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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): My Number Card Utilization for Local Governments

Last Updated:

It contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) for local governments.

Table of Contents

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

FAQ

1. My Number Card

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

A1-1

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

Q1-2 How can I use My Number Card?

A1-2

There are roughly 3 ways to use it.

  • Use of card face
  • Use of electronic certificate (electronic certificate for signing and electronic certificate for user identification)
  • Use of empty space of IC chip
Use of card face

The front side can be used as a identity verification document at financial institutions that require a identity verification, such as teller windows. The back side can be used when you are asked to show your Individual Number. After the My Number System system is introduced, you will need to show your Individual Number in many situations, such as getting a job, changing jobs, giving birth to a child, getting sick, receiving pensions, and disasters. In such cases, if you have a My Number Card, you can confirm your Individual Number and make a identity verification with just one ticket.

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, the "signature electronic certificate" and the "user certification electronic certificate." For details on electronic certificate, please refer to Q2-1 What is electronic certificate? Please check from .

Use of empty space of IC chip

My Number Card's IC chips have free space in which local municipalities can provide their own services as determined by ordinance, and national institutions can provide their own services as determined by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications.

For details, please refer to the materials listed below.

Q1-3 Is it possible to verify age by using a My Number Card?

A1-3

It is possible to verify your age using the function of My Number Card.
There are three main ways in which age verification can be done.

  • Method 1: By using the JPKI-AP in My Number Card's IC Chip
  • Method 2: By using the My Number Card's AP-IC chip that can be used to input the ticket information
  • Method 3: Read the information on the face of the card with an OCR

Please refer to the table below for details.

Method 1Method 2Method 3
My Number Card functionJPKI-AP (Signature electronic certificate)App for assisting input of card informationCard Information (Read with OCR)
Available ToPlatform (PF) Operator / Service Provider (SP) OperatorAnyone can do it.
PIN entry required / not requiredRequired (6 to 16 alphanumeric characters)Required (14-digit number *)Not required
OutlineAge verification is based on the date of birth, which is one of the four types of information obtained after receiving a digital signature or electronic certificate from users. Information on the date of birth (or 4 information) is read at the app for assisting input of card information, and age confirmation is implemented from that information. With this method, it is possible to obtain only date of birth information. The date of birth printed on My Number Card tickets is read at OCR function and age confirmation is carried out.

* In the case of "Method 2: How to use the AP, which is a My Number Card IC chip, to help you enter your ticket," Reference Number B (14-digit number: 6-digit date of birth + 4-digit Western calendar part of the expiration date + 4-digit security code) is required at the time of data acquisition.

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

A1-4

Please check the following page.

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

A1-5

If you are over 18 years old, it is until the 10th birthday from the issuance date. If you are under 18 years old, it is until the 5th birthday from the issuance date.

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

A1-6

As of May 27, 2024, Japanese nationals are allowed to continue using My Number Card even after their expulsion from Japan. Japanese nationals living outside of Japan who do not currently have My Number Card (limited to those who moved out of Japan after October 5, 2015) can also apply for My Number Card.

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

A1-7

To use the My Number Card electronic certificate, a personal identification number (PIN) is required. If you enter the PIN incorrectly a certain number of times, the IC card will be locked. In addition, we have taken a high level of security measures, such as adopting a mechanism that breaks the IC chip if you try to forcibly remove information from it. Thus, personal information will not be leaked due to loss or theft of the card. Furthermore, if you lose your card, you can temporarily suspend the use of the My Number System by contacting the My Number General Toll-Free Number (0120-95-0178) (Reference: function for Inquiries about the My Number Card), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Q1-8 From when will "Furigana" be displayed on My Number Card tickets?

A1-8

With the promulgation of the the Act to Partially Amend the My Number Act in June 2023, which requires the use of "Furigana" (Japanese syllabary characters) for the name to be entered in the family register, "Furigana" (Japanese syllabary characters) for the name will be recorded and entered in My Number Card. Necessary preparations are underway for its enforcement in order to realize the use of "Furigana" (Japanese syllabary characters) for the name in My Number Card within three years of the promulgation.

Q1-9 Other than My Number Card, what is stored in electronic certificate's IC chips, and how are they used?

A1-9

"Ticket-side AP," "electronic certificate," and "Juki AP" are stored in addition to app for assisting input of card information in the AP configuration of IC chips. They can be used for automatic input of names, addresses, etc. online.

For details, please refer to the materials listed below.

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

A1-10

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

2. Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI)

Q2-1 What is electronic certificate? Please check from

A2-1

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

  • Signature electronic certificate
    Four pieces of information (name, address, date of birth, and gender) are recorded on the card. When various procedures are to be carried out, the four pieces of information can be automatically read and written on the card without having to enter the information one by one. (Electronic signatures can be used for final tax returns for e-Tax and for child-raising and other online application in Mynaportal.)
  • Identification electronic certificate
    It can be used as a means to prove your identity. (You can log in to Mynaportal, where your information can be viewed. You can also use it as a certification delivery service at convenience stores, or as a health insurance card.)

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

A2-2

Regardless of age, it is supposed to be from the issue date to the 5th birthday.

Q2-3 In what cases is it necessary to renew a electronic certificate?

A2-3

After the expiration date, you will not be able to use the function as a electronic certificate. Therefore, if you continue to use the electronic certificate, you will need to renew it before the expiration date. In addition, since the basic four information (name, address, gender, and date of birth) is retained for the signature electronic certificate, if your name or address changes due to marriage, relocation, etc., you will not be able to use the function as a signature stamp. Therefore, if you continue to use the stamp, you will need to renew it when submitting a notification of marriage or a notification of moving in to the municipality.

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 procedure is necessary to use the Japanese Public Key Infrastructure?

A2-5

Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (3. Service introduction method) Please check 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 cases, please check from Platform Operator List and Case Study List .

Q2-6 What is the registered basic four information (name, address, gender, and date of birth) based on in the electronic certificate for signature?

A2-6

It is based on the resident record managed by the municipality.

Q2-7 When the electronic certificate is updated and the electronic certificate is changed, how do you determine the sameness before and after the update?

A2-7

Since January 2017, when a user logs in from a electronic certificate unknown to the municipality, the municipality makes an inquiry to the J-LIS (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems) about the electronic certificate of the previous electronic certificate. The J-LIS responds to this inquiry, and the municipality can grasp the identity of the user.

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

A2-8

Death is included in "affiliationChanged" of the reasons for revocation. In addition, since the overseas continuous use of My Number Card has started from May 27, 2024, many of the reasons for revocation are death because there is no expiration of electronic certificate due to overseas transfer.

Q2-9 Please tell us an outline of the method of verifying users without performing electronic user verification that requires the entry of a PIN number, which was established by the revision of the Public Personal Authentication Act (promulgated on June 9, 2023).

A2-9

With the amendment of the Public Personal Authentication Act, provisions have been established for "Kazashi Use," which does not require the entry of a personal identification number (PIN), for identity verification by My Number Card. For details, please see the following page.

3. Mynaportal

Q3-1 What is a Mynaportal?

A3-1

What is Mynaportal? Please check from (Mynaportal) .

Q3-2 I would like to use Mynaportal APIs, but what should I do?

A3-2

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

4. Other

Q4-1 What is a digital certificate service?

A4-1

Digital Certification Service (Digital Agency Web Services Application) Please check from .

Q4-2 What is the MyKey platform?

A4-2

Please check from My Key Platform .