Japanese Business Glossary

診療報酬 (shinryo hoshu) refers to medical treatment fees or medical service fees in Japan. It is the reimbursement given to medical institutions, such as hospitals and clinics, for the medical services they provide to patients.

This fee is regulated by the Japanese government and is part of the country's healthcare insurance system. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare sets the fees, which are reviewed and revised periodically. This system ensures that medical costs are standardized and controlled across the country, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all citizens.

Medical institutions claim these fees based on the treatments and services rendered, and they are reimbursed according to the fixed fee schedule. This helps maintain consistency and fairness in medical billing practices throughout Japan.

当座預金 (toza yokin) refers to a current account or checking account in Japan. This type of bank account is designed for frequent transactions and allows account holders to deposit and withdraw money easily, make payments, and write checks.

Toza yokin is primarily used by businesses and organizations for managing their day-to-day financial operations. Unlike savings accounts, current accounts typically do not earn interest. However, they offer greater flexibility and liquidity, making them ideal for handling routine financial activities such as paying suppliers, receiving customer payments, and managing payroll.

Features of toza yokin include the ability to write checks, access to overdraft facilities, and the convenience of electronic funds transfers. Account holders can also use online banking services to monitor transactions and manage their accounts efficiently.

作文 (sakubun) is a Japanese term that means "composition" or "essay." In the context of education, it refers to writing practice, where students create essays or written pieces to improve their writing skills.

These compositions can vary in length and complexity, and they are used in various educational levels, from elementary school to university. The practice of writing sakubun helps students develop their language abilities, express their thoughts clearly, and organize their ideas logically.

重宝 (choho) is a Japanese term that translates to "treasure" or "valuable" in English. It is used to describe something that is highly valued, useful, or cherished. This term can be applied to both tangible items, like precious objects or valuable possessions, and intangible things, like useful information or valuable advice.

In business contexts, choho might be used to refer to a valuable employee, a helpful tool, or important information that significantly benefits the organization.

過不足 (kafusoku) is a Japanese term that translates to "excess and deficiency" in English. It generally refers to the state of having either too much or too little of something. In various contexts, it can denote imbalance or discrepancy.

In accounting and financial contexts, kafusoku can refer to discrepancies in financial statements or accounts, indicating either surplus or deficit that needs to be addressed.

For instance, in a business setting, if an inventory check shows more or fewer items than recorded, this discrepancy is a kafusoku. The company would need to investigate and correct the discrepancy to ensure accurate records.

前受金 (maeukekin) refers to "advance received" or "prepayment" in English. This term is used in accounting and finance to describe money received by a company from its customers before the goods or services have been delivered or rendered.

In the context of Japanese business, maeukekin is recorded as a liability on the company's balance sheet. This is because the company owes the goods or services to the customer in the future.

A customer pays for goods or services before receiving them. The company records this payment as maeukekin (liability) because the company still needs to fulfill its obligation to the customer. Once the goods or services are delivered, the liability is removed, and the revenue is recognized.

This practice ensures accurate financial reporting and helps manage cash flow by tracking money received in advance.