UPDATE | November 10, 2023
Did you know that stamps are used in Japan as a means to guarantee the authenticity of documents, just like signatures? In Japan, a small stick-shaped stamp called a "hanko" is often required in place of a signature when a package arrives, or in addition to a signature when signing a contract. Can foreigners use stamps? Where can I get it? Is it really necessary for foreigners? In this article, we will answer the questions above and explain stamps.
INDEX
If you have heard of stamps, you may have also heard terms such as ``inkō,'' ``inkan,'' or ``insha.'' All of these words include the kanji ``in'', which means ``stamp'', but each has a slightly different meaning, so I would like to list the definitions of each word below.
seal impression(in-ei) indicates a stamp (name, picture, etc.) stamped on a piece of paper.
signature stamp(Inkan) is an impression of a stamp registered with a government office or bank. (For details, please see "2. Types of stamps".)
stamp(Insho) refers to the stamp itself. It is stick-shaped and is used to leave a seal.
Seal(Natsuin) is the act of pressing a stamp.
By the way, even Japanese people often use these words incorrectly and end up saying ``inkan'' instead of ``insha,'' so be careful.
The type of stamp you use depends on what you will use it for. Next, let's talk about types of stamps.
Seal(Mitomein)
A seal is a stamp that can be used in place of a signature in everyday life to indicate that something has been confirmed. For example, a seal is used when receiving parcels. There is no need to register your seal with a government office, so you can use it immediately after purchasing it. If you are frequently asked for a confirmation signature in your daily life, it may be convenient to have a personal seal. However, in general, foreigners are not expected to have a personal seal, and in most cases a signature can be used instead, so don't worry if you don't have one. It's also relatively easy to purchase, so it's a good idea to keep it as a souvenir.
bank seal(Ginkouin)
A bank stamp is a stamp used to verify your identity at banks. Like an ID, it is used to prove that you are not someone else.
If you want to use a stamp as a bank seal, you need to register it at the bank. When you want to withdraw money from your account or carry out important procedures, please be aware that if the stamp does not match the registered bank seal, you will not be able to complete the procedure.
International students often open bank accounts for purposes such as depositing scholarship funds and paying rent for dormitories and apartments, so we recommend that you have a bank stamp.
registered seal(jijin)
A registered seal is used to stamp important documents. In order to publicly prove that it was the person who affixed the seal on the document, the stamp called a registered seal must be registered at a ward office, city hall, etc. Additionally, if you register your stamp as a registered seal, you will be given a document called a seal registration card.
A registered seal is used when, for example, when buying a house or car, when signing a loan contract, or when establishing a company.
General international students are not required to have a registered seal, but if you are planning to enter into an important contract such as the one mentioned above, we recommend registering a registered seal.
Now, is it possible to use the same stamp as a registered seal, bank seal, and registered seal?
In conclusion, it is possible. However, since registered seals and bank seals are important for identity verification, it is best to refrain from using them as registered seals. This is because registered seals are easy to copy, increasing the risk of misuse.
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Stamps come in a variety of sizes and materials.
The diameter is chosen from 10.5mm, 12.0mm, 13.5mm, 15.0mm, 16.5mm or 18.0mm. In general, there is a standard size for each type of stamp as explained in "2. Types of stamps", and the size of a registered seal is 10.5 mm to 12.0 mm, the size of a bank stamp is 12.0 mm to 15.0 mm, and the size of a registered stamp is 13.5 mm. I tend to choose mm to 18.0mm.
However, while Japanese surnames do not exceed 2-3 kanji characters, foreign surnames are often longer. If you have a long name, there is no problem in making a seal larger than the guideline so that the letters fit perfectly. However, we do not recommend creating a personal seal larger than 13.5mm or a bank seal larger than 15.0mm. The reason is that there is a high possibility that there is not enough space to stamp each stamp.
There are many options for the material of the stamp, just like the size, but basically you can choose any material regardless of the type of stamp.
