Japanese Business Glossary

社会保険 (shakai hoken) refers to social insurance in Japan. It is a comprehensive system designed to provide financial security and support for individuals and families in various situations, such as illness, injury, childbirth, retirement, and unemployment. The social insurance system in Japan is composed of several key programs.

Health insurance (健康保険, Kenko Hoken) covers medical expenses for illnesses, injuries, and childbirth. Both employees and employers contribute to the premiums, and the insurance covers a significant portion of medical costs, with the insured person paying a smaller co-payment.

Pension insurance (年金保険, Nenkin Hoken) provides financial support during retirement. There are two main types of pension insurance: the National Pension (国民年金, Kokumin Nenkin) for self-employed individuals, students, and those not covered by employer-based insurance, and the Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険, Kosei Nenkin Hoken) for salaried workers. Contributions are made by both employees and employers.

Unemployment insurance (雇用保険, Koyo Hoken) provides financial assistance to individuals who lose their jobs. It offers unemployment benefits, job training, and other support services to help unemployed individuals find new employment. Both employers and employees contribute to this insurance.

Workers' compensation insurance (労災保険, Rosai Hoken) covers work-related injuries and illnesses. It provides medical care, compensation for lost wages, and benefits for permanent disabilities or death resulting from workplace accidents. Employers are responsible for paying the premiums for this insurance.

Contributions to social insurance programs are typically deducted from employees' salaries, and employers also contribute a portion. The collected funds are used to provide benefits and services to eligible individuals.

In summary, shakai hoken in Japan is a social insurance system that includes health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation insurance, offering financial support and security for various life situations.

転貸 (tentai) refers to subleasing or subletting in Japan. This term is used when a tenant who is renting a property from a landlord rents out the same property, or a part of it, to another party. The original tenant becomes the sublessor, and the new tenant becomes the sublessee.

In a typical lease agreement, the tenant agrees to certain terms and conditions set by the landlord. If the tenant wishes to sublease the property, they generally need to obtain the landlord's permission, as most lease agreements include clauses that restrict or regulate subleasing. Without the landlord's consent, subleasing can be considered a breach of contract, which may result in legal consequences or termination of the lease.

Subleasing can be beneficial in various situations. For example, if the original tenant needs to move out temporarily or permanently but does not want to break the lease, subleasing can provide a way to cover the rent and maintain the lease agreement. The sublessee pays rent to the sublessor, who remains responsible for fulfilling the original lease terms with the landlord.

In summary, 転貸 (Tentai) is the practice of subleasing, where a tenant rents out a property they are leasing to another party. It typically requires the landlord's permission and involves a separate agreement between the original tenant and the sublessee.

貸与 (taiyo) refers to the act of lending or providing something on loan in Japan. This term is commonly used in both business and personal contexts to describe the temporary provision of goods, assets, or resources to another party under agreed terms and conditions.

In a business context, taiyo can involve various scenarios, such as a company lending equipment, tools, or vehicles to its employees or another business. For example, a company might provide laptops to its employees for work purposes, or a construction firm might lend machinery to a subcontractor for a specific project. The terms of lending, including the duration, responsibilities, and conditions for returning the lent items, are usually specified in a contract or agreement.

In personal contexts, taiyo might refer to lending items like books, money, or personal belongings to friends or family members. The same principles apply: the lender expects the item to be returned in its original condition after a certain period or upon fulfillment of agreed conditions.

taiyo differs from renting or leasing in that it usually does not involve regular payments or fees for the use of the item. Instead, it focuses on the temporary transfer of possession with the expectation of return.

In summary, taiyo is the act of lending or providing something on loan, commonly used in both business and personal contexts to describe the temporary provision of goods, assets, or resources under agreed terms and conditions, with the expectation that the lent items will be returned.

玉串料 (tamagushiryo) refers to a monetary offering made at Shinto shrines in Japan. It is a donation given by worshippers during religious ceremonies or visits to the shrine, typically presented as part of a ritual to show respect and gratitude to the deities.

The term tamagushi refers to a sacred offering made of a branch of the sakaki tree, decorated with strips of paper or cloth. In modern practice, instead of offering the physical tamagushi, worshippers often make a monetary donation called tamagushiryo.

This offering is commonly made during various Shinto ceremonies such as weddings, blessings, and other religious events. The amount of the donation can vary depending on the occasion and the financial situation of the worshipper. The act of giving tamagushiryo is considered a gesture of faith and reverence, helping to support the upkeep and activities of the shrine.

In summary, tamagushiryo is a monetary offering made at Shinto shrines as part of religious practices, symbolizing respect and gratitude to the deities and supporting the shrine's functions.

当該 (togai) is a Japanese term used to refer to a specific subject, object, or matter being discussed or indicated. It translates to "the relevant" or "the concerned" in English and is often used in formal writing, legal documents, and official contexts to specify the particular item or issue in question.

For example, in legal texts, togai might be used to refer to "the relevant law" or "the concerned party." In business documents, it could refer to "the relevant department" or "the concerned contract."

In summary, togai is a term used to denote the specific subject, object, or matter that is relevant to the context of the discussion or document.

諮問機関 (shimon kikan) refers to an advisory body or consultative committee in Japan. This type of organization is established to provide expert advice, recommendations, and guidance to governmental bodies, institutions, or organizations on various issues and policies.

Advisory bodies typically consist of experts, scholars, industry professionals, and other stakeholders who possess specialized knowledge and experience in the relevant field. They are convened to review and analyze specific topics, conduct research, and offer informed opinions to aid in decision-making processes.

The role of an advisory body can vary depending on its mandate, but it generally includes tasks such as evaluating policies, proposing new initiatives, assessing the impact of existing regulations, and providing strategic insights. These bodies do not have decision-making power but influence the decisions made by the governing entities they advise.

In summary, shimon kikan is an advisory body in Japan that provides expert advice and recommendations to help inform decision-making processes within governmental and organizational contexts.