Japanese Business Glossary

手形裏書 (tegata uragaki) refers to the endorsement of a bill of exchange or promissory note in Japanese. This endorsement signifies the transfer of the rights to the document from the original holder (the endorser) to another party (the endorsee).

When a bill of exchange or promissory note is endorsed, the endorser signs the back of the document. This action transfers ownership and the right to receive payment to the endorsee. Endorsements can be used for various purposes, such as settling debts, transferring credit, or as a form of payment in commercial transactions.

Tegata uragaki is a common practice in business and finance, facilitating the smooth transfer of financial instruments and ensuring that obligations are met through an established and recognized process.

決算期 (kessanki) refers to the fiscal period or accounting period in Japanese. It is the specific time frame at the end of which a company or organization prepares its financial statements and reports its financial performance. This period can be annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly, depending on the company's reporting requirements and practices.

The kessanki typically culminates in the preparation of key financial documents such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. These documents provide insights into the company's financial health, profitability, and operational efficiency. The end of the kessanki is a critical time for companies, as they must ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and assessment of their financial position for stakeholders, including investors, creditors, and regulatory authorities.

株式譲渡 (kabushiki joto) refers to the transfer of shares in Japanese. It is the process by which ownership of a company's shares is transferred from one person or entity to another. This can occur through sale, inheritance, gift, or other means of transfer.

The kabushiki joto process involves several steps to ensure that the transfer is legally recognized and properly recorded. The parties involved must agree on the terms of the transfer, including the number of shares, the price, and any conditions. The transfer must be documented and registered with the relevant authorities, such as the company's shareholder register.

In the context of a privately held company, kabushiki joto might require approval from the company's board of directors or other shareholders, depending on the company's articles of incorporation and shareholder agreements. For publicly traded companies, the process is typically more straightforward, involving the transfer of shares through a stock exchange.

評価額 (hyokagaku) refers to the assessed value or appraised value of an asset in Japanese. This term is commonly used in financial and real estate contexts to denote the monetary value assigned to an asset based on an evaluation or appraisal.

The hyokagaku can be determined by various methods, depending on the type of asset and the purpose of the valuation. For real estate, it might involve assessing market conditions, property features, and comparable sales in the area. For financial assets like stocks or bonds, it could involve analyzing market prices, company performance, and economic conditions.

トリガー条項 (toriga joko) refers to a "trigger clause" in Japanese. It is a provision in a contract or agreement that specifies certain conditions or events that will initiate or "trigger" specific actions or consequences.

Trigger clauses are commonly used in various types of contracts, including financial agreements, insurance policies, mergers and acquisitions, and employment contracts. They are designed to provide clarity and certainty about what will happen if certain predefined events occur. For example, in a loan agreement, a trigger clause might specify that if the borrower fails to make a payment on time, a penalty interest rate will apply. In an insurance policy, a trigger clause might define the circumstances under which a payout will be made.

These clauses are important for risk management and contingency planning, as they help parties anticipate and prepare for potential scenarios that could impact their agreement. By clearly outlining the conditions and consequences, trigger clauses reduce ambiguity and disputes, ensuring that all parties understand their rights and obligations.

証券 (shoken) refers to securities in Japanese. Securities are financial instruments that represent some form of financial value. They can be broadly categorized into two main types: equity securities, such as stocks, which represent ownership interest in a company, and debt securities, such as bonds, which represent a loan from the investor to the issuer.

Shoken are used for investment purposes, allowing individuals and institutions to invest in various entities like corporations and governments. They are traded on financial markets, providing liquidity and enabling investors to buy and sell their investments.

In addition to stocks and bonds, shoken can include other financial instruments like mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and derivatives. These instruments play a crucial role in the financial system, facilitating capital formation, investment diversification, and risk management. Understanding 証券 is essential for anyone involved in finance and investing, as they are fundamental tools for building and managing investment portfolios.