Japanese Business Glossary

In Japanese, 手当 (teate) typically refers to various forms of allowances, benefits, or compensations provided to employees by their employer. These can include family allowance, which is support provided for employees with dependents, housing allowance, which is assistance with housing costs, and commuting allowance, which covers commuting expenses. It also includes overtime allowance, which is compensation for overtime work, holiday work allowance, which is extra pay for working on holidays, and special allowances, which are various other types of allowances depending on the company's policies and the nature of the work. These allowances are meant to support employees in their personal and professional lives and can vary widely from company to company.

企業年金 (kigyo nenkin) refers to corporate pensions in Japan. These are retirement plans set up by companies to provide financial support to their employees after retirement. Corporate pensions in Japan can be categorized into two main types: Defined Benefit (DB) plans and Defined Contribution (DC) plans.

In a Defined Benefit plan, the employer guarantees a specific retirement benefit amount, which is usually based on the employee's salary and years of service. The employer is responsible for managing the investment and bearing the investment risk.

In a Defined Contribution plan, the employer and/or employee contribute a fixed amount to the pension plan, but the retirement benefit amount depends on the investment performance of those contributions. The employee bears the investment risk in this case.

Corporate pensions are an important part of the overall retirement system in Japan, complementing the public pension scheme (Kosei Nenkin) to provide financial security for retirees.

地方自治体 (chiho jichitai) refers to local governments in Japan. These local governments are responsible for managing various public services and administrative functions within their designated areas. There are two main types of local governments in Japan: prefectures and municipalities. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which include one to (Tokyo), one do (Hokkaido), two fu (Osaka and Kyoto), and 43 ken (other prefectures). Municipalities are smaller administrative units within the prefectures and include cities, towns, and villages.

Local governments have the authority to create and enforce local regulations, manage local public services like education, transportation, and welfare, and handle administrative tasks such as tax collection and local infrastructure development. They play a crucial role in addressing the specific needs of their communities.

所得証明 (shotoku shomei) translates to "income certificate" in English. It is an official document issued by the local government or tax office in Japan. This document certifies an individual's income for a specified period, usually the previous year. The income certificate is often required for various purposes such as applying for loans or credit, renting an apartment, enrolling children in schools, applying for social benefits, and proving income for visa applications. To obtain an income certificate, you typically need to apply at your local city hall or ward office. You may be required to present identification and pay a small fee. Some municipalities also allow online applications for income certificates.

ネット銀行 (netto ginko) refers to an online bank in Japan. These banks operate primarily through the internet, offering most of their services online rather than through physical branches. Customers can access banking services anytime and anywhere through their computers or smartphones. This includes checking account balances, transferring money, paying bills, and more.

Since online banks do not have the overhead costs associated with maintaining physical branches, they often offer lower fees and higher interest rates on savings accounts compared to traditional banks. Online banks employ advanced security measures to protect customers' information and transactions. This includes encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure login processes.

Some well-known ネット銀行 in Japan include Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank, and SBI Sumishin Net Bank. These banks provide a wide range of financial services similar to those offered by traditional banks. While there are no physical branches, net banks typically offer robust customer support through online chat, email, and phone services to assist with any issues or inquiries.

Overall, ネット銀行 offers a modern and flexible banking solution for individuals who prefer managing their finances digitally.

In Japanese, 資料 (shiryo) means "materials" or "documents." It often refers to written or printed information that is used for reference, study, or presentation purposes. This can include reports, data, records, or any other kind of informational resources.