外国人に「日本の印鑑文化」をわかりやすく説明するテンプレート英文をご用意しました。
ビジネス・カジュアルどちらにも使えるよう、2種類のスタイルで提供します。
📌【ビジネス向けテンプレート】
Subject: Explanation of Japan’s Hanko (Seal) Culture
In Japan, it is common to use a personal seal, called a **"hanko"** or **"inkan,"** instead of a handwritten signature on official documents. This stamp represents an individual's or a company's formal approval or consent.
Hanko are legally recognized and widely used in business contracts, government paperwork, bank transactions, and more. Each person has their own unique hanko, which is usually registered with a local government office to verify its authenticity.
While electronic signatures are becoming more accepted, hanko remains an important part of traditional Japanese business culture.
If you see a stamped red mark (often circular) on documents in Japan, it is most likely a hanko.
🗨️【カジュアル・説明会などで使えるやさしい英語版】
In Japan, instead of signing their names, people often use a personal stamp called a **"hanko"** or **"inkan."**
It’s like a small seal with your name carved into it. People use it to show they agree with something—just like a signature.
We use hanko for many things: contracts, forms at the bank, and even some school documents.
Many adults register their hanko with the city office to make it official.
While some people now use digital signatures, hanko is still very common in daily life and work in Japan.
✅ 解説ポイント（応用の参考に）
| 日本語での意味 | 英語での言い方 | 備考 |
|---|---|---|
| 印鑑登録 | registered seal | 登録済みであることを強調する時に使います |
| 捺印する | to stamp a hanko / to affix a seal | contractに使う動詞として定番 |
| 印影 | seal impression | 書類上の“印鑑の跡”を指します |
| 実印 | officially registered seal / registered personal seal | 法的効力のある印鑑 |
| 認印 | personal seal (not officially registered) | カジュアルな用途（宅配の受け取りなど） |
💡一言加えるなら…
最後に相手の理解を深めるため、こんな一言を添えるのもおすすめです：
“So, while signatures are more common in many countries, in Japan, seals are still an important part of how we show agreement or approval — especially in formal situations.”
