Learn in the textbookOnline Government Procedures, the Number System, and Disaster-Prevention Information
DefinitionE-application (電子申請) is a system for filing applications and notifications with government agencies over the internet instead of visiting a counter.
ExplanationTax returns and various notifications can be completed without being tied to office hours or locations, and the government spends less effort receiving and keying in papers. One way for individuals to prove their identity online is the Public Certification Service for Individuals (公的個人認証). It is a mechanism that confirms the applicant's identity with an electronic certificate (電子証明書) issued by a public body.
AnalogyIt is as if the government office's reception counter moved online, so you can hand in papers from home.