Japan to drop seal requirement in 99% of administrative procedures

Administrative reform minister Kono pushes for more digitalization in government

Taro Kono, minister in charge of administrative reform, said, "With the abolishment of unregistered seals, there's no need for physical documents or in-person meetings. Now we can work on moving core procedures online."

DAISHI ABE, Nikkei staff writer

November 13, 2020 15:55 JST

TOKYO -- Administrative reform minister Taro Kono announced at a news conference on Friday that he would abolish nearly all requirements for people to use seals in getting administrative procedures approved.

Roughly 15,000 processes currently require hanko seals, such as applications to government agencies. The requirement will be dropped for all but 83 procedures that require seals registered with local authorities. Amendments to current laws will be submitted to the regular Diet session that starts next year.