Japanese business year-end preparation checklist 2027: traditional guide to closing the year in Japan

In Japan, the year-end (nenmatsu) is a critical time for businesses of all sizes. This Japanese business year-end preparation checklist 2027 will help you organize key traditions—such as deep cleaning (ōsōji), client appreciation gifts (oseibo), or accounting closure—alongside legal deadlines and rituals that mark the start of 2027. Use this checklist in Foco to ensure no detail is overlooked: from sending New Year’s greeting cards (nengajō) before December 25th to preparing for the first workday of the year (shigoto-hajime).

Key dates in Japan for 2026-2027

Japan’s fiscal year ends on December 31st, but deadlines for tasks and rituals begin in November. Mark these dates in Foco’s calendar: oseibo (client gifts, due by December 20th), accounting closure (before December 31st), nengajō (New Year’s cards, sent between December 15th and 25th), and the first workday (shigoto-hajime, January 4th, 2027, after the New Year’s break). Offices typically close from December 29th to January 3rd, so everything must be ready beforehand.

In Foco, assign start and due dates to each task to sync them with your calendar. Use tags like Accounting, Clients, or Rituals to filter by priority. If working in a team, invite colleagues to the Year-End Close project and assign tasks like inventory review or oseibo preparation.

• Schedule the office deep cleaning (ōsōji) for the second week of December (hire external service or assign internal teams)
• Review and update physical and digital inventory before December 15th (use Accounting and Urgent tags in Foco)
• Prepare and send oseibo gifts to key clients (select items by December 1st and ship before December 20th)
• Close the fiscal year: reconcile accounts, prepare tax reports, and file declarations before December 31st (assign to accountant or finance team)
• Send New Year’s greeting cards (nengajō) to clients, partners, and employees (design by December 10th and send between December 15th and 25th)
• Update contact lists for nengajō (verify addresses and names before December 5th)
• Plan the obōegaki (year-end reflection meeting) for the third week of December (prepare agenda with achievements, mistakes, and 2027 goals)
• Draft and share the company’s annual report (nenmatsu hōkoku) with employees and stakeholders before December 25th
• Organize the shinnenkai (New Year’s party) for employees (book venue by December 10th and send invitations)
• Prepare for the first workday (shigoto-hajime): decorate the office with kadomatsu and shimekazari, and plan a brief opening ceremony (January 4th, 2027)
• Review and adjust the 2027 budget, including oseibo, nengajō, and New Year’s event expenses (finalize by December 20th)
• Send reminders to clients and suppliers about office closure (December 29th to January 3rd) before December 20th
• Update internal policies and procedure manuals for 2027 (review before December 31st and communicate changes in January)
• Prepare welcome kits for new employees starting in January (materials, documents, and gifts ready by December 25th)
• Coordinate with IT to back up data and perform system maintenance before December 25th
• Plan Q1 2027 marketing and sales strategy (define goals and actions before December 31st)
• Review contracts with suppliers and clients for renewals or adjustments before December 31st (assign to legal or admin team)
• Prepare a year-end achievements summary for social media or newsletters before December 31st