Learning the language of business is crucial for anyone looking to engage in commerce in Japan or with Japanese companies. Understanding basic Japanese business vocabulary helps in navigating through meetings, negotiations, and daily corporate affairs. Here are some essential Japanese terms for business and commerce.

経済 (けいざい) – Economy
The term for “economy” provides context for discussions about the overall economic environment or conditions.
日本の経済は今、緩やかな回復を見せています。
(Translation: The Japanese economy is currently showing a slow recovery.)

企業 (きぎょう) – Company / Enterprise
Used to refer to a corporation or business, this term is essential in the commercial world.
その企業は国際的に事業を展開している。
(Translation: The company is expanding its business internationally.)

商談 (しょうだん) – Business Negotiation
A key part of any business, negotiations often determine the terms of agreements and partnerships.
明日、重要な商談があります。
(Translation: I have an important business negotiation tomorrow.)

契約 (けいやく) – Contract / Agreement
This is the term for legal agreements that bind the parties in business.
契約の詳細をよく読んでください。
(Translation: Please read the details of the contract carefully.)

取引 (とりひき) – Transaction / Deal
This refers to business transactions or deals that companies engage in.
その取引は会社に大きな利益をもたらしました。
(Translation: The transaction brought significant profits to the company.)

営業 (えいぎょう) – Sales / Business Operations
This term is often used to discuss the sales or operations side of a business.
彼は営業部門で働いています。
(Translation: He works in the sales department.)

市場 (しじょう) – Market
Market refers to the demand for products or services and the environment in which they are traded.
この商品はアジア市場で大人気です。
(Translation: This product is very popular in the Asian market.)

株式 (かぶしき) – Stock / Shares
The term for share ownership in a company, which is traded on the stock market.
彼はその会社の株式をいくつか保有している。
(Translation: He holds several shares of the company.)

利益 (りえき) – Profit
This term denotes the financial gain from business activities, which is key to assessing a business’s performance.
今年度は前年比20%の利益増を達成した。
(Translation: This fiscal year achieved a 20% increase in profit compared to the previous year.)

損失 (そんしつ) – Loss
Opposite to profit, this term is used to refer to financial loss in business.
その投資は大きな損失に終わった。
(Translation: The investment resulted in a significant loss.)

経営 (けいえい) – Management / Administration
This refers to the management and administration duties in running a company.
彼は経営判断を下すのが得意です。
(Translation: He is good at making management decisions.)

競争 (きょうそう) – Competition
The term for the rivalry that exists between businesses in the same industry for market share.
競争が激しい業界で成功するのは難しい。
(Translation: It is difficult to succeed in a highly competitive industry.)

マーケティング – Marketing
Referring to the activities associated with promoting and selling products or services.
新製品のマーケティング戦略を練らなければならない。
(Translation: We need to develop a marketing strategy for the new product.)

顧客 (こきゃく) – Customer / Client
Customers are the recipients of the goods or services a business provides.
彼らはとても重要な顧客なので、念入りに準備しましょう。
(Translation: They are very important customers, so let’s prepare thoroughly.)

請求書 (せいきゅうしょ) – Invoice / Bill
A document issued by a seller to a buyer, indicating the products, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services.
請求書は来週お客様に送ります。
(Translation: The invoice will be sent to the customer next week.)

By mastering these Japanese terms for business and commerce, you’ll be better equipped to participate in the Japanese business world and take your commercial interactions to a new level.