The new Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is seeking to hasten administrative reforms. He is pursuing a rapid digitalisation of Japan as well. With these twin objectives, the cultural icon – Hanko or carved name seal – is likely to be stamped out.
The Meiji period traditi0n, of using cursively varied names in unique ways on special stamps, is used to sign documents in all legal ways, including bank cheques. Nearly 10000 procedures require Hanko. Contracts, business agreements, pension enrollment and all financial, tax and administrative matters are based on the Hanko identity. These are affixed to physical documents – 785 government procedures need the Hanko and may face reform.
The need for social distancing to face Covid 19 is giving impetus to the idea of moving away from the Hanko. However, for digitalization, the Hanko is a major challenge.
Thanks to the pandemic, several systems have been altered in Japan. Online learning, tele medicine consultations are among the deregulated responses that may become permanent after new digitized administrative reforms likely next year. Electronic contracts usage increased during the pandemic.
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