In Japan personal seals are required to buy a car, rent an apartment or get married
over the shelves in Fujio Kawasaki’s shop. Customers once sought out this corner of Tokyo for quality, the personal seals Japanese use as signatures. Among the goods on display is a seal carved from elephant tusk, a relic from a bygone era. Nobody will fork out ¥80,000 for such items these days, says Mr Kawasaki. Now he fears the government will force him out of business altogether.are a feature of life in Japan. Every adult—even the emperor—has one.
The rationale for the legislation is simple and sound, argues Takuya Hirai, minister of science and technology. Japanese people waste far too much time filling in forms, he says; the shrinking population can no longer afford to maintain this bloated paper-based bureaucracy. Mr Hirai has little sympathy for the sentimental national attachment to personal seals.industry has reacted with an emotional letter, pleading with Mr Hirai to scrap his plans.
Many Japanese seem ready to let go, however. The use of signatures had been spreading even before the government got involved. Mr Kawasaki’s shop is more than 80 years old. His father founded it. But it will not survive to the next generation, Mr Kawasaki laments.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thousands of poisonous toads invade Florida neighborhood, endangering petsA representative from a toad removal company described the situation as a 'toad vortex.'
Read more »
On an island in San Diego, an endangered bird species faces tough odds to surviveDrive to Fiesta Island, walk all the way to the end and you’ll run into a fence with a sign that says, “Do not disturb.” It protects one of the last remaining patches of sand dune where the endangered California least tern can nest and nurture its chicks.
Read more »
Cyclone's huge floods endangers the lives of more than 100,000 in southern AfricaMore than 1,000 people were feared dead in Mozambique four days after a cyclone slammed into the country.
Read more »
Cyclone's huge floods endangers thousands in southern Africa
Read more »
Cyclone's huge floods endanger thousands in southern Africa
Read more »
NYC official: Kushner firm flouted rules, endangered tenantsNEW YORK (AP) — A New York City councilman accused the Kushner family real estate company on Tuesday of putting tenants in danger by allowing several of its building to avoid safety...
Read more »
NBA roundup: Nuggets top Celtics, seal playoff spotNikola Jokic had 21 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, and the Denver Nugget...
Read more »
Special counsel Mueller has no sealed indictments as Russia probe ends: NBC NewsSpecial counsel Robert Mueller has concluded his investigation and will not file any more indictments in connection with his inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.
Read more »
America's first black Navy SEAL is on a mission to diversify unitBill Goines travels the country to recruit young men and women of color for the military's most elite group.
Read more »
Beto O'Rourke responds to GOP's tweet of his 1998 mugshot: Voters don't care about 'personal attacks'The official GOP Twitter account on Sunday tweeted a 1998 mugshot of O’Rourke with a leprechaun hat photoshopped over his head and the words “please drink responsibly” on a placard underneath.
Read more »