreciable assets" or "amortizable assets" in English. It refers to tangible fixed assets that are subject to depreciation over time due to wear and tear, obsolescence, or usage.

Examples of 償却資産 include machinery, equipment, buildings, and vehicles. These assets are capitalized on a company's balance sheet and their cost is gradually expensed through depreciation over their useful life. This accounting practice helps in matching the cost of the asset with the revenue it generates, providing a more accurate picture of a company's financial performance.

棚卸資産 (tanaoroshi shisan) is a Japanese term that translates to "inventory assets" or "stock assets" in English. It refers to the goods and materials that a company holds for the purpose of resale or production. These assets include raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods that are ready for sale.

In accounting, 棚卸資産 are considered current assets and are an important part of a company's balance sheet. Proper management and valuation of inventory assets are crucial for accurate financial reporting and efficient business operations. The value of these assets is assessed periodically through inventory counts and valuation methods, such as FIFO (First-In, First-Out) or LIFO (Last-In, First-Out).