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電子帳簿保存法
[denshi chobo hozon ho] - Electronic Bookkeeping Preservation Act

電子帳簿保存法 (denshi chobo hozon ho), Electronic Bookkeeping Preservation Act, is a Japanese law that allows businesses to store accounting records and transaction documents electronically instead of on paper. The law aims to promote paperless operations and streamline record-keeping processes for businesses. It covers three main types of documents: accounting books like journals and ledgers, transaction documents such as invoices and receipts, and electronic transaction data from internet banking or electronic receipts.

To comply with the law, documents must meet specific requirements, including the ability to track modifications and ensure data integrity. Businesses are required to keep records of all electronic transactions digitally since the law's amendment on January 1, 2022. This means any documents received or sent electronically must be stored in their digital form. The law includes provisions for using time stamps, maintaining records of corrections or deletions, and implementing measures to prevent data tampering. Businesses must be able to search and retrieve these documents efficiently by transaction date, amount, or counterpart.

To comply, businesses need to establish internal procedures and use compliant systems for storing electronic records. This helps improve transparency and accuracy in tax reporting and record-keeping, reducing the risk of errors and fraud.


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See Also

経費   [keihi] - expenses or business expenses

In Japanese, the term 経費 (keihi) refers to "expenses" or "business expenses." These are the costs incurred in the process of running a business. Keihi can include a wide range of expenditures such as rent for office space, utilities like electricity, water, and internet, employee salaries and wages, office supplies, travel expenses, marketing and advertising costs, and depreciation of assets. Properly tracking and managing keihi is essential for maintaining accurate financial records, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. In Japan, businesses must be meticulous in documenting and categorizing their expenses to maximize tax deductions and maintain transparency with the tax authorities.

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滞納   [tainou] - the failure to pay taxes

滞納 (tainou) refers to the failure to pay taxes or other required payments by the due date. This can lead to several consequences depending on the type of payment and the length of the delay.

For example, if national health insurance premiums are overdue, the individual might initially receive reminders and then a "資格証明書" (qualification certificate) instead of a regular insurance card, requiring them to pay medical costs upfront and seek reimbursement later. Continued non-payment can result in loss of benefits, such as high-cost medical expense coverage, and potentially lead to asset seizure if the overdue amounts remain unpaid​.

In the case of local taxes like resident tax, late payments result in additional charges called 延滞金 (entairyou), which accumulate daily based on the amount owed and the length of the delay. Persistent non-payment can lead to more severe actions, including the seizure of assets like bank accounts or property.

For fixed asset taxes, the penalties are similar. An initial interest rate is applied for the first month of delay, which increases significantly after this period. If payments are not made even after receiving several reminders, the authorities may ultimately seize assets to cover the unpaid taxes​

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特段   [tokudan] - special

特段 (tokudan) is a Japanese term that translates to "special" or "particular" in English. It is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary or requires specific attention. For example, you might hear it in phrases like 特段の事情 (tokudan no jijou), meaning "special circumstances," or 特段の理由 (tokudan no riyuu), meaning "particular reason."

In business contexts, 特段 might be used to refer to exceptional conditions or considerations that need to be addressed separately from the usual procedures or rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

電子帳簿保存法 (denshi chobo hozon ho), Electronic Bookkeeping Preservation Act, is a Japanese law that allows businesses to store accounting records and transaction documents electronically instead of on paper. The law aims to promote paperless operations and streamline record-keeping processes for businesses. It covers three main types of documents: accounting books like journals and ledgers, transaction documents such as invoices and receipts, and electronic transaction data from internet banking or electronic receipts.


Electronic bookkeeping preservation act is 電子帳簿保存法 (denshi chobo hozon ho) in Japanese.




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