Japanese Business Glossary

時価 (jika) refers to the current market value or fair market value of an asset. This term is used in accounting, finance, and real estate to represent the price at which an asset would trade in a competitive auction setting.

Jika is the value that buyers are willing to pay and sellers are willing to accept in an open market. It reflects the most accurate and up-to-date valuation of an asset, considering supply and demand dynamics, economic conditions, and other relevant factors. In financial statements, jika can be used for valuing investments, real estate properties, or other assets to ensure they are accurately represented according to their true market worth.

調書 (chōsho) refers to a written report or statement, often used in legal, financial, or administrative contexts in Japan. It typically includes detailed records or documentation of specific information, events, transactions, or testimonies.

In legal settings, chosho may be used to document witness statements, police reports, or court proceedings. In financial and business contexts, it can refer to records of transactions, audits, or tax-related documents.

相続割合 (sōzoku wariai) refers to the inheritance share or the proportion of an estate that each heir is entitled to receive under Japanese inheritance law. This ratio determines how the deceased person's assets and liabilities are divided among the heirs.

The distribution of an estate is governed by the Civil Code of Japan, which specifies the legal shares based on the relationship of the heirs to the deceased. For example, if the deceased has a spouse and children, the estate is typically divided with the spouse receiving one-half and the children collectively receiving the other half. If there are no children, parents or siblings may be entitled to a share of the inheritance.

The exact inheritance share can be influenced by factors such as the presence of a will, the number of heirs, and specific agreements among the heirs. In cases where a will exists, the deceased may have specified different proportions, as long as the legal requirements for reserved portions (遺留分 = iryūbun) are met, which ensures that certain close relatives receive a minimum share of the estate.

電子商取引 (denshi shōtorihiki) refers to electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce. This term encompasses all forms of buying and selling goods and services over the internet or other electronic networks. E-commerce includes various types of transactions, such as online retail (business-to-consumer, or B2C), business-to-business (B2B) sales, consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platforms, and consumer-to-business (C2B) models.

Denshi shōtorihiki involves multiple activities, including online marketing, electronic payment processing, order management, and logistics. It has significantly transformed the traditional retail landscape by offering convenience, broader reach, and often lower costs for both businesses and consumers. Common platforms for denshi shōtorihiki include online marketplaces like Amazon and Rakuten, individual e-commerce websites, and social media platforms that facilitate commercial transactions.

税込 (zeikomi) refers to "tax included" in Japanese. It indicates that the displayed price of a product or service already includes the consumption tax, which is similar to a sales tax. This term is commonly used in retail, advertising, and pricing to inform consumers that no additional tax will be added to the stated price at the point of sale.

In Japan, the consumption tax rate is typically included in the displayed prices to provide transparency and clarity for consumers. When you see a price labeled as 税込, you can be confident that the total amount you will pay is exactly what is shown, with the consumption tax already factored in.

貯金通帳 (chokin tsūchō) refers to a bankbook or passbook in Japanese. This physical booklet is provided by banks to account holders to keep a record of their savings account transactions. It includes details such as deposits, withdrawals, interest earned, and the current balance.

When you conduct transactions at an ATM or with a bank teller, these activities are recorded in your chokin tsūchō, providing an up-to-date and easily accessible log of your account activity. The bankbook serves as a useful tool for managing finances, tracking your savings, and verifying account activity. It is a common practice in Japan, especially among those who prefer a tangible record of their banking transactions.