noun
chronic deficit tendency; disposition to operate in the red
Used for businesses, organizations, or projects that habitually run at a loss. Often implies a structural or ingrained problem rather than a temporary shortfall.
あの会社は赤字体質からなかなか抜け出せない。
That company can't seem to break free from its chronic deficit tendency.
赤字体質を改善するには抜本的な改革が必要だ。
Fundamental reform is needed to fix the chronic deficit structure.
Compound of 赤字 (deficit, literally 'red figures') and 体質 (constitution, disposition). The term metaphorically extends the accounting concept of red ink to describe an ingrained organizational tendency.