委任状

• Reading: いにんじょう
• Romaji: ininjou
• Kanji breakdown: 委 (i) — entrust; 任 (nin) — duty; 状 (jou/katachi) — letter, document
• Pronunciation: /i.niɴ.dʑoː/

Meaning

Power of attorney; letter of proxy; a written document authorising another person to act on the issuer's behalf in legal or business matters.

A compound noun combining 委任 (inin — delegation) and 状 (jou — letter, document). Required in various legal proceedings, shareholder meetings, and real estate transactions. Without a valid 委任状, a proxy cannot legally represent the principal. The 状 suffix is a common marker for official written instruments in Japanese (cf. 招待状 — invitation, 礼状 — letter of thanks).

Examples

1. 株主総会に出席できないため、委任状を提出して議決権を行使した。 As I was unable to attend the general shareholders' meeting, I submitted a proxy form to exercise my voting rights.
2. 不動産の売買には公証された委任状が必要な場合がある。 A notarised power of attorney may be required for real estate transactions.
3. 委任状には委任者の署名と印鑑が必要だ。 A power of attorney requires the signature and seal of the authorising party.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, finance, governance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combination of 委任 (delegation) and 状 (jou — letter, written form). The 状 suffix indicates an official written instrument, giving the compound the sense of a formal document of authority.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional