noun
buffer stock
In economics, inventory held to absorb fluctuations in supply and demand.
企業は需要変動に備えて緩衝在庫を保有している。
Companies hold buffer stock to prepare for demand fluctuations.
安全在庫 (safety stock) is a similar concept but specifically refers to the minimum inventory level to prevent stockouts, while 緩衝在庫 is more about absorbing variability.
Compound of 緩衝 (buffer, cushioning) and 在庫 (inventory, stock).