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FAQ: My Number (Individual Number)

  • Q & A is updated as needed.
  • At the end of each answer, it is written as (answer in X, 20 xx). There is one before August 2021, but this was answered on the Digital Agency website before Cabinet Office was established.

Q2-1 When and how will I be notified of my My Number, and from when will I use it?

A2-1

The My Number was designated for the residents listed on the residence certificate as of the 5th, the first Monday of October 2015, and was mailed by simple registered mail from the municipality to the address listed on the residence certificate. The My Number will be designated for those with foreign nationality who have a residence certificate. After that, the My Number will be designated for those who have newly registered as a resident due to birth or moving in from abroad, and the municipality will notify them by mail. (Updated in November 2017)

Q2-2 Is it necessary for a newly born child to apply for a My Number?

A2-2

When you submit a birth notification and your residence certificate is registered, your My Number will be created, so you do not need to apply again. (Updated November 2017)

Q2-3 How is the My Number generated?

A2-3

A 12-digit My Number is created based on the Resident Register Code, but the number system is such that the Resident Register Code cannot be restored from the My Number. (Answer in September 2015)

Q2-4 Can I change my My Number as I wish?

A2-4

As a general rule, the same My Number is used throughout life, and it is not possible to change it freely. However, only if it is recognized that there is a risk that the My Number will be leaked and used illegally, it is possible to change it based on the application of the person or the authority of the mayor of municipality. (Answer in June 2014)

Q2-5 Will my My Number not change even if I transfer my resident record?

A2-5

Except in cases where there is a risk of My Number being leaked and misused, the My Number will not change because the same number will be used throughout life. (Answer in December 2015)

Q2-6 If I lost my notification card, is it possible to have it reissued? If so, where and what kind of procedure should I take?

A2-6

The notification card was abolished on May 25th, 2020, so it can't be reissued.

In order to confirm or certify your My Number, you must obtain a My Number Card, or a copy of your certificate of residence or certificate of items stated in resident register with your My Number on it.

If you have lost your Notification Card, please report the loss to your local government office.

*If you find your Notification Card, please report it to the nearest police station or police box. (Updated May 2020)

Q2-7 Is there an expiration date for the notification card?

A2-7

The notification card has no expiration date. The notification card is to notify your My Number, so please keep it safe.

When you receive your My Number Card (Individual Number Card), your Notification Card is no longer required. It will be returned to your local municipal government office when it is issued. (Answer in August 2015)

Q2-8 Even if I re-enter Japan after moving out of the country, can I continue to use the same My Number as before moving out of the country? Or will a new My Number be designated?

A2-8

You will need to use the same number as before you moved out. (Answer in June 2014)

Q2-9 I live abroad, will I be sent a notification of my individual number?

A2-9

If you are outside Japan and do not have a resident record in Japan, your My Number will not be notified, so you will not receive a notification of your Individual Number. If you move to Japan and a resident record is created, you will receive a notification of your Individual Number. (Updated May 2020)

Q2-10: If a person is working overseas (a non-resident who does not have a resident record) and has not been assigned an My Number, is it okay not to enter his / her My Number as a non-resident in the special enrollment of social insurance, etc.? In addition, if the person is working overseas and his / her family members remain in Japan, what should be done?

A2-10

As of October 5, 2015, My Number is not assigned to those who live outside of Japan and continue to work overseas until now. Therefore, if you need to take procedures that require your My Number during this period, please leave it blank when submitting it. For those who have not been assigned a My Number, there is no obligation to list it.

On the other hand, family members living in Japan are assigned My Numbers. If your employer requires you to provide your family's My Number, you are obliged to do so. (Updated November 2017)

Q2-11 Is it possible to request the presentation of a notification card as an identification document for identity verification in procedures other than those related to the My Number?

A2-11

If employees are required to present their notification cards in general identity verification procedures, they may unintentionally collect their My Numbers, for example, by making a copy of their My Numbers by mistake or by having their My Numbers captured by security cameras, and thereby violate restrictions on the collection of My Numbers. For this reason, it is not appropriate to use notification cards in general identity verification procedures. Please do not request the presentation of notification cards in procedures other than those related to My Numbers (response in February 2016).

Q2-12 Has the notification card been abolished?

A2-12

The notification card was abolished on May 25, 2020, and the notification of My Number will be made by sending the individual number notification.

For those who already have a notification card, the notification card will not be reissued or the information on the notification card will not be changed when there is a change in name, address, etc., but the notification card can still be used as a document to prove My Number only if the name, address, etc., on the notification card matches the information on the resident record. (Answer in May 2020)

Q2-13 Why has the notification card been abolished?

A2-13

The current revision was made in response to requests for a review of the procedure for changing the information on the notification card when moving, etc., which has become a burden on both residents and municipal officials, and from the perspective of promoting digitalization in society and encouraging a shift from paper cards to electronic certificate with Public Personal Authentication My Number Card at an early stage.

Since it is still possible to apply for My Number Card even after the abolition of the notification card, please visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications website for details. (Answer in May 2020)