Japanese Business Glossary

販売促進 (hanbai sokushin) is a Japanese term that translates to "sales promotion" in English. It refers to various marketing strategies and activities designed to boost the sales of a product or service. The goal of hanbai sokushin is to encourage consumers to purchase more, increase brand awareness, and ultimately drive higher revenue for a business.

Sales promotion techniques can include discounts, coupons, special offers, product demonstrations, free samples, contests, and loyalty programs. These strategies are often used in conjunction with advertising and other marketing efforts to create a more compelling reason for consumers to choose a particular product or service over competitors.

By implementing effective hanbai sokushin strategies, businesses can attract new customers, retain existing ones, and stimulate demand for their products or services.

手段 (shudan) is a Japanese term that translates to "means," "method," or "way" in English. It refers to the tools, techniques, or approaches used to achieve a particular goal or objective.

Shudan can be applied in various contexts to describe the process or means by which something is accomplished. For example, in business, shudan might refer to the strategies or tactics used to reach sales targets or improve operations. In everyday life, shudan can refer to the methods or ways individuals use to solve problems, achieve personal goals, or complete tasks.

相殺 (sosai) is a Japanese term that translates to "offset" or "set-off" in English. It refers to the process of balancing or canceling out two opposing claims or amounts, resulting in a net amount. This concept is commonly used in financial, legal, and business contexts.

In accounting, sosai might involve offsetting a debt with a credit, thereby reducing the net amount owed. For example, if two parties owe each other money, they can agree to cancel out the amounts to determine the net balance.

In legal terms, sosai can refer to the process of offsetting mutual claims in a lawsuit, where one party's claim is set off against the counterclaim of the other party, resulting in a net obligation.

The principle of sosai helps in simplifying financial transactions and legal disputes by allowing parties to settle their accounts or claims against each other more efficiently.

減価償却累計額 (genka shokyaku ruikeigaku) is a Japanese term that translates to "accumulated depreciation" in English. It refers to the total amount of depreciation expense that has been recorded for an asset over its useful life up to a specific point in time.

Accumulated depreciation represents the cumulative wear and tear, usage, or obsolescence that has reduced the value of the asset since it was acquired. It is a contra-asset account on the balance sheet, meaning it offsets the gross value of the asset to reflect its net book value.

In accounting, the process of recording depreciation helps allocate the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life. For example, if a piece of equipment is expected to be used for ten years, its cost is gradually expensed over that period through depreciation. The accumulated depreciation account keeps track of these expenses, providing a clear picture of the asset's decreasing value over time.

卸売 (oroshiuri) is a Japanese term that translates to "wholesale" in English. It refers to the business activity of selling goods in large quantities at lower prices, typically to retailers, other businesses, or institutions, rather than directly to end consumers. Wholesalers act as intermediaries between manufacturers or producers and the retail market.

In the wholesale process, wholesalers purchase products in bulk from manufacturers or suppliers, store them in warehouses, and then distribute them in smaller quantities to retailers or other entities that sell the products to the final consumers. This distribution channel helps streamline the supply chain, making it more efficient and cost-effective for manufacturers to reach a wider market.

Wholesale businesses play a crucial role in the economy by facilitating the flow of goods from production to consumption, ensuring that products are available to meet market demand, and often providing additional services such as logistics, storage, and product information to their customers.

会計帳簿 (kaikei chobo) is a Japanese term that translates to "accounting books" or "accounting ledgers" in English. It refers to the financial records used by businesses to track their financial transactions, manage their finances, and prepare financial statements.

Accounting books typically include the general ledger, which is a comprehensive record of all financial transactions categorized into accounts such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses. They also include the journal, a detailed record of all transactions in chronological order before they are posted to the general ledger. Subsidiary ledgers provide detailed records supporting individual accounts in the general ledger, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory. The cash book records all cash receipts and payments.

Maintaining accurate accounting books is essential for financial reporting, tax compliance, and effective financial management. They provide a clear and organized view of a company’s financial activities, enabling business owners and managers to make informed decisions. Accurate accounting records also ensure transparency and accountability in financial operations.