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FAQ: My Number Card Utilization for Local Governments

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for local governments.

Table of Contents

  1. My Number Card
  2. Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI)
  3. Mynaportal
  4. Other:

FAQ

1. My Number Card

Q1-1 What is the number of certificates issued in My Number Card and the ratio of the number of certificates issued to the population?

A1-1

Regarding the status of My Number Card issuance (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) Please check from .

Q1-2 How can I use the My Number Card?

A1-2

There are roughly 3 ways to use it.

  • Use of the card face
  • Use of electronic certificate (electronic certificate for signing and electronic certificate for user identification)
  • Use of free space in IC chips
Use of the card face

The front side can be used as a identity verification document at financial institutions that require identity verification, such as counters. The back side can be used when you are asked to present your Individual Number. After the introduction of My Number System, you will need to present your Individual Number in many situations, such as finding a job, changing jobs, giving birth and raising children, illness, receiving pensions, disasters, etc. In this case, you can confirm your Individual Number and make a identity verification with just one sheet of My Number Card.

Use of electronic certificate (electronic certificate for signing and electronic certificate for user identification)

My Number Card's IC chips are equipped with two electronic certificate used for Japanese Public Key Infrastructure, "signing electronic certificate" and "user identification electronic certificate". For details of electronic certificate, please check from Q2-1 What is electronic certificate? .

Use of free space in IC chips

There is an empty area in the IC chips of My Number Card. This area is designated by ordinance in the case of municipalities, prefectures, etc., and by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications in the case of national institutions, etc., so each institution can provide its own services.

For details, please refer to the documents listed below.

Q1-3 Is it possible to verify my age using the My Number Card?

A1-3

It is possible to verify your age using My Number Card's function.
There are three main ways of doing age verification.

  • Method 1: Using JPKI-AP in My Number Card IC chips
  • Method 2: A method of using a face input auxiliary AP in an IC chip of a My Number Card
  • Method 3: Reading the information on the face of the card using OCR

Please refer to the table below for details.

Method 1Method 2Method 3
Functions of the My Number CardJPKI-AP (electronic certificate for signature)Function to support entering information on the face of My Number CardInformation on the Certificate (Read by OCR)
Available ToPlatform (PF) Operator / Service Provider (SP) OperatorAnyone can do it
PIN required / not requiredRequired (6 to 16 alphanumeric characters)Required (14-digit number *)Not required
OverviewAfter receiving electronic signatures and electronic certificate from users, age verification is conducted based on the date of birth of one of the four types of information obtained. Date of birth information (or four types of information) is read at the function to support entering information on the face of My Number Card, and age verification is performed from that information. With this method, only date of birth information can be obtained. Age verification is performed by reading the date of birth printed on the My Number Card ticket with the OCR function.

* In the case of "Method 2: Using the Face Input Assistant AP in My Number Card's IC Chip", Collation Number B (14-digit number: 6 digits of birth date + 4 digits of expiration date part + 4 digits of security code) is required at the time of data acquisition.

Q1-4 Could you introduce some examples of the use of My Number Card?

A1-4

Please check the following pages.

Q1-5 Is there a validity period for My Number Card?

A1-5

If you are 18 years old or older, it is until the 10th birthday after issuance, and if you are under 18 years old, it is until the 5th birthday after issuance.

Q1-6 Can I continue to use the My Number Card even if I move out of the country?

A1-6

Since May 27, 2024, Japanese citizens have been able to continue to use My Number Card even after they have left Japan. In addition, Japanese citizens living outside of Japan who do not currently have a My Number Card (limited to those who have moved out of Japan since October 5, 2015) can also apply for a My Number Card.

Q1-7 Are there any means or mechanisms to prevent "spoofing" or "use by a third party"?

A1-7

When using My Number Card's electronic certificate, a security code is required, and the card will be locked if it is used incorrectly for a certain number of times. In addition, high security measures have been taken, such as a mechanism that breaks the IC chips when attempting to forcibly remove information from them. As a result, personal data will not be leaked due to loss or theft of the card. If you lose your card, you can temporarily suspend the use of 's functions by contacting the My Number comprehensive toll-free number (0120-95-0178), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (Reference: for inquiries about My Number Card My Number System).

Q1-8 When will "furigana" be printed on the face of the My Number Card?

A1-8

With the promulgation in June 2023 of the the Act to Partially Amend the My Number Act system, under which furigana (Japanese syllabary characters) for a person's name are recorded in the family register, "furigana for a person's name" will be recorded and entered in the My Number Card system. The necessary preparations are underway to implement the system so that names will be written in furigana in the My Number Card system within three years after the promulgation.

