Japanese Business Glossary

The term 編曲家 (henkyokuka) refers to a music arranger or orchestrator in Japanese. This role involves taking a piece of music and arranging it for performance by various instruments or voices. The arranger might modify the melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation to suit a particular performance, ensemble, or artistic vision.

The term 斡旋 (assen) in Japanese generally means "mediation" or "intermediation." It involves acting as an intermediary to help facilitate an agreement or arrangement between two or more parties. This can be in various contexts such as business negotiations, employment, or dispute resolution.

In a business context, assen might involve a third party helping to broker a deal between companies or assisting in finding suitable job candidates for a company. In labor disputes, assen can refer to mediation services to help resolve conflicts between employers and employees.

仲裁 (chusai) is the Japanese term for "arbitration." Arbitration is a method of dispute resolution where the parties involved agree to submit their conflict to one or more arbitrators, who make a binding decision on the matter. It is an alternative to going to court and can be a faster and more flexible way to resolve disputes.

In Japan, arbitration is governed by the Arbitration Act, which is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. The Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) is one of the prominent organizations that administers arbitration proceedings in Japan.

奉公 (hoko) is a Japanese term that historically refers to a form of service or duty, often associated with loyalty and dedication. This concept was particularly relevant during the feudal era in Japan, where it described the service that samurai or retainers provided to their lords.

In modern times, the term can be understood more broadly as a form of service or work that is carried out with a sense of loyalty, dedication, and responsibility. It emphasizes the values of commitment and dutiful service in various contexts, such as employment, community service, or any form of contribution to a group or organization.

引き抜き (hikihuki) refers to the practice of "headhunting" or "poaching" employees from other companies. This involves recruiting key personnel, often those who hold crucial positions or possess specialized skills, from one company to another.

In Japan, this practice is sensitive due to cultural factors and the emphasis on long-term employment and loyalty. Headhunting can be seen as a disruption to these values and may lead to legal or reputational issues if not handled carefully.

仮装 (kasou) in Japanese means "costume" or "disguise." It often refers to dressing up in costumes for events such as Halloween, cosplay, or themed parties. People wear kasou to transform their appearance, often into characters from anime, manga, movies, or other popular media. This practice is especially popular in Japan's cosplay culture, where enthusiasts dress up as their favorite characters and attend conventions or photoshoots.