The principle of distinction between capital and earnings requires that an enterprise should distinguish capital and earnings, especially capital surplus and earned surplus.
In Japan, it is emphasized that earnings should be distributable to stakeholders, such as shareholders and tax authorities. From a point of view of distributable income determination, distinction should be made clearly between undistributable capital and distributable earnings.
From a historical point of view, at the time when Accounting Principles for Business Enterprises are promulgated, distinction between capital and earnings was so vague as to cause many financial frauds. The Accounting Principles provided a warning that enlightened business community.