Japanese Business Glossary

同族会社 (dozoku gaisha) translates to a family-owned company or closely-held company. This Japanese term refers to a company where the majority of shares are owned by members of the same family or a small group of related individuals. In such companies, the ownership and control are typically concentrated within this small group, allowing them to make significant decisions and influence the direction of the business. The term can also imply that the company's operations and management are heavily influenced by familial relationships and interests.

ふるさと納税 (furusato nozei), Japan's hometown tax program, is a unique tax scheme in Japan that allows taxpayers to contribute to municipalities of their choice, rather than paying part of their local inhabitant tax to the municipality where they reside. In return, contributors often receive thank-you gifts, such as local products or specialties from the municipalities they support.

The scheme is designed to help regional areas in Japan by directing tax revenue to less populated or financially struggling municipalities. Taxpayers who participate in the furusato nozei program can receive deductions on their income tax and local inhabitant tax based on the amount contributed, within certain limits.

送り状 (okurijo) is commonly used to refer to a document that accompanies goods being shipped, detailing the contents, destination, and other relevant information. A shipping invoice may include information such as the sender's and recipient's addresses, a description of the items, quantities, and any relevant tracking numbers. It serves as a record for both the sender and the receiver and is often used in logistics and shipping to ensure that the shipment is properly accounted for and delivered.

法定相続人 (hotei sozokunin) refers to individuals who are entitled by law to inherit the estate of a deceased person, in other words, the statutory heir. In Japan, the Civil Code defines who qualifies as a statutory heir, typically including the spouse, children, parents, and other relatives of the deceased. The specific order and proportion of inheritance are also determined by law. Statutory heirs have a legal right to claim their share of the estate in accordance with these regulations.

還付金 (kanpukin) typically refers to money returned to an individual or entity, often from the government or a financial institution, usually because of an overpayment or correction of an error. In the context of taxes, kanpukin refers to a tax refund that occurs when the amount of tax paid exceeds the actual tax liability, resulting in a reimbursement to the taxpayer.

日当 (nikko) refers to per diem given to employees or workers to cover expenses incurred while performing work-related activities, such as travel, meals, and lodging. Per diem payments are often provided when employees are on business trips or working away from their usual place of employment. The amount and conditions for per diem allowances can vary depending on company policies or agreements.