Japanese Business Glossary

散見 (sanken) is a Japanese term that means "scattered" or "sporadically seen." It is used to describe the occurrence of something being observed in various places or instances, but not in a concentrated or consistent manner.

For example, you might use sanken to describe a situation where certain behaviors, errors, or phenomena are noticed sporadically across different reports, documents, or locations. It implies that these occurrences are not widespread or uniform, but rather appear here and there.

剰余金 (joyokin) refers to "surplus funds" or "retained earnings" in Japanese. It represents the profits that a company has earned over its expenses and has decided to retain rather than distribute as dividends to shareholders.

These surplus funds can be used for various purposes such as reinvestment in the business, paying off debt, or saving for future financial needs. In accounting, joyokin is an important indicator of a company's financial health and stability, showing the amount of profit that has been reinvested into the company over time.

大学校 (daigakkou) is a Japanese term that translates to "college" or "university school" in English. However, it often refers to specialized higher education institutions in Japan that are distinct from typical universities.

大学校 typically offer advanced training and education in specific fields, such as engineering, maritime studies, or defense. These institutions are usually overseen by government ministries or agencies and focus on practical and professional education. Examples include the National Defense Medical College and the Japan Coast Guard Academy. They provide specialized education and training aimed at preparing students for careers in specific sectors or industries.

署名 (shomei) means "signature" in Japanese. It refers to the act of signing one's name on a document to indicate agreement, approval, or authorization.

In legal and formal contexts, a shomei is often required to validate contracts, agreements, official forms, and other important documents. It serves as a confirmation that the person signing has read, understood, and accepted the contents of the document.

The term can also be used more generally to refer to the act of signing any written material.

不足 (fusoku) means "shortage," "deficiency," or "insufficiency" in Japanese. It refers to the state of not having enough of something or lacking in quantity or quality.

For example, if there is a shortage of resources, materials, or funds, you would use 不足 to describe the situation. In everyday conversation, it might be used to talk about a lack of sleep (睡眠不足, suimin fusoku) or a shortage of workers (人手不足, hito-de fusoku).

The term conveys the idea that something essential is missing or not available in adequate amounts.

適当 (tekito) is a Japanese term with multiple meanings depending on the context.

In a positive sense, it means "appropriate," "suitable," or "proper." It is used to describe something that fits well with a situation or meets certain requirements. For example, 適当な服装 (tekito na fukuso) means "appropriate clothing."

In a more casual or negative sense, 適当 can mean "random," "careless," or "irresponsible." This usage implies doing something without much thought or effort. For instance, 適当にやる (tekito ni yaru) means "to do something carelessly."

The meaning of tekito is thus determined by the context in which it is used.