1.
corporation; joint-stock company; Co., Ltd.
The most common type of business corporation in Japan, equivalent to a limited company or corporation. Abbreviated as (株) in company names.
Often abbreviated as (株) in written contexts, placed either before or after the company name: 株式会社トヨタ or トヨタ株式会社. The position (before or after) is determined by the company's official registration. Other Japanese corporate forms include 合同会社 (LLC, abbreviated 合), 合資会社 (limited partnership), and 合名会社 (general partnership). Colloquially often shortened to 株 when referring to shares or the stock market.