Individual Number Card (“My Number Card”)

1. Numbering, using, and information sharing of My Number① Since October 2015, every resident in Japan has been assigned My Number：a 12-digit number
created and reported when a Certificate of Residence is registered. There is no need for residents totake any action to obtain their My Number.
② Starting January 2016, My Numbers are used for work-related procedures in the areas of social
security, taxation, and disaster response. The use of My Numbers is stipulated by the My Number Act.
③ Starting November 2017, personal information is exchanged between administrative organs and otherorganizations under a special network system based on the My Number Act. As a result, citizens may
no longer need to submit various accompanying documents, such as Certificates of Residence andCertificates of Tax, when performing various procedures.
④ To use an My Number, identity verification (number and identity confirmation) is required. There arerules related to acquisition, use, provision, storage, safety management, and more. Additionally, thecollection and storage of My Numbers for purposes other than those stipulated by the My Number Actare prohibited.
⑤ Corporate Numbers are 13-digit numbers that anyone can use freely.
Digital Agency

As of Nov. 2023

2. "My Number Card"①Once you receive your My Number notification, you can apply for a card with your facial photo.

②

This “My Number Card” can be used for identity verification and confirmation of your existence.

③

The card is equipped with IC chips that allow for electronic authentication without using My Numbers.
The card can be used for various public and private purposes.
In January 2016, the issuance of the cards started, and measures were taken to encourage theirspread and utilization.
As of October 1, 2023, there have been 97,468,481 cumulative applications, which is a ratio of 77.4%of the population.

3. Mynaportal①

Mynaportal is a website that allows individuals to check how their My Number information is
exchanged between administrative organs and to confirm the information itself.

②

It also provides various notices and services for public and private procedures. The website started
full-scale operations in November 2017.
Digital Agency

2

Information sharing under the My Number System
Under the My Number Act, a special network system is used to facilitate the exchange of personal information
between administrative organizations and other entities. This allows various documents like Certificates ofResidence and Certificates of Tax to be omitted when performing various procedures.

Overview of information sharing
Certificate of Residence-related information (information other than the 4 basic types of information indicatedon Certificates of Residence such as address, name, date of birth, and gender)
Residents no longer need to obtain a Certificate of Residence when applying for○ Childcare allowance payment○ Insurance benefit payment, etc.
Information related to resident taxes or income used as the basis for calculating such taxes
Residents no longer need to submit Certificate of Tax or others when applying for○ Child allowance payment○ Long-term care insurance premium reductions andexemptions, etc.

(4) Benefits
No need for aCertificate ofTax

For instance, if you have moved from City
A to City B and need to apply for a childallowance, you can do so withoutobtaining a new Certificate of Residenceor Certificate of Tax.

(1)Application(2)Inquiry

City A

Digital Agency(3)Provision

Information
related to taxes orincomeCity B3

Ensuring the safety and security of the My Number System
Concerns of citizens regarding the use of My Numbers:•••

Is there a risk of using My Numbers to track personal data and identify individuals?
Does the unauthorized use of My Numbers, such as impersonation, result in property damage orother types of harm?
Does the government use My Numbers as a key to identify names and centrally manage personalinformation?

Protection of personal information ensured by institutional measures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Institutional measures include identity verification and prohibition of collection and storage of personal
information that includes My Numbers
Creation of the specific personal information files stipulated by the My Number Act
Monitoring and supervision by the Personal Information Protection Commission
Evaluation of the protection of specific personal information is also conducted
Stricter penalties are imposed
Confirming records, including the provision of information via Mynaportal

Protection of personal information ensured by institutional measures
1.
2.
3.
4.

Systematic measures involve decentralized management of personal information
Instead of using My Numbers, codes are used for information sharing
Access control is used to restrict and manage who can access personal information
Communications are encrypted to ensure security
Digital Agency

4

A New Era of Identity Verification with Your “My Number Card”
Front

In-Person identity verification

Name and address

Use as an identity verification tool
Identity confirmation at municipalities
Photograph helps prevent identity fraud
Can verify your identity in official and personal business

Portrait photograph

My NumberElectronic identity verification

Confirm your My Number bypresenting this card
Additional documents unnecessary
when accessing social security
services and processing taxes.

One can safely and securely verify their identity online
using an electronic certificate, which facilitates online
processing on computers and smartphones.
Available to obtain copies of residence certificates andother important documents at convenience stores acrossthe country.
Earn My Number points and use as a health insurance card

My NumberIn the future, AI and other technological advancements will
be utilized to enhance identity verification processes. This
will make it a necessary tool in the Society 5.0 era.
Digital Agency

IC chipBack5

Safely Use Your "My Number Card"
High–Level Security
Prevents identity fraud

・Stop access anytime of the year
in the event of loss or theft

Photograph prevents
in-person attempts at
identity fraud

・Set your security code on an app,which locks access after numerous,
unsuccessful attempts
・IC chip breaks during unauthorized
attempts to access information

No personal data recorded
No personal data canbe extracted fromMy Number.

