Japanese Business Glossary

年度 (nendo) refers to a fiscal year or academic year in Japan. It is a one-year period used for accounting, budgeting, and administrative purposes, differing from the calendar year.

In Japan, the fiscal year for most businesses and government agencies runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. This period is used for financial reporting, tax filings, and budget planning. Companies prepare their annual financial statements and reports based on this fiscal year, aligning their operations and financial activities accordingly.

For academic institutions, the academic year also typically starts in April and ends in March. This schedule includes school terms, exams, and other academic activities.

Understanding the concept of nendo is essential for managing financial and administrative tasks in accordance with Japanese practices and regulations.

財産 (zaisan) refers to property or assets in Japan. This term encompasses all forms of wealth owned by an individual or entity, including both tangible and intangible assets.

Tangible assets (有形資産 = yūkei shisan) include physical items such as real estate, vehicles, equipment, and personal belongings. Intangible assets (無形資産 = mukei shisan) include non-physical items such as stocks, bonds, intellectual property, patents, and copyrights.

Zaisan can also cover financial assets like cash, bank deposits, and investments. In legal and financial contexts, managing and protecting one's assets involves various activities such as estate planning, asset management, and tax planning.

任意団体 (nini dantai) refers to a voluntary organization or unincorporated association in Japan. This type of organization is formed by individuals or groups who come together voluntarily to pursue common goals, interests, or activities without forming a legal entity.

Nini dantai does not have legal personality, meaning it cannot own property, enter into contracts, or sue and be sued in its own name. Instead, the activities and legal responsibilities are managed by its members or representatives. Such organizations are common in various fields, including community groups, hobby clubs, volunteer associations, and some professional groups.

While voluntary organizations enjoy greater flexibility in its formation and operation compared to incorporated entities, it also has limitations, particularly in terms of legal protections and financial management. Members of 任意団体 may need to take extra care in managing finances, liabilities, and administrative responsibilities to ensure the organization's smooth operation and compliance with relevant regulations.

源泉 (gensen) refers to the source or origin of something in Japanese. In a financial and tax context, it often refers to 源泉徴収 (gensen choshū), which means withholding tax. This is the process by which an employer or payer deducts a certain amount of tax from an employee's salary or a recipient's payment before it is paid to them, and then remits this tax directly to the tax authorities.

For example, in the context of employment, employers are required to withhold income tax from employees' salaries and pay this tax to the government on their behalf. This ensures that taxes are collected at the source of income, simplifying tax compliance for individuals and ensuring that the government receives tax revenue promptly.

Gensen can also be used more generally to refer to the source or origin of any resource, such as water from a spring or the origin of a particular piece of information.

外交員 (gaikoin) refers to an outside sales representative or field salesperson in Japan. These individuals are responsible for visiting potential and existing customers to promote and sell a company's products or services. Unlike office-based sales staff, gaikoin work primarily outside the company's premises, often traveling to meet clients in person.

The role of a gaikoin typically involves building and maintaining customer relationships, identifying sales opportunities, conducting product demonstrations, negotiating contracts, and closing sales. They play a crucial role in expanding a company's customer base and driving revenue growth.

Being an outside sales representative in Japan requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a thorough understanding of the products or services being sold. It also demands a high level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently.

協賛金 (kyosankin) refers to sponsorship money or contributions in Japan. This term is used to describe funds provided by individuals, companies, or organizations to support events, activities, projects, or initiatives, often in exchange for promotional benefits or recognition.

Kyosankin is commonly seen in contexts such as sponsoring sports events, cultural festivals, or community activities, supporting non-profit organizations or charity events, and funding research projects or educational programs. In return for their financial support, sponsors may receive advertising opportunities, naming rights, or other forms of acknowledgment. This mutually beneficial arrangement helps organizers cover costs while providing sponsors with marketing and branding exposure.