Hanko
Even though nowadays in package delivery, autograph can be used to verify person's identity, traditional Japanese seal, known as hanko, has still remained as very important tool in life in Japan. Salarymen use it, highschool students use it, families use it. Anywhere there is a official paperwork, hanko will be in use.
There are two kind of hankos one for family or personal use, usually containing formed kanji straightly from person's last name, like "shima". These hankos can be also bought for very cheap prize from local stores or souvenir shops. In Asakusa in Tokyo forexample, there are tons of hankos, starting from 100yen.
Another type of hanko, registered hanko is then more complex and it's made so that it is very difficult to forge. This is used in business life forexample to show that person who placed his hanko is responsible for the content.
There is a story of a foreigner who wanted to open bank account in Japan. His signature was not enough since the bank had the policy to had all account holder's hankos. So the local manager of the bank borrowed his hanko to the foreigner and therefore thing was handled.
