Ringi

Ringi is a traditional Japanese consensus-based decision-making process used in organizations. The term comes from ringi-sho, literally documents circulated for signatures. The process begins when a staff member drafts a proposal, often for a policy, project, budget, or organizational change.

The draft is circulated through the organization as a formal document. Each recipient reviews, comments, and may request revisions. Signatures (or stamps) are collected in a specific order, typically moving from lower to higher levels of authority. Once the required approvals are obtained, the decision is considered final and implementation proceeds.

Ringi emphasizes group consensus, accountability, and the protection of face. It helps align departments and provides a clear paper trail. It can also slow decision-making, as the chain of signatures can be lengthy, and individuals may defer responsibility by routing authority upward. In practice, the system encourages junior staff to prepare proposals with broad input.

In modern times, many organizations use hybrid approaches or digital ringi systems, but the basic principle remains: decisions accrue legitimacy through documented consensus rather than unilateral decrees. It remains prominent in Japanese corporations and government bodies, though its prominence varies with firm size and management philosophy.