The IC chip does notcontain confidential
information such as tax andpension details.
Use the Card’s electronic
certificate online, not yourMy Number
Digital Agency

5

“My Number” and “My Number Card”① My Number
・Your My Number can only be used for government matters relating tosocial security, taxation or disaster prevention, and for purposes
specified by local government regulations.
・The entities that can use your My Number are limited to those
stipulated by law. These include government agencies and employers.
Entities that do not have access to the number cannot collect and store
your My Number.

ＩＣ Chip

Electronic certificate
Free space
Other(card information, etc.)

・In addition to government procedures (e.g., e-Tax, printing of official
documents at convenience stores), "My Number Card“ can be used toaccess private services as determined by the Prime Minister and theMinister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

③ Free Space・Municipalities and prefectures can regulate use according tolocal ordinances, while the national government can regulate
use according to regulations set by the Prime Minister andthe Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. (ie., useas a stamp registration card and ID card for government
employees
・Private companies may accept "My Number Card" inaccordance with regulations issued by the Prime Minister andthe Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Various Uses in Public and Private Sectors② Electronic Certificate（Electronic Signature, Electronic UserVerification)

Use Restricted byLaws and Ordinances

Back-Side of "My Number Card"

6

Making the "My Number Card" More Versatile
Ⅰ Online Government Services
Creating infrastructure for residents to send online
applications to local municipalities

Municipalities can send announcements to residents⇒Create a society, based on the "My Number Card", where you can access services online.
① Moving② Child-care・Nursing・Disasters③ Simplify Tax Returns④ Other Procedures

Ⅱ Citizen Card UsePromoting "My Number Card" use
without a security PIN

Supported by “Digital Garden City
Initiative” grants

Listen to the needs of residents.
Propose merits and recommend uses

→ Create a society that provides various governmental services with "My Number Card"※ Working to provide opportunities for utilizing your "My Number Card" as a health insurance card, driving
license, proof of residence, and for obtaining various qualifications.
①

Library Card,
Seal registration②

Convenience store
issuance service③

Employee Card

④ Other Uses

Ⅲ Safe and Convenient Identity Verification for Private Services
Electronic certificate usage is free for3 years.

Promote the use of "My Number
Card" without a security PIN.

Listen to the requirements of companies,
propose the benefits, and suggest
appropriate applications.

→ Plan to expand situations for "My Number Card" use in the private sector→ Aim to include various private services, such as opening of bank accounts and completing life insurance
contract agreements to “My Number Card”.

Digital Agency

7JPKI（Japanese Public Key Infrastructure）•The "My Number Card", with the electronic certificate on its IC chip, enables secure and dependable
identity verification, thereby minimizing the risk of identity fraud and counterfeiting.

＜Example of opening a bank account＞【Before】Confirm identity in person or submit identity verification
documents by mail.
Fill in the documents and submit them to the bank or send identity
verification documents by mail.
Identity Verification
Complete

It takes timeand money!

Bank employee examine
the documents【Improved】Japanese Public Key Infrastructure - Identity Verification Online
Confirmuse

Speedy andinexpensive!

PrivateCompanyElectroniccertificate

Put the "My Number Card"through a document reader

ResultsJ-LIS＜Merits of using JPKI＞
Speedy and inexpensive
registration for customers(opening accounts)
Can check if the personal
information has been
updated or transferred.
Reliable user confirmation(Higher-level security thana simple ID/PW log-in)
An alternative to privately
issues members cards.

Identity Verification
Complete

Digital Agency

8Electronic Certificates on Your Smartphone
By implementing smartphone electronic certificates, we enable seamless online administrative
procedures to take place at any time and from any location.
Our objective is to enhance the flexibility and accessibility of the Japanese Public Key Infrastructure,making electronic certificates on smartphones indispensable in everyday life, thereby advancing
secure identity verification. This service is now available on Android phones (launched 11 May 2023).
Smartphone support will be gradually extended tothe listed services.
（Before）
Scan your "My Number Card" onmobiles and IC card readers.

Use of Mynaportal

Enhanceconvenience ofsmartphone withbiometric verification
123456789x0

Childrearing
supportBanking andSecurities,
Account opening

MovingApplying formobile phones

Tax returns

Cashlesspayment
application

Medicine andmedical checkup
information
Maternal andChild Health
Handbook

Digital Agency

Applications and usage ofvarious private services

Vaccinations

OthersConvenience
store printing

9

Health insurance
card9