Twenty years after digital push, Japanese government still stuck under piles of paper
Two decades after Japan rolled out an ambitious plan to go digital, the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the government's deeply rooted technological shortcomings as ministries remain stuck in a paper-driven culture that experts say is hurting productivity. While Tokyo has made "digital transformation" its main ...
Market growing for digital alternatives to hanko seal system
Japan's system of stamping official documents has been seen as a hindrance to teleworking by some.
LDP lawmakers call for maintaining Japan's hanko personal seal system
Ruling party group calls accusations that system is preventing the wider use of teleworking amid the coronavirus pandemic "ungrounded bashing."
Growing need for digital signatures gives Japanese firm a massive boost
The coronavirus pandemic is yanking corporate Japan into the 21st century and raising the shares of Bengo4.com Inc.
Abe government may stamp out hanko seals to promote working from home
Based on Abe’s instructions, a government committee began discussions Tuesday to revise the regulations and call for more online procedures.
Japan to review top obstacle to telework — the personal seal
The long-standing administrative custom requiring official documents be stamped with personal seals has been a major bottleneck in containing the spread of COVID-19.
Rethinking the need for personal stamps and seals in modern society
Last month, MUFG Bank Ltd. started offering ¥1,000 to each of its first 100,000 customers willing to give up their paper passbooks. MUFG wants people to switch to online banking, which is cheaper for banks — and not just because they can save on ...
As Japan's banks snub personal stamps, hanko makers pin hopes on growing foreign population
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 ...
Records bearing Emperor's seal and signature and Japan Cabinet meeting documents to be kept on paper
The government considers it essential to save such public records in paper form in order to preserve their historical value, officials said.
Personal seals lose ground as big Japanese banks stop using 1800s technology
It has taken more than a century, but Japanese banks are finally parting ways with a piece of technology that hasn't felt cutting edge since the shogun reigned. Hanko, the personal stamps required for even simple transactions in the country since the 1800s, are getting ...
Now 2019 is in full swing, On: Design takes a final look at a few of 2018's end of year noteworthy prizewinners.
