決裁

• Reading: けっさい
• Romaji: kessai
• Kanji breakdown: 決 (ketsu) — decide, determine; 裁 (sai) — judge, arbitrate, sanction
• Pronunciation: /kes.sai/

Meaning

Approval; authorisation; sanction. The act of a person with authority formally approving a proposal, expenditure, or decision after reviewing it.

A central concept in Japanese organisational culture. Major decisions and expenditures require 決裁 from the appropriate authority level (部長決裁, 社長決裁, etc.), typically submitted via a 稟議書 (ringi-sho, a formal approval document circulated up the hierarchy). The 決裁権限 (approval authority) matrix defines who can approve what. Electronic approval systems (電子決裁) are increasingly replacing paper-based 稟議 processes. Distinct from 決済 (financial settlement/payment), which is a homophone.

Examples

1. この金額の支出は部長決裁が必要なため、稟議書を作成して提出した。 Since expenditure of this amount requires approval from the department manager, a formal approval document (ringi-sho) was prepared and submitted.
2. 社長の決裁を得るまでに、複数の部門長による確認と押印が求められる。 Before obtaining the president's approval, confirmation and a seal of approval from multiple department heads is required.
3. 電子決裁システムを導入したことで、稟議の承認スピードが大幅に向上した。 The introduction of an electronic approval system has significantly accelerated the speed at which approval documents are processed.

Usage Guide

Context: corporate management, approval processes, bureaucracy, office culture

Tone: official

Origin & History

Compound of 決 (to decide, determine) and 裁 (to judge, arbitrate, cut through). Together they convey the act of a superior decisively judging and approving a matter brought before them.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Corporate/Administrative