Translation guide
The term 'financial year' refers to a 12-month period used for accounting and tax purposes. In Japan, the standard financial year runs from April 1 to March 31, but companies may adopt different periods. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the typical Japanese fiscal year that starts in April and ends in March.
The most common and formal term for 'financial year' or 'fiscal year' in Japan. It is used in official, business, and accounting contexts.
日本の会計年度は4月に始まります。
The financial year in Japan starts in April.
会計年度の途中で予算が変更された。
The budget was changed in the middle of the financial year.
A shorter, more general term often used in compound words or when the context is clear. It can refer to fiscal, academic, or other annual periods.
来年度の予算を立てる。
We will draft the budget for the next financial year.
2023年度の売上は過去最高だった。
Sales for the 2023 financial year were the highest ever.
Describing a financial year that does not follow the standard April–March cycle, often set by individual companies.
Refers to a company's own fiscal year, which may differ from the standard calendar or government fiscal year. Commonly used in corporate settings.
当社の事業年度は1月から12月までです。
Our company's financial year runs from January to December.
事業年度の変更を取締役会で決議した。
The board of directors resolved to change the financial year.
Literally 'settlement period', this term is often used to refer to the end of a financial year or the period for which accounts are settled. It can imply the financial year itself in context.
Talking about financial years in a global or non-Japan-specific way, or when comparing different systems.
Still the standard term even when referring to financial years outside Japan. It is widely understood in international business contexts.
アメリカの会計年度は10月に始まることが多い。
The financial year in the U.S. often starts in October.
会計年度 is the general term for fiscal/financial year, often referring to the standard April–March period or government fiscal year. 事業年度 specifically refers to a company's own fiscal year, which may differ from the standard. In many business contexts, they are interchangeable, but 事業年度 emphasizes the company-specific period.
当社の事業年度は1月から12月までですが、日本の会計年度は4月から3月までです。
Our company's financial year is January to December, but the Japanese fiscal year is April to March.
年度 is often used in compounds like 来年度 (next financial year), 前年度 (previous financial year), and 当年度 (current financial year). These are very common in business Japanese.
会計年度は3月に終わります。
The financial year ends in March.
会計年度の締めを行わなければなりません。
We need to close the books for the financial year.
The end of the financial year is approaching, so the accounting department is busy.
A more formal or governmental term, sometimes used for national budgets. Less common in everyday business Japanese.
政府の財政年度は4月から始まる。
The government's financial year starts in April.