Oita Prefecture Introduces "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal" and Begins Digitalization of Disposition Notices [GMO GlobalSign Holdings]
In February 2026, Oita Prefecture introduced GMO GlobalSign Holdings' electronic official seal system to digitalize administrative disposition notices. Full-scale operation will begin in April, aiming for improved efficiency and better services for residents.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (17h 9m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 04:56 (495h 16m after Collected)
GMO GlobalSign Holdings K.K. (President and CEO: Mitsuru Aoyama; hereinafter, GMO GlobalSign HD) announces that its service for digitalizing administrative disposition notices and similar documents, "GMO Sign Administrative Reform DX Electronic Official Seal" (hereinafter, GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal), was introduced to Oita Prefecture (Governor: Kiichiro Sato; hereinafter, Oita Prefecture) in February 2026.
With this, Oita Prefecture is now able to issue disposition notices (notification documents based on laws and regulations issued by administrative agencies), which were previously issued on paper, as electronic documents with electronic signatures using the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal." This is expected to yield effects such as improving administrative services to enhance convenience for prefectural residents by speeding up the issuance process, as well as improving internal operational efficiency and reducing costs by mitigating the time and expenses required for printing and mailing paper documents. Oita Prefecture is expected to commence full-scale operation in April 2026 or later, advancing the digitalization of disposition notices using the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal."
[Background of Introduction]
To realize the "Oita Prefecture DX Promotion Strategy" (*1) set forth by the prefecture, Oita Prefecture is promoting various DX initiatives so that individual procedures and services can be completed using digital technology, and one-stop, resident-centric administrative services can be provided using smartphones and other devices regardless of time or place. As a specific measure, in September 2022, the prefecture introduced the "GMO Sign Administrative Reform DX Electronic Contract," an electronic contract service for local governments developed and operated by GMO GlobalSign HD (*2). Amidst this, the Digital Agency published the "Basic Concepts on the Digitalization of Disposition Notices, etc." (*3) in 2023. To further accelerate the reform of administrative services, Oita Prefecture planned the digitalization of disposition notices and similar documents by promoting the use of electronic signatures, leading to the introduction of the electronic official seal this time.
For the formal introduction of the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal," one of the deciding factors was the "Implementation Support" service, where a dedicated person in charge provides hands-on support from introduction and usage to firm establishment, drawing on the experience of utilizing the electronic contract service "GMO Sign." In addition, the selection points when Oita Prefecture introduced the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal" were as follows:
Points for Oita Prefecture's Introduction of the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal":
- Capable of responding with party-type electronic signatures stating the official responsibilities of the head of the local government.
- Acquired the security certification "ISMAP" stipulated by the Japanese government.
- Support for creating operation manuals for the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal."
- Support for revising established rules and regulations through the implementation support service.
By utilizing the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal," time and costs associated with operations such as printing, mailing, storage, and disposal will be significantly reduced, leading to paperless operations and improved efficiency of administrative work. Furthermore, by strictly managing the usage authority of electronic signatures, it contributes to the prevention of unauthorized use and the strengthening of governance. Since it also complies with the guidelines regarding the digitalization of disposition notices and similar documents advocated by the Digital Agency to prevent risks such as spoofing and document falsification, disposition notices can be digitalized safely and securely.
With this, Oita Prefecture is now able to issue disposition notices (notification documents based on laws and regulations issued by administrative agencies), which were previously issued on paper, as electronic documents with electronic signatures using the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal." This is expected to yield effects such as improving administrative services to enhance convenience for prefectural residents by speeding up the issuance process, as well as improving internal operational efficiency and reducing costs by mitigating the time and expenses required for printing and mailing paper documents. Oita Prefecture is expected to commence full-scale operation in April 2026 or later, advancing the digitalization of disposition notices using the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal."
[Background of Introduction]
To realize the "Oita Prefecture DX Promotion Strategy" (*1) set forth by the prefecture, Oita Prefecture is promoting various DX initiatives so that individual procedures and services can be completed using digital technology, and one-stop, resident-centric administrative services can be provided using smartphones and other devices regardless of time or place. As a specific measure, in September 2022, the prefecture introduced the "GMO Sign Administrative Reform DX Electronic Contract," an electronic contract service for local governments developed and operated by GMO GlobalSign HD (*2). Amidst this, the Digital Agency published the "Basic Concepts on the Digitalization of Disposition Notices, etc." (*3) in 2023. To further accelerate the reform of administrative services, Oita Prefecture planned the digitalization of disposition notices and similar documents by promoting the use of electronic signatures, leading to the introduction of the electronic official seal this time.
For the formal introduction of the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal," one of the deciding factors was the "Implementation Support" service, where a dedicated person in charge provides hands-on support from introduction and usage to firm establishment, drawing on the experience of utilizing the electronic contract service "GMO Sign." In addition, the selection points when Oita Prefecture introduced the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal" were as follows:
Points for Oita Prefecture's Introduction of the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal":
- Capable of responding with party-type electronic signatures stating the official responsibilities of the head of the local government.
- Acquired the security certification "ISMAP" stipulated by the Japanese government.
- Support for creating operation manuals for the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal."
- Support for revising established rules and regulations through the implementation support service.
By utilizing the "GMO Sign Electronic Official Seal," time and costs associated with operations such as printing, mailing, storage, and disposal will be significantly reduced, leading to paperless operations and improved efficiency of administrative work. Furthermore, by strictly managing the usage authority of electronic signatures, it contributes to the prevention of unauthorized use and the strengthening of governance. Since it also complies with the guidelines regarding the digitalization of disposition notices and similar documents advocated by the Digital Agency to prevent risks such as spoofing and document falsification, disposition notices can be digitalized safely and securely.