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.
The financial year in Japan starts in April.
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.
We will draft the budget for the next financial year.
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.
Our company's financial year runs from January to December.
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.
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.
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.
The financial year ends in March.
We need to close the books for the financial year.
The board of directors resolved to change 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.
The government's financial year starts in April.