The Ringi process is unique to Japanese businesses. Supposedly invented as a way to avoid meetings, it is a way to approve decisions and take responsibility as a group, which originates from the country’s agricultural history. It’s true that it takes time to come to a decision, but it does prevent unfairness. Who makes the final OK usually depends on the amount of money involved, and everyone in between are equally in charge of approving the proposal.
But what if the president or a department head wants to start a ringi process? No worries—in that case just set the organizational hierarchy into the process model and make it possible to start the process from any stage.