Popular materials include wood, cow horn, titanium, and crystal. Among these, wood is not expensive, and among these, ``Japanese boxwood'' (also pronounced madder) is often chosen.
If you don't have a lot of money and want a more stylish and durable stamp, cow horn, titanium, or crystal are your options. We can also offer a variety of colors depending on the material.
Are there other materials available?
Some types of stamps include ``rubber stamps'' made of rubber material and ``ink-filled stamps'' (ink-permeable stamps). These are easy to use and convenient to use as a personal seal, but please note that they are not accepted as bank seals or registered seals.
Besides, there is another point to note. In the past, ivory was also used as material for stamps, but it is now against the law. If you are about to be sold an ivory stamp, please be careful as it may be a scam or an illegal sale.
If you want to buy a stamp, where and how should you buy it?
There are two main ways to buy stamps for foreigners: go to a stamp shop or order online. Stamps are also sold at 100 yen shops and stationery shops, but you can basically only find stamps with Japanese names.
Whether ordering a stamp online or in person, the rules and process are generally the same.
First, you have to decide on the name to put on the stamp. You can write your name on the stamp in kanji, katakana, or romaji. If your real name is not in kanji, you may be tempted to make a stamp using kanji, but avoid doing so even if it is a personal seal. Furthermore, you can choose to put only your last name, only the first name, or part of your first name on the stamp, but nicknames etc. cannot be used.
Once you have decided how to add your name, choose the font, size, and material.
The time it takes to make a stamp varies depending on the stamp shop, but you may be able to have it made on the same day.
Also, if you decide to buy a stamp, we recommend buying a stamp case and vermilion along with the stamp.
Stamp cases are necessary for storing stamps so that they can be used for a long time. Also, you need to wipe off the ink on the stamp every time you use it, but even if you can't wipe it off, you can avoid getting the inside of your bag or jacket dirty if you have a case. Stamp cases can be purchased at 100 yen shops, but more stylish cases can be purchased at stamp shops or online. Furthermore, when you travel, you can find wonderful stamp cases around souvenir shops.
Ink is a stamp pad that uses special ink for stamps. Even if you have a stamp pad with "pink" or "red" ink, please note that anything other than vermilion cannot be used for stamps. Vermillion can be purchased at any stationery shop. They come in a variety of sizes, and it is not uncommon to find vermillion ink for small cases, making them convenient to carry.
In addition to the case and vermilion, we also recommend the stamp mat. If you place the stamp mat under the paper you want to stamp, it will prevent the paper from slipping and the stamp will come out clearly. However, stamps are easy to use even without a stamping mat.
A bank seal registered at a bank or a registered seal registered at a government office is an important item used to verify your identity, so if you lose it, there is a risk that someone will misuse it. To prevent this risk, as soon as you confirm that you have lost your bank seal or registered seal, go to the bank (or the government office in the case of a registered seal) and report the loss. Also, please let the police know that you lost your stamp. Please note that if you notify your bank that you have lost your bank seal, transactions in your account will be suspended.
The next thing you need to do is register your new seal. After checking what you need to bring to register, submit those items and a new stamp to the counter and re-register.
In this article, we have explained the basics about stamps, such as their types, shapes, how to buy them, and what to do if you lose them. If you plan to live in Japan for a long period of time, a stamp will come in handy, so be sure to order one. Also, even if you are studying abroad for a short period of time, it may make a good souvenir.
In Japan, in addition to the stamps used for documents as explained in this article, there is also a stamp called ``Rakkan-in,'' which is used to sign works of art such as Japanese paintings and calligraphy. It's fun to use a seal you bought in Japan on your own pictures, letters, etc., like this signature seal (of course, you can also order a signature seal at a store or online). However, be careful not to use your registered bank seal or registered seal even if you return to your home country.
An employee of ACCESS NEXTAGE Co., Ltd. Career Support Division for Foreigners. Originally from Belarus. She will come to Japan in June 2021 and will participate in the government-sponsored research student program at Ochanomizu University until March 2023. His hobbies are PC games, drawing, and international exchange.
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