noun
ringi system; consensus-based approval system
A traditional Japanese decision-making process in which a proposal is circulated among relevant parties for approval before final authorization. Common in government and corporate settings.
日本の大企業では、今でも稟議制度が重要な意思決定の手段として使われている。
In large Japanese companies, the ringi system is still used as an important means of decision-making.
新しいプロジェクトを始める前に、稟議制度に従って関係部署の承認を得なければならない。
Before starting a new project, we must obtain approval from related departments according to the ringi system.
Compound of 稟議 (ringi, 'submitting a proposal for approval') and 制度 (seido, 'system'). 稟議 itself derives from 稟 (rin, 'petition') and 議 (gi, 'deliberation').