noun
watered assets; inflated assets
Financial term for assets whose value has been artificially inflated, often through fraudulent accounting. Used in business, auditing, and legal contexts.
監査の結果、水増し資産が発覚した。
The audit uncovered watered assets.
水増し資産の計上は粉飾決算にあたる。
Recording inflated assets constitutes window dressing of accounts.
Compound of 水増し (inflation, padding) and 資産 (assets). The term is a direct calque of the English 'watered assets', a metaphor for diluting value like watering down a drink.