Electronic Signature Legality in Japan
Japan recognized electronic signatures under the Electronic Signatures Act in 2001, and adoption accelerated significantly in 2020 with government guidance on replacing hanko seals. SigPDF creates valid electronic signatures processed entirely in your browser.
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Legal Framework for Electronic Signatures in Japan
Japan's electronic signature framework is governed by the Act on Electronic Signatures and Certification Business(Law No. 102 of 2000), effective from April 2001. The Civil Code (民法) allows contracts to be formed by mutual consent without requiring written form in most cases.
Key Legislation
- Act on Electronic Signatures (2001) — establishes legal validity of electronic signatures
- Civil Code (民法) — contracts valid by mutual consent, no form requirement in most cases
- Act on Facilitation of IT Use in Public Procedures (2002) — enables electronic government procedures
- APPI (個人情報保護法) — personal information protection act
Documents signable with electronic signatures in Japan
- Business service agreements and contracts
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDA / 秘密保持契約)
- Employment contracts (雇用契約書, with employee consent)
- Purchase orders and commercial agreements
- Lease agreements (with landlord/tenant consent)
- Freelance and contractor agreements
Documents that may require special form
- Real estate registrations (法務局 filings)
- Court documents requiring specific certification
- Notarized documents (公正証書)
- Corporate registry filings
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electronic signatures legal in Japan?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Japan under the Act on Electronic Signatures and Certification Business (電子署名及び認証業務に関する法律), enacted in 2001. The Civil Code also establishes that contracts can be formed by mutual consent in any form, including electronically.
What is the Electronic Signatures Act in Japan?
The Act on Electronic Signatures and Certification Business (Law No. 102 of 2000, effective 2001) establishes that electronic documents signed with a valid electronic signature have the same presumptive legal force as handwritten signatures. It also regulates certification business operators (認定認証事業者) that issue qualified electronic certificates.
What types of electronic signatures are recognized in Japan?
Japan does not use the same three-tier EU model, but distinguishes between general electronic signatures and certified electronic signatures backed by a qualified certificate from an accredited certification authority (認定認証事業者). SigPDF creates general electronic signatures suitable for most private commercial contracts.
Is a SigPDF signature valid for Japanese business contracts?
Yes. For most private commercial agreements — service contracts, NDAs, business agreements, purchase orders — an electronic signature created with SigPDF is valid under the Act and the Civil Code, provided the parties agree to use electronic means. Japan has seen widespread electronic contract adoption since 2020.
Did Japan make changes to e-signature rules during COVID-19?
Yes. In 2020, the Japanese government issued guidance confirming that contracts that previously required a personal seal (印鑑, hanko) can be concluded electronically in most cases. This significantly expanded practical use of electronic signatures. Many previously paper-bound processes were digitized.
Which documents still require traditional signatures or seals in Japan?
Some documents still require traditional forms: real estate transactions registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局); court filings requiring a specific format; notarized documents; and certain government submissions. Labor contracts (雇用契約書) can generally be done electronically with employee consent.
Does SigPDF upload my documents to any server?
No. SigPDF processes your documents entirely in your browser. Your files never leave your device, which supports compliance with Japan's Act on Protection of Personal Information (個人情報の保護に関する法律, APPI) for documents containing personal data.