The Office of the Promotion of the Social Security and Tax Number System,
Cabinet Secretariat /
The Office of the Social Security and Tax Number System,
Minister’s Secretariat, Cabinet Office

1.Purpose of Introducing the Social Security and Tax Number System

The Social Security and Tax Number System, which came into effect in October 2015, was introduced as a social infrastructure to improve administrative efficiency, promote the convenience of the people, and to bring about a fair and just society.  The Social Security and Tax Number (hereinafter referred to as the Individual Number) is a 12-digit number owned by each and every Japanese citizen, and is used in administrative procedures in the fields of social security, taxes, and disaster measures.

2.Notification of Individual Number

Since October 2015, the government used to send all citizens notification cards containing their Individual Numbers.  However, since May 25, 2020, the notification letter of Individual Numbers was sent to those who do not yet have these Individual Numbers, including the newborns.

You may still use the abolished notification card as a proof that you have an Individual Number, as long as your name, address and other details stated in the card match the items on the resident’s certificate.  In case they do not match, you may verify your Individual Number with your Individual Number Card and a copy of your resident’s certificate, etc.

3.When to Use Your Individual Number

The Individual Number is used in the administration of social security, taxes, and disaster measures.　 For example, it is necessary to present your Individual Number when applying for welfare benefits, such as disability welfare services in municipalities, subsidies for medical expenses for persons/children with disabilities, procedures for national health insurance and long-term care insurance, when filing final tax returns with the tax office, and for processing tax and social insurance at your working place.  To prevent fraud, your Individual Number is checked for correctness and if you are the rightful owner of the number.

When presenting a notification card, since it can only confirm your Individual Number, you would also need to show your identity verification documents, such as the certificate of physical disability.  Moreover, the notification letter concerning your Individual Number cannot be used as a document to confirm your Individual Number. 　If you have an Individual Number Card with a photo of your face, you can confirm your Individual Number and your identity with just one card.

If it is difficult for the applicant to write down his/her own Individual Number, the municipality’s staff-in-charge can write down his/her Individual Number for him/her.

4.Information Sharing

Since November 2017, a full-scale sharing of information has started between and among the different government agencies based on personal information linked to the Individual Number.  As a result, submission of a copy of the resident’s certificate, the taxation certificate, or the certificate of physical disability and the like are no longer required for many procedures; thus, the burden on the people is greatly reduced.  Currently, about 2,300 procedures no longer require the submission of attachments[1].

5.Individual Number Card

This card has a face photo with an IC chip on which the Individual Number is printed.  You may use it for procedures linked to the Individual Number, and you may also use it as an ID card.  An electronic certificate that electronically authenticates an individual’s identity is installed in the IC chip.

To obtain the card, you need to apply for it.  You may send us the application form integrated with the notification card with a photo of your face.  You may also apply using your smartphone or PC.  From November 2020 to March 2021, we sent a new application form for those who need it.  The initial card issuance fee is free.

The Individual Number Card can be used to confirm the number when providing the Individual Number to government agencies.  It can also be used as an ID card since it contains a photo of your face, name, date of birth, etc.  In addition, you can receive various services using the card’s IC chip.  For example, you can get various certificates such as a copy of your resident’s certificate and taxation certificate at a convenience store.  You can also file tax returns and carry out administrative procedures such as those related to child-rearing online from your home using your smartphone or computer.  Furthermore, you can use this card to have access to private services such as online mortgage contracts and securities account opening.  A full-scale use of this card as a health insurance card will begin by October 2021.  (A test using this card as a health insurance card began in March 2021.  During the testing period, the presentation of your health insurance card is required.)

We plan to install the card function on smartphones by the end of 2022.  It is scheduled to be integrated with the driver’s license from the end of 2024.

Individual Number Card [Front]

Individual Number Card [Back]

6.Mynaportal

Mynaportal is an online service operated by the government with which you can apply for and search for governmental services such as child-rearing-related services in a one-stop shop.  You can also check your own information on your income and disability certificate held by government agencies.  Furthermore, by October 2021, information on specific medical examinations conducted in 2020 will be available.  Information on the medicines prescribed in September 2021 onward can be checked from October 2021, and notification on medical expenses can be checked from November 2021, respectively.

To use the Mynaportal, in addition to the Individual Number Card, you need an IC card reader/writer and PC.  If you have a smartphone that can read Individual Number Cards, you may use it instead of an IC card reader/writer, or you may use the Mynaportal with your smartphone alone.

Furthermore, you can use the apps linked with Mynaportal.  Mirairo ID is a disability certificate application for smartphones.  It is produced by Mirairo, Inc.  It may be used instead of a disability certificate handbook, as Miraido ID can acquire the information held by the government agency on the disability certificate of the user himself/herself through the Mynaportal (identification by Individual Number Card and consent of the person required).  It can be used as a substitute for a disability certificate.

7.Serving As a Health Insurance Card

Since March 2021, your Individual Number Card has been serving as a health insurance card as well.  (The conventional health insurance certificate can still be used.)  By using your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card, you can share information such as your medicines with your doctor.  With your consent, you will be able to receive better medical care.  You can enjoy another kind of advantage about medical expenses.  Each insurer issues a document called “Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application” to prevent a patient from paying at the counter a bigger amount beyond the limit when the medical expenses become too big.  If you have the Individual Number Card, even without securing this certificate in advance, medical institutions can obtain the information on the maximum amount the patient has to pay, and you do not have to pay the amount exceeding the maximum limit at the counter.

To use this function, at the reception desk of a medical institution or pharmacy, place your Individual Number Card on the card reader to verify your identity by face recognition on the device, enter your PIN, or have a visual check by the staff, to confirm you are eligible to receive this service.  If it is difficult for you to operate the equipment yourself, you may ask the staff-in-charge for help.

You would know at which medical institutions and pharmacies the Individual Number Card is able to be used as a health insurance card because the “Myna Reception” sticker is posted.  You can also check the list of available medical institutions and pharmacies on the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Prior application is required to use the Individual Number Card as a health insurance card.  In addition to applying through the Mynaportal, you can also apply at Seven Bank ATMs and at medical institutions and pharmacies indicated with the “Myna Reception” sticker.

8.Information on the Individual Number

For more detailed information about the Individual Number System, Individual Number Card, Mynaportal, etc., please refer to the Cabinet Office Individual Number (Social Security and Tax Number System) website.  You may also dial this toll-free number 0120-95-0178.