Personal Seal (Inkan)

Update date: November 1, 2024

Inkan

A seal (inkan) is required for the daily employee attendance record.

You can order a seal at the Co-op Kaikan Store, Hokubu Store, and Kougakubu Store of the Hokkaido University Co-op.

Anyone from any department (including the School of Fisheries Sciences) can purchase the seal at the above three stores.

The purchasing process for the seal is as follows: place an order via email or visit the store → confirm the draft of the seal via email or in person → make the purchase.

• Kaikan Store
  Email: kaikan1*coop.hokudai.ac.jp
• Hokubu Store
  Email: hokubu-s*coop.hokudai.ac.jp
• Kogakubu Store
  Email: kougakubu-s*coop.hokudai.ac.jp

*Please use “@” in the place of “*” to send an e-mail.

Basic knowledge about inkan stamps

In Japan, an inkan stamp is typically used instead of a signature on application forms when opening a bank account. Stamping your inkan on a document has the same effect as signing it. Since you will need to use this inkan when making withdrawals from your savings account or closing the account, you should take care to keep it in a safe place. The inkan that you register at your local government office, however, is called a jitsuin and is different from other inkan which are referred to as mitomein. The jitsuin is used when making formal contracts or legal documents. You will need a jitsuin, for instance, when you purchase a car. Each foreign resident who has completed their resident registration is permitted to register one jitsuin. While kanji, kana, or roman letters can be used for a mitomein, with a jitsuin, your name must appear as shown on your Residence Card. Since some types of inkan cannot be registered, please inquire at your local government office for more details.