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Japan's red-tape 'hotline' open again for gripes, Taro Kono says

National Sep 25, 2020

Japan's red-tape 'hotline' open again for gripes, Taro Kono says

Messages will be delivered to related government agencies after being checked by officials of the Cabinet Office and the Cabinet Secretariat.

Hanko specialist hopes to stamp his mark on post-coronavirus Japan

Business Aug 25, 2020

Hanko specialist hopes to stamp his mark on post-coronavirus Japan

by Noriyuki Suzuki

Fumikazu Matsuzaki is confident that personal seals still have a place in Japanese society, and is branching out to ensure their survival.

Twenty years after digital push, Japanese government still stuck under piles of paper

National Jul 25, 2020

Twenty years after digital push, Japanese government still stuck under piles of paper

by Tetsushi Kajimoto

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 <em>hanko</em> seal system

National Jun 30, 2020

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 <i>hanko</i> personal seal system

National Jun 27, 2020

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

Business / Corporate May 24, 2020

Growing need for digital signatures gives Japanese firm a massive boost

by Min Jeong Lee and Nao Sano

The coronavirus pandemic is yanking corporate Japan into the 21st century and raising the shares of Bengo4.com Inc.

Abe government may stamp out <i>hanko</i> seals to promote working from home

Business Apr 28, 2020

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

National Apr 26, 2020

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.

Traditional Japanese seal system hampers telework for some

Business / Corporate Apr 13, 2020

Traditional Japanese seal system hampers telework for some

Some office workers are facing a small but insurmountable hurdle to staying home under the state of emergency: personal signature stamps.

Rethinking the need for personal stamps and seals in modern society

National / Media | MEDIA MIX Feb 22, 2020

Rethinking the need for personal stamps and seals in modern society

by Philip Brasor

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, <I>hanko</I> makers pin hopes on growing foreign population

National | Regional voices: Chubu Apr 22, 2019

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

National Apr 4, 2019

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.

« 1 2 3 »
  • WHAT’S TRENDING
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    A researcher plants a semiconductor on an interface board as part of a research project in Beijing.
  • With emergency extension for Tokyo area likely, Japan expands border control measures
    Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture last month. All people coming from abroad are required to undergo tests for COVID-19 prior to their departure for Japan, submit proof they have tested negative upon arrival and observe a 14-day quarantine.
  • Suga says two-week emergency extension 'necessary' for Tokyo
    Governors in the Tokyo area are planning to ask Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency by about two weeks, as the decline in new infections has slowed.
  • Can the Tokyo Olympics be held with spectators during the pandemic?
    An athletics meet takes place without spectators at Tokyo's National Stadium last August. Japan is facing many unanswered questions about how to hold the Olympic Games this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Hakuho Cup may allow Hakuho to leave indelible mark on sumo from outside ring
    Yokozuna Hakuho poses with John Traill and the Australian team at Takekaze’s retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 1.
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