Ringi (稟議)

Abstract

The Japanese ringi system is a collective, “bottom‐up” decision‐making process in which the written proposal called ringisho (稟議書) is passed along to those concerned throughout the organization for approval. Like nemawashi (see the entry on nemawashi ), ringi has been part of the social norm in Japan, typically used in business and government organizations. Although it is difficult to translate ringi into English because of its close tie to unique cultural values and tradition in Japan, it is often described as “circulating decision”.