What is Hanko?
- Dec 16, 2022
- 1 min read
In Japan, instead of signing a document, you use a "hanko". This is your personal name seal.
Signatures are accepted occasionally, but large purchases, such as a car, often require a signature. hannko has two types. One is a casual seal, called a "miri-in," which can be used for bank, business, and city hall documents. The other is a formal seal called a jitsuin, which is registered at city hall.
You can make their stamps in katakana!
I found this article quite interesting especially the explanation that a hanko is often used instead of a signature for official documents in Japan. It made me realize how different everyday systems can be across cultures. The part about different types of hanko for personal and business use stood out to me because I had never thought about stamps having that level of importance. While reading I was reminded of how even students using services like Assignment Help Company dedicated to providing premium tailored academic support for university students across all major Australian cities might struggle to understand such cultural practices at first. It makes me curious how long it takes for someone new to Japan to feel comfortable using…