Japanese Business Glossary

督促状, pronounced tokusoku-jo in Japanese, refers to a dunning letter or a reminder notice. This is an official document sent by a creditor to a debtor to prompt the payment of an overdue obligation. Typically used in financial and business contexts, tokusoku-jo serves as a formal request for payment and outlines the details of the outstanding debt, including the amount owed, the due date, and any potential penalties for late payment.

The purpose of sending a tokusoku-jo is to encourage the debtor to settle their account promptly and to remind them of their financial responsibility. It is often the first step in a series of escalating actions that a creditor might take to recover the debt, which could eventually lead to legal proceedings if the payment is not made. The tone of a tokusoku-jo can vary from a polite reminder to a more urgent demand, depending on the severity of the overdue payment and the creditor's policies.

締結, pronounced teiketsu in Japanese, refers to the conclusion or execution of an agreement, contract, or treaty. This term is commonly used in legal, business, and diplomatic contexts to describe the formal process of finalizing an agreement between parties. Teiketsu signifies that all parties involved have negotiated the terms, reached a mutual understanding, and formally signed the document, making it legally binding.

年収, pronounced nenshu in Japanese, refers to annual income. This term represents the total amount of money earned by an individual or household over the course of a year. Nenshu includes all sources of income, such as salary, wages, bonuses, dividends, and any other financial gains.

In the context of employment, nenshu typically includes not only the base salary but also any additional compensation like bonuses, overtime pay, and allowances. It is an important metric for assessing an individual's financial status, tax obligations, and eligibility for loans or other financial services.

起算, pronounced kisan in Japanese, refers to the commencement or starting point of a time period or calculation. This term is often used in legal, financial, and contractual contexts to specify the beginning of a duration for which certain terms, conditions, or obligations apply.

For example, in a contract, the kisan date would be the date from which the terms of the agreement start to take effect. In legal contexts, kisan can refer to the date from which a statute of limitations begins. In financial matters, it could indicate the start date for calculating interest or other time-based metrics.

Defining kisan clearly is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and ensure all parties have a mutual understanding of when obligations and calculations commence.

同居, pronounced dokyo in Japanese, refers to cohabitation or living together. This term describes the arrangement where two or more people share the same living space, typically a home or apartment. 同居 can occur among various groups, such as family members, romantic partners, friends, or roommates.

In the context of family, dokyo often refers to multiple generations living under one roof, such as grandparents, parents, and children. This arrangement can have cultural significance, offering benefits like shared responsibilities, financial savings, and strengthened family bonds. However, it can also present challenges related to privacy, space, and differing lifestyles.

In non-family contexts, dokyo is common among students, young professionals, or individuals seeking to reduce living costs by sharing rent and utilities.

所得制限手取り, pronounced shotoku seigen te-dori in Japanese, refers to net income limits. This term is often used in the context of eligibility criteria for certain government benefits, subsidies, or tax relief programs. The concept involves setting a maximum threshold for an individual's or household's net income, beyond which they would not qualify for specific financial assistance or benefits.

"所得" (shotoku) means income, "制限" (seigen) means limit or restriction, and "手取り" (te-dori) means take-home pay or net income, which is the amount of income left after deductions such as taxes, social security, and other mandatory contributions.