Q1-9 What is stored in My Number Card's IC chips other than electronic certificate and how is it used?

A1-9

Apart from "electronic certificate" in the AP configuration of the IC chip, "Ticket Side AP", "function to support entering information on the face of My Number Card", and "Basic Resident Register AP" are stored for online automatic input of name, address, etc.

For details, please refer to the documents listed below.

Q1-10 Please tell me the information necessary for using My Number Card.

A1-10

Technical information on the introduction of My Number Card utilization information service for local governments Please check it from .

2. Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI)

Q2-1 What is electronic certificate?

A2-1

My Number Card IC chips are equipped with two electronic certificate used for electronic certificate, a "signing Japanese Public Key Infrastructure" and a "user identification electronic certificate."

  • Electronic certificate for signature
    Four pieces of information, your name, address, date of birth, and gender, are written on the card. When you go through various procedures, these four pieces of information can be automatically read and written on the card without having to input them each time. (You can electronically sign on the card when filing an e-Tax return or at a Mynaportal online application for child-raising, etc.)
  • Electronic certificate for user identification
    It can be used as a means to prove your identity. (You can log in to Mynaportal where you can view your information, use the certification service at convenience stores, use it as a health insurance card, etc.)

Q2-2 Is there a validity period for electronic certificate?

A2-2

Regardless of age, it is supposed to be until the fifth birthday after the issuance.

Q2-3 Under what circumstances is it necessary to renew a electronic certificate?

A2-3

After the expiration date, you will no longer be able to use the functions of the electronic certificate. Therefore, if you wish to continue to use the electronic certificate, you will need to update it before the expiration date. In addition, since the electronic certificate for signatures retains the four basic types of information (name, address, gender, and date of birth), if your name or address changes due to marriage, change of address, etc., you will no longer be able to use the function as the Passport for signatures. Therefore, if you wish to continue to use the Passport for signatures, you will need to update it when you submit a notification of marriage or notification of moving in to the local government.

Q2-4 Under what circumstances does a electronic certificate expire?

A2-4

Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (5.1.1. Expiration Conditions for electronic certificate) Please check from .

Q2-5 What kind of procedures are required to use Japanese Public Key Infrastructure?

A2-5

Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (3. Method of Service Introduction) Please check it from . Utilizing the services provided by platform operators is one of the ways to use them quickly, so we recommend that you consider it. For details on platform operators and introduction examples, please check it from the Platform Operator List and Example List .

Q2-6 What are the four basic pieces of information (name, address, gender, and date of birth) registered within the electronic certificate for signatures based on?

A2-6

It is based on the resident record managed by the local government.

Q2-7 When the electronic certificate is updated and the electronic certificate changes, how does the user authorization determine the identity before and after the update?

A2-7

Since January 2017, a service has been provided that enables local governments to identify users (with the consent of the users). Under this service, when a user logs in using an unknown electronic certificate, the local government makes an inquiry to J-LIS (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems) about the previous electronic certificate, and J-LIS responds to the inquiry. Thus, local governments can identify the users (with the consent of the users) using the new electronic certificate.

Q2-8 Where is "death" included among the reasons for electronic certificate revocation in Japanese Public Key Infrastructure?

A2-8

"Death is included in" "affiliationChanged" "as the reason for revocation. Most of the reasons for revocation are" "death" "because the overseas use of My Number Card started on May 27, 2024, and electronic certificate is no longer revoked due to moving overseas."

Q2-9 Please provide an overview of the method of user confirmation without electronic user certification involving the entry of a security code, which was established through the revision of the Public Personal Authentication Act (promulgated on June 9, 2023).

A2-9

Due to the revision of the Public Personal Authentication Act, provisions have been developed for "Kazashi Use," which does not require the entry of a personal identification number (PIN), for personal identification by My Number Card. Please check the following page for details.

3. Mynaportal

Q3-1 What is Mynaportal?

A3-1

What is Mynaportal? (Mynaportal) Please check from .

Q3-2 I would like to use Mynaportal API. What should I do?

A3-2

What are "Mynaportal APIs"? (Mynaportal) Please check from .

4. Other

Q4-1 What is a digital Authentication App?

A4-1

Digital Authentication App (Digital Agency Web Service Application) Please check from .

Q4-2 What is the mykey platform?

A4-2

Please check from MyKey Platform .