← Back to Glossary
債権
[saiken] - claim

債権 (saiken) refers to a claim or receivable in Japan. This term describes the right of a creditor to receive a specific payment or performance of an obligation from a debtor. Essentially, it represents a financial asset for the creditor and a liability for the debtor.

In a business context, saiken can include various types of receivables, such as accounts receivable from customers, loans, bonds, or any other financial claims. For example, when a company sells goods or services on credit, the amount owed by the customer becomes a saiken for the company.

The management of claims is crucial for maintaining healthy cash flow and ensuring that the business can meet its financial obligations. Properly managing and collecting these receivables helps in optimizing the company's financial health and operational efficiency.


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

債権 (saiken) refers to a claim or receivable in Japan. This term describes the right of a creditor to receive a specific payment or performance of an obligation from a debtor. Essentially, it represents a financial asset for the creditor and a liability for the debtor.


Claim is 債権 (saiken) 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.