Monday, June 3, 2019

"SUTEIN(捨印)" - a very unique Japanese business practice

Among Japanese business practices, I think “SUTEIN(捨印)” is one of the most surprising ones for non-Japanese people.

1. What Is SUTEIN?

It is a well-known practice that name seals are used in Japan to show ones’ wills in documents like contracts or applications. “SUTEIN” is an additional seal that one is required to put on such documents to show his/her prior-consent to future possible corrections of the documents.

2. How SUTEIN Works

It often happens that some parts of a contract or an application are found to be corrected after you have put your name seal on it and handed it to the other party. In such a case, if there is “SUTEIN” on it, an extra name seal of yours, the other party doesn’t have to send it back to you, because “SUTEIN” allows him/her to correct it by him/herself only with your oral approval.

3. A Very Unique Japanese Business Practice

This practice has come from the people’s need to save time of submitting the documents again and from our general perception that everyone is naturally trusted. It is, however, a very ambiguous practice for non-Japanese people. A correction done by the other party based on your oral approval? Who assures whether he/she has rectified it correctly? What happens if he/she intentionally adjusts the documents without obtaining your approval?

So, I think “SUTEIN” is very Japanese.




written by YAMAMOTO CPA OFFICE  https://www.accounting-solutions-japan.tokyo/en-home