"Stop Using Seals" Japanese Kono Pushes to End Seal Use in Administrative Procedures

Suga Cabinet Accelerates Administrative Reform Drive... Emphasizes Need for Administrative Digitalization

Taro Kono, Minister in charge of Administrative Reform [Photo by EPA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] To drive administrative reform promoted by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Administrative Reform Minister Taro Kono is pushing for the Japanese government to stop using stamps in administrative procedures as of the 25th.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, Minister Kono told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that he requested all ministries the previous day to stop using stamps in administrative procedures. He added that he asked Digital Reform Minister Takuya Hirai to consider ways to digitize the procedures online.

Minister Kono expressed his determination to abolish stamps by demanding that institutions requiring stamps for work reasons respond with their reasons by the end of this month. He emphasized that there are more than 10,000 procedures requiring seals, and eliminating stamps would advance the digitalization of administration. He said, "Many things require printing just to stamp," and mentioned that the next step would be to consider measures to eliminate the submission of paper documents.

In Japan, stamps are generally used instead of signatures for various contracts and transactions. Stamps are also frequently used in actual administrative work, which has drawn criticism. Minister Kono said at the Digital Reform Ministers' Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Suga on the 23rd, "I want to eliminate stamps immediately" in relation to administrative procedures.

Following Minister Kono's statement, other ministers have also expressed their agreement. Minister Hirai said, "To solve the stamp issue throughout society, I will hold regular meetings with Minister Kono and proceed with reforms," adding, "I fully support Minister Kono's actions."

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated, "Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has almost no remaining use of stamps, we are reviewing the abolition of unnecessary stamp use." Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also announced, "From today, there is no need to stamp childcare leave applications and personnel transfer consent forms, and we will revise internal regulations within this month to eliminate the need for stamps on attendance records and other documents."

Most heads of ministries, including Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Koichi Hagiuda, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and Reconstruction Minister Katsuei Hirasawa, stated that there are many unnecessary tasks in Japanese administration and expressed support for reducing the use of stamps.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.