Frequently Asked Questions: My Number Card Utilization for private sector

Last Updated:: Feb 9, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for private sector.

My Number Card
Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI)
Service to provide the latest user information (4 types of information)
Mynaportal
- Q4-1 What is Mynaportal?
- Q4-2 I would like to use the Mynaportal API. What should I do?
Other:
- Q5-1 What is a digital Authentication App?

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.

My Number Card Usage Information for private sector Basic information required for using My Number Card (updated as needed)
- [Appendix 1] To Promote the Spread and Utilization of My Number Card (Basic Information)
  - "My Number Card is a identity verification tool for the future"
  - "About My Number Card"

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

A1-3

It is possible to do age verification using the function that My Number Card has.
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 1	Method 2	Method 3
Use function of My Number Card	JPKI-AP (electronic certificate for signature)	App for assisting input of card information	Information on the Certificate (Read by OCR)
Available To	Platform (PF) Operator / Service Provider (SP) Operator	Anyone can do it
PIN required / not required	Required (6 to 16 alphanumeric characters)	Required (14-digit number *)	Not required
Overview	After 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 app for assisting input of card information, 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 using 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 the My Number Card electronic certificate, a PIN number 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 chip if you try to forcibly remove information from it. As a result, personal information will not be leaked due to loss or theft of the card. If you lose your card, you can temporarily suspend use of the My Number System 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 the My Number Card function).

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", "app for assisting input of card information", and "Basic Resident Register AP" are stored for online automatic input of name, address, etc.

For details, please refer to the documents listed below.

My Number Card Usage Information for private sector Basic information required for using My Number Card (updated as needed)
- [Appendix 1] To Promote the Spread and Utilization of My Number Card (Basic Information)
  - "Overview of My Number Card Apps"

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 private sector 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

If you wish to continue to use the electronic certificate after the expiration date, you will no longer be able to use it as a function. Therefore, you will need to renew the electronic certificate before the expiration date. In addition, since you hold your basic four information (name, address, gender, and date of birth), if your name or address changes due to marriage or change of address, you will no longer be able to use the electronic certificate as your signature function. Therefore, if you wish to continue to use it, you will need to renew 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 .

Reference
- Guidelines for private sector for the Use of Japanese Public Key Infrastructure

Q2-6 What is the basic four 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 Can private sector obtain a user's My Number based on Japanese Public Key Infrastructure?

A2-9

My Number cannot be used outside of the administrative procedures stipulated by laws and regulations or ordinance, such as social security system, tax system, and disaster response. In addition, private sector cannot request employees, customers, etc. to provide their My Number, nor can it provide, collect, or store Specific Personal Information unless it is necessary for these procedures.

For details of the auxiliary AP for entering information on the face of the card, please refer to What is the My Number Card (5. Information provided on the My Number Card) from .

Q2-10 When private sector uses Japanese Public Key Infrastructure, is it necessary to obtain the competent minister's approval?

A2-10

Even if you do not obtain the competent minister's approval, you can use it by entrusting the task of checking signatures, etc., to platform operators. For details, please check from Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (3.1. Service Introduction Method) .

Q2-11 When using Japanese Public Key Infrastructure as a signature verifier, what kind of expenses must be borne by private sector?

A2-11

The main expenses are as follows.

Cost for construction and operation of the private sector side system associated with the use of Japanese Public Key Infrastructure
Japanese Public Key Infrastructure Usage Fee (= Expiration Information Provision Fee) *
- In the case of electronic certificate for signature, 20 yen per revocation information provided
- In the case of a electronic certificate for user identification, 2 yen per revocation information item

* For the first three years from January 2023, the service will be free of charge. For details, please check with , where the fee for providing information on electronic certificate expiration in Japanese Public Key Infrastructure, .

Q2-12 Is identity verification established as satisfying the requirements of Japanese Public Key Infrastructure in the Act on Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Phones?

A2-12

The electronic certificate for signing as prescribed in Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Public Personal Authentication Act is set forth in the electronic certificate in Article 1, Paragraph 5 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act for Prevention of Misuse of Prepaid Payment Instruments. As a method of the identity verification in Article 3 of the same Ordinance, it is set forth in Paragraph 1 (h) "When concluding a service provision contract by receiving the transmission of information with an electronic signature, the method of receiving the electronic certificate pertaining to the electronic signature from the natural person."

3. Service providing the latest user information (4 types of information)

Q3-1 What is the latest user information (4 information) provision service?

A3-1

Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (6.1. Latest Users' Information (4 Information) Providing Service) Please check .

Q3-2 Please tell me the procedures for using the latest User Information (4 Information) Provision Service.

A3-2

Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) (6.1. Latest Users' Information (4 Information) Providing Service) Please check 's "Procedures for using this service".

Q3-3 What is the address information provided in the latest user information (4 information) provision service based on?

A3-3

It is the address information on the resident record, just like the information on My Number Card or electronic certificate.

Q3-4 Is there a validity period for the consent?

A3-4

The validity period of the consent is "10 years from the day following the day of consent." In addition, the signature verifier must urge the user to renew the consent before the 10-year validity period expires.

4. Mynaportal

Q4-1 What is Mynaportal?

A4-1

What is Mynaportal? (Mynaportal) Please check from .

Q4-2 I would like to use the Mynaportal API. What should I do?

A4-2

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

5. Other

Q5-1 What is a digital Authentication App?

A5-1

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