Electronic signatures are being
used more and more
In
recent years, electronic signatures (hereinafter
called "e-signatures") are being used more and
more in various aspects of life cycle of a
company, such as in the certification for
articles of incorporation, bidding, contracts
and agreements, patent applications and tax
payments.
Fig. The
various aspects of using e-signatures
in a
life cycle of a company
The number of electronic certificates
related to accredited certification business
issued under the e-Signature Act amounts to more
than 850,000 in 2011.
Also, many
electronic certificates are issued for various
purposes apart from accredited certification
business.
*
Click the figure above to open the
file
Note 1: The number of issued
electronic certificates related to accredited
certification business that have been revoked is
included.
Note 2: The figures shown are
approximate numbers.
(Difference between the
number of certificates issued and the number of
valid certificates is the number of certificates
"of which valid term has expired" or "of which
became invalidated due to the applications,
etc.")
What are electronic
signatures?
By
using procedures and transactions via the
Internet, the acceleration of work and paperless
work can be expected. On the other hand, the use
of e-signatures could lead to spoofing,
falsification of data, and other problems.
E-signatures are measures for addressing such
threats.
Electronic documents with
e-signatures can now be regarded equivalent to
sealed or signed documents by the Act on
Electronic Signatures and Certification Business
(generally known as the e-Signature Act).
Advantages of
e-signatures
By
using procedures and transactions via the
Internet, the acceleration of work and paperless
work can be expected.
On the other
hand, the use of e-signatures could lead to
spoofing, falsification of data, and other
problems. E-signatures are measures for
addressing such threats.
E-signatures and Personal
Seals
Electronic documents with
e-signatures can now be regarded equivalent to
sealed or signed documents by the Act on
Electronic Signatures and Certification Business
(generally known as the e-Signature Act).
For electronic documents made by
just imaging a sealed paper document, the seal
image itself has no effect in preventing
spoofing or falsification, and it is very
difficult to objectively judge whether the
electronic document is authentic or
not.
It can be used for administrative
procedures
Most
of the central government's administrative
procedures designed for online usage (about
14,000) can be conducted online. In addition,
all prefectural governments and about half of
the local governments also provide online
procedures. (as of 2008)
There are 3 advantages of
using online administrative
procedures.
Reduction of expenses Reducing expenses for
stamps as well as costs for transportation,
printing and mailing can be expected by using
online administrative procedures.
Reduction of typos The damage caused by the
submission of documents that include errors is
irreparable. Through online administrative
procedures, the data of the insured possessed by
Social Insurance Offices or companies can be
transferred from them, and used for social
insurance/ unemployment insurance procedures (9
procedures in total). Furthermore, if your
accounting software that you are familiar with
is compatible with e-Tax, you can conduct daily
accounting and file reports electronically; from
data creation to submission in series.
Raise business efficiency By using online
administrative procedures, you can expect
annoyances such as "fixed time for application"
and "waiting time" to be eradicated. In
addition, you can reuse the data you created
before.
The
following will be eradicated
I was going to go to the application window.
But I was too busy, and when I realized that I
needed to go there, the window was already
closed!
I need to call the application office when I
want to check the status of the application, or
when I have something to ask them. However, the
line is always busy. When I realized that I
needed to call them, the application window was
already closed!
During the application period, whenever I
arrive in the designated period at the
designated time, I have to stand in a long line
for hours!
I arrived at the office a little earlier
than the designated time and waited for my turn.
However, the previous bidding dragged on, so
that I had to wait!
