# Japan's My Number System Faces Data Breaches and Growing Dissent
Written on
Chapter 1: Understanding the My Number System
The Japanese government is actively promoting its My Number system, but recent data breaches have sparked significant concerns. What exactly is My Number?
"My Number" refers to Japan's individual identification system, intended to consolidate government records for citizens across various agencies. Traditionally, Japan has depended on the family registry system (戸籍; koseki) to verify identities, which utilizes multiple data points such as birth dates and family connections. Both Japanese nationals and foreign residents can apply for a My Number card.
The shift to a national ID system has faced challenges since its inception in 2013 under the administration of Shinzo Abe. Several advocacy groups have consistently opposed this initiative on principle, recalling the protests surrounding the Juki Net database established in 1999, which activists sought to have declared unconstitutional.
Section 1.1: Voluntary Adoption and Slow Progress
Given the resistance, the Japanese government has made acquiring a My Number card optional, resulting in slow adoption rates over the years. When I last discussed My Number in 2021, only 39% of residents had requested a card. The primary reason cited by those who chose not to apply was that they felt it unnecessary. Many residents still rely on their residence and national health insurance cards for everyday identification.
However, this is rapidly changing. For instance, I recently learned that you cannot send or receive international wire transfers in Japan without either a My Number or a corporate registration number registered with your bank.
Moreover, the government has introduced additional pressure to obtain a My Number card. A legal revision passed in March plans to phase out the national health insurance card entirely. Health insurance will now be linked to the My Number card, with the goal of abolishing the health care card by 2024.
While acquiring a My Number card is not mandatory, those who opt out will need to obtain a temporary health care certificate from their local ward or regional office, which must be renewed annually. Plans are also underway to integrate the My Number card with driver's licenses.
Subsection 1.1.1: Benefits of the My Number Card
Having a My Number card allows individuals to complete a growing number of official procedures online. For example, foreign residents can utilize their My Number card for certain immigration-related tasks, and the variety of government services accessible online is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
As a result of this initiative, more individuals are applying for My Number cards. According to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as of April 2023, 76.9% of residents had requested a card, with 69.8% of those requests fulfilled.
Chapter 2: Data Breaches Raise Concerns
While the push for universal adoption continues, troubling data breaches have left many Japanese residents questioning the security of their personal information. One significant issue involved proof of residence certificates, which can be printed at select convenience stores. Between March and May, four individuals reported receiving residence certificates belonging to other people.
In another incident in Niigata, a resident retrieving their inkan certificate—used to validate ownership of an official seal—received documents for an old seal that they no longer utilized. Additionally, at least five confirmed cases involved residents discovering that their My Number cards were linked to someone else's medical information, posing a severe breach of privacy.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) attributes some of these incidents to incorrect data entry at local offices. Digital Minister Kono Taro held Fujitsu Japan, the service implementor, responsible for the residency certificate issues and stated that they have paused the service until they can uncover the root cause.
Section 2.1: Government Accountability in the Digital Age
Despite Japan's reputation for advanced technology, many sectors still operate on outdated analog methods. Traditional banking often relies on paper forms, and the use of fax machines and physical seals remains common. While cashless payment options have been growing, they still lag behind those in China and South Korea.
Fortunately, Japan's Digital Agency is striving to modernize these processes. Minister Kono Taro is leading several initiatives aimed at digitizing traditional practices, including eliminating floppy disks.
However, some experts express concern that the government may be neglecting its duty to protect citizens in this transition. Political science professor Shiratori Hiroshi from Hosei University argues that the issue extends beyond mere data entry errors. He states, “The government seems to underestimate how its handling of personal information can significantly impact individual citizens' lives.”
These ongoing problems could hinder the broader rollout of the My Number system and other digitization efforts. A survey conducted by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications identified security concerns as the primary obstacle to digitization. If the government fails to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding citizens' data, its push for digital transformation may stall.