power of attorney; proxy; authorization
A formal document granting someone authority to act on another's behalf, especially in legal or business matters.
委任状があれば、代理人が契約を結べます。
With a power of attorney, a proxy can sign the contract.
株主総会に出席するために委任状を提出した。
I submitted a proxy form to attend the shareholders' meeting.
代理 refers to the proxy or representative themselves, while 委任状 is the document granting proxy authority.
power of attorney
general power of attorney
blank power of attorney; carte blanche
attorney-in-fact
Compound of 委任 (delegation) + 状 (document). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with legal delegation documents.