Why do they call these rings 'N-1' and 'N-2'? What is the reason behind this terminology? > **Definition** ([Tag 032F](https://stacks.math.columbia.edu/tag/032F)). Let $R$ be a domain with field of fractions $K$. > 1. We say $R$ is *N-1* if the integral closure of $R$ in $K$ is a finite $R$-module. > 2. We say $R$ is *N-2* or *Japanese* if for any finite extension $L/K$ of fields the integral closure of $R$ in $L$ is finite over $R$. (I guess the 'Japanese' terminology for the latter is to pay tribute to the Japanese mathematicians that studied these kinds of rings properties, such as Masayoshi Nagata.)