Difference of signature between Japan and western countries

     A seal is only used in a part of the East Asia including Japan now, so there are differences of signature between Japan and western countries.

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1.Japan

     A seal is the mainstream for a long time in Japan. A seal has a close relation to daily life of Japanese people. In addition to that, sealing has a legal effect for identify verification. The ordinance of the Grand Council of State given in 1873 started that the official document which is not signed and sealed is not accepted at a trial.

2.Western countries

     A signature is the mainstream as a way of identity verification in modern western countries. It began in the around 19th century. There were few people who could read and write in Europe of the Middle Ages, so a seal was used by letter. A signature has begun to use since the around 15th century. A seal was used together with a signature, but the seal came to hardly be used. Today seal is used for some official documents such as diplomatic documents and identification papers.