Japanese Business Glossary

請負 (ukeoi), a contract for work or a contracting agreement, is a business arrangement where one party, the contractor, agrees to complete a specific job or project for another party, the client, for a predetermined price.

In this type of agreement, the contractor is responsible for providing the necessary labor, materials, and equipment to complete the project. The contractor typically has control over how the work is performed and is responsible for the outcome, meeting the client's specifications and deadlines.

This type of contract is commonly used in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and IT services, where specific projects or tasks need to be completed within a set timeframe and budget.

法人番号 (houjin bangou) is a unique identifier assigned to companies and other legal entities by the National Tax Agency. This number is used for various administrative and tax-related purposes.

The corporate number is a 13-digit identifier and is essential for businesses operating in Japan. It facilitates smooth transactions and interactions with government agencies, streamlines tax procedures, and enhances transparency.

Entities that receive a corporate number include corporations, limited liability companies, public organizations, and non-profit organizations. The number is publicly accessible and can be used to verify the existence and details of a company.

法人税法 (hojin zeiho) refers to the Corporation Tax Act or Corporate Tax Law in Japan. This law governs the taxation of corporations and other legal entities in Japan. It outlines the rules and regulations for calculating, reporting, and paying corporate taxes, including the determination of taxable income, allowable deductions, tax rates, and filing requirements. The Corporate Tax Law ensures that corporations comply with their tax obligations and contribute to the public revenue.

源泉徴収額 (gensen choshūgaku) means the withholding tax amount. This term refers to the amount of tax that is withheld at the source of income, such as wages, salaries, or payments to contractors in Japan. The employer or payer deducts this tax amount from the payment and remits it directly to the tax authorities on behalf of the employee or payee. This system ensures that taxes are collected regularly and helps to prevent tax evasion. The withheld tax is then credited against the total tax liability of the individual or entity when they file their annual tax return.

受領書 (juryosho) refers to a receipt or acknowledgment of receipt. This document serves as proof that goods, services, or payments have been received. It typically includes details such as the date of receipt, the name of the recipient, the description of the items or services received, and the signature of the receiving party. Receipts are important for record-keeping and can be used for accounting, auditing, or resolving any disputes that may arise regarding the transaction. In business, providing and obtaining juryosho ensures transparency and accountability in financial and material exchanges.

役務提供 (ekimutēkyo) means the provision of services in Japanese. This term is used in the context of business and legal transactions in Japan, where it describes the act of providing services to a client or customer. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including professional services, consulting, maintenance, repair, and other forms of non-tangible support or assistance that do not involve the sale of physical goods.