Japanese Business Glossary

一財 (ichizai), General Incorporated Foundation, is an abbreviation for 一般財団法人 (Ippan Zaidan Hojin). This is a type of legal entity in Japan that operates as a nonprofit organization. A General Incorporated Foundation is established to pursue activities for the public good without the intention of making profits for its members or founders.

These foundations can engage in various activities, including educational, cultural, charitable, and scientific endeavors. They are governed by specific regulations and must comply with the requirements set by Japanese law to maintain their status as nonprofit entities.

控除対象配偶者 (kojo taisho haiguusha) refers to a spouse who qualifies for certain tax deductions in Japan based on their income and other conditions. Typically, to be considered a spouse eligible for deductions, the spouse's annual income must be below a specific threshold. When a taxpayer claims their spouse as eligible for deductions, they can reduce their taxable income, thereby lowering their overall tax liability. This deduction is part of the measures to provide financial relief to families where one spouse has little or no income.

源泉徴収税額 (gensen choshū zeigaku) is the withholding tax amount. This term refers to the amount of tax that is withheld at the source of income, such as from an employee's salary, wages, or payments to contractors. The employer or payer deducts this tax amount from the payment and remits it directly to the tax authorities on behalf of the employee or payee. This system ensures that taxes are collected regularly throughout the year and helps to prevent tax evasion. The withheld tax is then credited against the total tax liability of the individual or entity when they file their annual tax return.

寡婦控除 (kafu kojo) refers to the widow's deduction. This is a tax deduction available in Japan for women who meet certain conditions, such as being widowed or divorced. The deduction is designed to provide financial relief to widows by reducing their taxable income, which in turn lowers their overall tax liability.

To qualify for the widow deduction, specific criteria must be met, such as not having remarried and having a dependent child or earning below a certain income threshold. There is also a special deduction for widows who are supporting a child. The amount of the deduction can vary based on these conditions.

開示請求 (kaiji seikyū) refers to a formal request made by an individual or entity to obtain access to specific information or documents held by an organization, such as a government agency or a company.

The purpose of a disclosure request can vary, including gaining access to personal data, business records, or other types of information that are legally required to be disclosed. The process and requirements for submitting a disclosure request are typically governed by relevant laws and regulations, such as freedom of information laws or privacy protection laws.

必要経費 (hitsuyo keihi) refers to the costs that are essential and directly related to earning income in a business or profession. These expenses can be deducted from gross income to determine taxable income, thereby reducing the overall tax liability.

Examples of necessary business expenses include rent for business premises, salaries, utility bills, office supplies, and other operational costs. Proper documentation and justification are required to claim these expenses as deductions on tax returns.