With Japan's foreign population expected to grow in light of the new visa statuses introduced this month, makers of hanko (personal seals) see a new opportunity for business.

The traditional seals are still required to conduct various kinds of transactions in Japan, from purchasing cars and houses to opening bank accounts and confirming registration documents.

Their use, however, is getting phased out at major banks, and the government is allowing a larger portion of their administrative procedures to be completed online without them.