The My Number Card and Japan's Digital Agency

Japan's Digital Agency has helped push the My Number Card past 100 million issued, turning one plastic card into health, ID and smartphone tools.

Published October 26, 2026 at 9:52 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The My Number Card is a government-issued ID with an IC chip, linked to the twelve-digit My Number given to residents of Japan. The Digital Agency, established on September 1, 2021, promotes digital government services around it. According to the agency, about 104 million cards had been issued by the end of July 2026, and over 90 million holders had registered the card for use as a health insurance certificate.

Foreign visitors rarely encounter the My Number Card, but it explains much of what Japan's digital government is doing. People who live in Japan use it for tax returns, moving procedures, health care and certificates, and the Digital Agency is the office coordinating the effort. This guide explains what the card and the agency are, what has changed through 2026, how the smartphone versions work, and what the system means for residents and for visitors who use Digital Agency services such as Visit Japan Web.

What My Number is

My Number, officially the Individual Number, is a twelve-digit identifier issued to citizens and foreign residents of Japan. Wikipedia explains that the first numbers went out in late 2015 and that the number is used for taxation, social security and disaster response, and is also needed for opening a Japanese bank account. Because it works like a social security number, it is sensitive and should be protected.

The My Number Card is the optional card that carries the number and an IC chip. The Digital Agency says the card identifies you in government procedures, lets agencies share information so some attached documents can be skipped, and can verify identity for private-sector services too. Holders can view their name, photo, address and date of birth through the chip, and online services use PINs to protect access.

The Digital Agency

Japan's Digital Agency was established on September 1, 2021, with the mission of strengthening digitalization of government and society. Wikipedia describes its slogan as Government as a Startup and lists its work, which includes integrating government information systems, building common digital infrastructure, standardizing local government systems and applying digital tools to medical care, education and disaster prevention.

In its five-year report, the agency lists several services built around the card and related systems. These include Mynaportal, an online portal for administrative procedures such as moving and passport applications, a public money receiving account that lets people register a deposit account for benefit payments, GBizID, a common login for businesses, and a corporate base registry that began serving administrative bodies nationwide in March 2026.

How many cards and why

The adoption numbers show a steady climb. The Digital Agency's report gives about 47.6 million cards as of September 1, 2021, about 86 million in May 2023, 92 million in March 2024, 97 million in March 2025 and approximately 104.18 million by the end of July 2026. These are counts of cards, and the agency page does not present them as a share of the population.

A major driver was the health insurance use of the card. The report says registrations to use the card as a health insurance certificate exceeded 90 million, equal to 91 percent of card holders. The card can be used at participating medical facilities, and the Digital Agency's My Number site mentions a switch-over beginning in August 2025 for people covered by the senior citizens' medical system and national health insurance, so people in those groups should check the notice.

The card on a smartphone

Smartphone versions make the card easier to carry. Android phones gained electronic certification in May 2023, according to the Digital Agency's study group records, and the agency announced My Number Card on iPhone, which Gigazine reported started on June 24, 2025. Setup requires the physical card, its PIN, a signature password and the My Number Portal app, followed by adding the card to Apple Wallet and verifying identity.

Once set up, the iPhone version can confirm identity with Face ID for online procedures and can be presented in person by holding the phone over a reader. Gigazine notes that the iPhone card does not replace a driver's license, so drivers must still carry a physical license or card. If a phone is lost, the card on it can be suspended remotely, according to the same report.

Driver's licenses and daily life

Another milestone was the combination of the card and a driver's license. Nippon.com reported that from March 24, 2025, drivers could merge their license information into the My Number Card, and could choose to use only the combined card, only the conventional license, or both. The choice is voluntary and depends on each person's situation.

For daily life, the card also supports certificate issuance at convenience stores where the service is available, tax filing through e-Tax and other procedures. The Digital Agency's study group records say the convenience store certificate service was popular and that officials were considering digital issuance to reduce paper certificates. As with any government program, details change, so residents should consult the official portal or their municipal office.

What it means for visitors

Short-stay visitors do not receive a My Number or card, since the system is for residents. The Digital Agency's page does not describe visitor procedures, and it directs people with questions to its My Number toll-free service or the local municipal office. Visitors who plan a long stay on a residence status should ask their ward or city office how the system applies to them.

Visitors do meet the Digital Agency in another way. According to ANA, the agency recommends Visit Japan Web, an online service where travelers register immigration and customs information before arrival and receive a QR code. ANA's page says this helps travelers pass immigration counters and electronic customs declaration terminals more smoothly, that a paper form is still accepted, and that duties can be paid at the airport with smartphone payment apps or credit cards.

Why this matters for the bigger picture

The My Number system shows how Japan is blending a very traditional administrative culture with digital tools. Paper forms and counters still play a role, but more procedures are moving online. The agency's five-year report frames the effort around changing everyday life for individuals.

For travelers and new residents, the message is practical: expect a mix. Many procedures are available digitally, yet some still need an in-person visit, so bring identification and check official guidance. Understanding the My Number Card is one more step toward understanding modern Japan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the My Number Card?

It is an optional government-issued ID card with an IC chip, tied to the twelve-digit My Number given to residents of Japan. The Digital Agency says it identifies you in government procedures and can be used for services such as online administrative portals, health insurance certification and, for some people, driver's license information.

How many people have a My Number Card?

The Digital Agency reports that about 104 million cards had been issued by the end of July 2026. It gives card counts, not a share of the population, and says over 90 million holders registered the card for use as a health insurance certificate. Figures update regularly, so check the agency site for the latest.

Can tourists get a My Number Card?

No, the system is for residents. Short-stay visitors do not receive a My Number or card. Visitors can, however, use Visit Japan Web, a Digital Agency service for registering immigration and customs information before arrival, which produces a QR code for smoother processing at the airport.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Cashless Japan: How Fast Is Digital Payment Growing?, Foreign Residents in Japan: A Growing Community and Japan's Aging Society in 2026: What the Numbers Mean.