Takken-shi (licensed transaction specialist)

The takken-shi (formally takchi-tatemono-torihiki-shi) is the nationally licensed individual who can legally perform the regulated parts of a property transaction — above all, explaining the Important Matters statement and stamping it with their registered seal. A real estate office must employ at least one per a set number of staff. This matters to you because the person who can sign off on disclosure is not necessarily the salesperson you've been chatting with; the explanation must be delivered by an actual license holder, who shows you their license card. If your disclosure meeting is handled by someone who can't produce that credential, that's a red flag worth stopping over.