← Back to Glossary
発起人
[hokkinin] - a promoter or founder

発起人 (hokkinin) refers to a promoter or founder in Japanese. This term is used to describe an individual or a group of individuals who take the initiative to establish a new company, organization, or project.

The hokkinin are responsible for the initial planning, organization, and legal formalities required to set up the entity. In the context of company incorporation, they prepare and file the necessary documents, such as the articles of incorporation, with the relevant authorities. They may also secure initial funding, recruit key personnel, and establish the company’s strategic direction.

The role of hokkinin is crucial in the early stages of a business or organization as they lay the groundwork for its future operations and growth. They often continue to be involved in the organization as shareholders, directors, or key executives, although their exact roles and responsibilities can vary depending on the structure and needs of the entity they have established.


Starting a business in Japan? 🗾
Use a virtual office address to register your company! Get a Japanese business address, phone number, and bilingual receptionist service. Plans start from only $25/mo.✨

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Handling of Personal Information.

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.

Read more
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​

Read more
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.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

発起人 (hokkinin) refers to a promoter or founder in Japanese. This term is used to describe an individual or a group of individuals who take the initiative to establish a new company, organization, or project.


A promoter or founder is 発起人 (hokkinin) in Japanese.




← Back to Glossary

Japan’s first bilingual virtual mail, virtual address, and virtual receptionist provider

Get an all-in-one bilingual mail and compliance service to power the growth of your startup in Japan.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Handling of Personal Information.