Japanese Business Glossary

睡眠口座 (suimin koza), or "dormant account" in English, refers to a bank account that has not been active for an extended period. Typically, an account is considered dormant if there have been no transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, or transfers, for a certain length of time, often ranging from one to five years depending on the bank's policies. Despite being inactive, the account remains in existence and retains any funds deposited in it. Banks may charge fees for maintaining dormant accounts, which can gradually reduce the account balance. To reactivate a dormant account, the account holder usually needs to contact the bank and conduct a transaction. Managing dormant accounts is essential for banks to ensure they maintain accurate records and for account holders to avoid unnecessary fees and potential complications in accessing their funds.

仮払金 (karibaraikin), or "temporary advance payment" in English, refers to funds disbursed by a company or organization for expenses that have not yet been substantiated by receipts or invoices. These payments are often made to employees or contractors to cover anticipated costs for business-related activities, such as travel, supplies, or project expenses. The recipient is expected to provide appropriate documentation, such as receipts or invoices, to account for the expenses incurred. Once the expenses are verified, the temporary advance payment is reconciled against the actual costs. This ensures accurate financial tracking and accounting. Proper management of karibaraikin is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability in financial operations.

剰余金 (joyokin) refers to "surplus funds" or "retained earnings" in Japanese. It represents the profits that a company has earned over its expenses and has decided to retain rather than distribute as dividends to shareholders.

These surplus funds can be used for various purposes such as reinvestment in the business, paying off debt, or saving for future financial needs. In accounting, joyokin is an important indicator of a company's financial health and stability, showing the amount of profit that has been reinvested into the company over time.

買掛金 (kaikakekin) refers to "accounts payable." This is the amount of money a company owes to its suppliers or vendors for goods or services received but not yet paid for. It represents the company's obligation to pay off short-term debt to its creditors.

売掛金 (urikakekin) refers to "accounts receivable." This is the amount of money that a company has the right to receive from its customers for goods or services provided on credit. It represents the company's claim for payment from its clients.

These terms are fundamental in managing a company's cash flow, ensuring that it can meet its short-term obligations while also keeping track of incoming revenues.

供託金 (kyotaku kin) refers to "deposited money" or "security deposit" in English. It is an amount of money deposited with a government agency or public office for a specific purpose, often to guarantee the fulfillment of certain obligations or to comply with legal requirements.

In Japan, kyotaku kin is commonly used in various legal and administrative contexts. For example, it may be required when filing certain types of lawsuits, registering businesses, or bidding on public projects. The deposit acts as a financial assurance that the party will adhere to the stipulated conditions or complete the agreed-upon tasks.

Once the obligations are fulfilled, the kyotaku kin may be refunded to the depositor. However, if the obligations are not met, the deposited amount may be forfeited.

転記 (tenki) refers to "transcription," "posting," or "transfer" in English. In accounting, 転記 means transferring data from one record to another, such as moving entries from a journal to a ledger. This process ensures that financial transactions are accurately recorded and organized for reporting and analysis. The term can also be used more broadly to describe the act of copying or transcribing information from one place to another.