稟 議 書(りんぎしょ)

りんぎしょ

noun

written proposal for approval; approval request document

1. written proposal for internal approval; request for decision document

A formal document circulated within a Japanese organization to obtain approval from multiple managers or executives before a decision or expenditure can proceed. A key component of the ringi system of consensus-based decision-making.

稟議書(りんぎしょ)を回(まわ)す。

To circulate an approval request document.

新(あたら)しいパソコンを購入(こうにゅう)するために稟議書(りんぎしょ)を作成(さくせい)した。

I drafted an approval request to purchase a new computer.

部長(ぶちょう)の承認(しょうにん)がないと稟議書(りんぎしょ)が先(さき)に進(すす)まないので、早(はや)めに相談(そうだん)しておこう。

The approval document can't move forward without the department head's sign-off, so let's consult them early.

A core concept of Japanese corporate culture. The 稟議(りんぎ) system (also written 禀議(りんぎ)) is a bottom-up decision-making process where a proposal originates at a lower level and is circulated upward through the organization, collecting approval stamps (判子(はんこ) or 印鑑(いんかん)) from each relevant manager.

This process can be slow but ensures that all stakeholders are informed and have a chance to object. Many companies have moved to electronic ringi systems (電子稟議(でんしりんぎ)) to speed up the process.

Common collocations

稟議書(りんぎしょ)を回(まわ)す: to circulate an approval document
稟議書(りんぎしょ)を作成(さくせい)する: to draft an approval document
稟議書(りんぎしょ)を提出(ていしゅつ)する: to submit an approval document
稟議書(りんぎしょ)が通(とお)る: for an approval document to be approved
稟議書(りんぎしょ)が却下(きゃっか)される: for an approval to be rejected

Similar words

稟議(りんぎ): the ringi system/process itself — the broader concept
決裁(けっさい): formal approval, authorization — the act of approving
起案(きあん): drafting a proposal — the first step before ringi

Related Words

Compare: 決裁(けっさい) (formal approval, authorization)

Compare: 起案(きあん) (drafting a proposal)

Compare: 企画書(きかくしょ) (proposal)

general

Added 2026.4.30 0:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

26000/26152_ringisho