Japanese Accounting

Essay # 54043

Accounting
Asian Studies

Japanese Accounting

An exploration of the major external influences on Japanese accounting since the middle of the nineteenth century.

1,177 words () | 12 sources | MLA | 2004 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how it is due to the western method of accounting system that Japan has been able to progress so rapidly economically. It looks at how Japan had different accounting systems within the country in the pre-modern times and how these greatly hampered business, making it difficult to trade. It shows how with the western system of accounting, there was standardization which enabled Japan not only to trade internally but also with the rest of the world which has aided Japan to progress and grow rapidly.

Outline
External Influences
The Eagerness of People
From Proprietorship to Companies
Old Japanese Accounting Methods
Profit Measurement
Distinction Between Capital and Revenue Expenditures
Depreciation
Subsidiary Books

From the Paper:

"Previously in Japan, there were small states and people had their own businesses. There was no concept of shareholders and a need to account for profits as the owners themselves took care of accounting for the revenues and profit. But with the western influence coming in, the businesses grew and partnerships and companies began to be formed. There were shareholders and thus there was a need to give justification to the shareholders. However, the accounting methods of Japan and that of the west were different initially which was creating a lot of problems and business dealings were being hampered. In order to avoid this, the Japanese steadily modified their accounting principles and methods and ways to match that of the West so that trade may become easier and easily accountable and fraud may be avoided."