Translation guide
A member-owned financial cooperative where participants pool savings and provide loans to each other, often outside formal banking systems.
A small, community-based group where members contribute regularly and take turns receiving the lump sum.
Traditional Japanese rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA). Members contribute a fixed amount periodically, and one member receives the total each time by bidding or lottery. Still used in some communities.
I got a lump sum of money through the monthly mujin.
Another term for a traditional mutual financing group, similar to mujin. Historically common, now less frequent but still recognized.
My grandmother raised business funds through a tanomoshi-ko.
A generic term for a mutual aid group, which can include rotating savings. Often part of compound words like 頼母子講 or 無尽講.
I'm saving money by joining a local ko.
A legally registered cooperative that provides banking services to members, such as credit unions or mutual banks.
Credit union or cooperative bank. Member-owned, non-profit financial institution that accepts deposits and makes loans. Common for small businesses and local communities.
I opened an account at a local credit union.
An association providing mutual insurance or welfare benefits to members, often based on occupation or community.
Mutual aid association, often for public employees or specific professions. Provides insurance, loans, and welfare services. Similar to a friendly society.
Public employees belong to a mutual aid association.
Mutual aid society, often for funeral expenses or emergency assistance. Can be informal or formal.
無尽 (mujin) is an informal rotating savings group, while 信用組合 (shin'yo kumiai) is a legally registered credit union. Use 無尽 for traditional community-based groups and 信用組合 for formal financial institutions.
The phrase 'mutual financing association' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Choose the term based on the specific type of organization (informal rotating group, credit union, mutual aid society).
Mutual bank. Historically a type of bank owned by depositors, but most converted to regular banks. The term is now mainly historical or used in names of some institutions.
The mutual bank converted into an ordinary bank.
Labor bank, a type of cooperative financial institution for labor union members and workers. Provides similar services to credit unions.
Loans from labor banks have low interest rates.
町内会で互助会を作った。
We formed a mutual aid society in the neighborhood association.