Japanese Business Glossary

問屋 (tonya) refers to a wholesale business or wholesaler in Japan. These entities play a crucial role in the distribution of goods from manufacturers to retailers. They act as intermediaries, buying large quantities of products from producers and selling them in smaller amounts to retail stores.

Wholesalers often provide various services such as storage and warehousing of products, transport and logistics solutions, financial services including credit to retailers, and market information and feedback to manufacturers. The presence of wholesalers helps streamline the supply chain, making it more efficient and reducing costs for both manufacturers and retailers.

In a Japanese company, 常務 (jomu), managing director or senior executive, refers to the position of Managing Director or Executive Director.

The role of a jomu involves overseeing specific departments or functions within the company, and they are typically part of the senior management team. They report directly to the board of directors or the president of the company. The responsibilities of a jomu can include strategic planning, operational management, and ensuring that the company’s objectives are met efficiently.

Jomu is a high-ranking position, reflecting significant authority and responsibility within the organizational hierarchy.

The term 赴任 (funin) in Japanese refers to the act of being assigned to a new post or position, usually involving relocation. It is commonly used in the context of job transfers within a company, where an employee is sent to work in a different location, often in another city or country. This can be a temporary assignment or a long-term transfer, depending on the company's needs and the nature of the role.

決算賞与 (kessan shoyo) refers to a type of bonus payment made to employees based on the financial performance of a company at the end of its fiscal year. Unlike regular bonuses that are often distributed at fixed times (e.g., summer and winter bonuses), kessan shoyo is contingent on the company's profitability and is usually decided after the annual financial statements are finalized.

If the company performs well and achieves high profits, employees may receive a larger kessan shoyo. Conversely, if the company's financial performance is poor, the bonus may be reduced or not given at all. This system aligns employee incentives with the overall success of the company, encouraging staff to contribute to its financial growth.

売買 (baibai) in Japanese means "buying and selling" or "trade". It refers to the act of purchasing and selling goods or services.

In a business context, baibai involves transactions where ownership of goods or services is transferred from a seller to a buyer in exchange for money. This term is commonly used in various industries, including retail, wholesale, real estate, and finance.

In Japan, 原本 (genpon) refers to an original document or the original version of a document. It is often used in legal and official contexts to denote the primary, authentic version of a document, as opposed to copies or duplicates.

The term is commonly used when submitting documents to government offices, financial institutions, or during legal procedures to ensure the authenticity and validity of the paperwork.

When dealing with company incorporation or other business activities in Japan, having the genpon of important documents might be required for verification and approval processes.