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法人成り
[hojin nari] - the process of incorporating a business

法人成り (hojin nari) refers to the process of incorporating a business in Japan, transforming it from a sole proprietorship or partnership into a corporation (法人, Hojin). This process involves creating a legal entity that is separate from its owners, providing certain legal and financial benefits.

When a business incorporates, it becomes a separate legal entity from its owners. This means the corporation can own property, enter contracts, and be sued independently of its owners, which limits the personal liability of the owners for the business's debts and obligations. Incorporation can also make it easier for a business to raise capital through the sale of shares or by attracting investors, as corporations are often seen as more stable and credible than unincorporated businesses.

Corporations may have access to different tax structures and potential tax benefits compared to unincorporated businesses. For instance, corporate tax rates might be lower than personal income tax rates, and there are more opportunities for tax deductions. Additionally, a corporation has perpetual existence, meaning it continues to exist even if the ownership or management changes, providing more stability and continuity for the business.

However, incorporating a business involves adhering to more stringent regulatory requirements, such as maintaining detailed records, holding regular board meetings, and filing annual reports. While this adds administrative work, it also enhances transparency and accountability.

In summary, hojin nari is the process of incorporating a business in Japan, creating a separate legal entity that provides benefits like limited liability, easier access to funding, potential tax advantages, and greater continuity, along with increased regulatory compliance requirements.


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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

法人成り (hojin nari) refers to the process of incorporating a business in Japan, transforming it from a sole proprietorship or partnership into a corporation (法人, Hojin). This process involves creating a legal entity that is separate from its owners, providing certain legal and financial benefits.


The process of incorporating a business is 法人成り (hojin nari) in Japanese.




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