Our chat bot now supports multiple languages
You can now check the status of your Individual Number Card application
We will start sending out Individual Number Card application form with QR code!
About the new covid-19 vaccination certificate (app)
Your Individual Number Card can be used as your health insurance card!
Individual Number Card fees and the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
About Posting of Videos of Speeches at Online Events
We have opened a call center for inquiries in Thai, Nepali, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Tagalog
Renewal of Individual Number Card and Electronic Certificate
About the scheduled maintenance of the online Individual Number Card application service
Topics
We are pleased to announce our chat bot now offers multilingual support. Originally only offering Japanese, the following languages are now available:
Supported Languages (Machine Translation)
- Japanese/日本語
- English
- Chinese（Simplified）/简化中文
- Chinese（Traditional）/繁體中文
- Korean/한국어
- Spanish/Español
- Portuguese/Português
Click the Myna-chan icon on the lower left of the page to use the chat bot. If you wish to switch languages, please click the in the upper right corner and select your preferred language.
The following information was incorrectly listed in the notification of validation period sent to those whose Individual Number Card or electronic certificates were to expire in April 2023.
Affected Residents
Residents whose Individual Number Card or electronic certificate expire between April 1 and April 21, 2023
Information on the notification of validation period notice contained the following errors.
Incorrect：”The information contained in this notice is current as of April 3, 2023.”
Correction：”The information contained in this notice is current as of December 1, 2022.”
We apologize for any trouble caused. Please note that this will not affect the renewal process.
We have launched an application status inquiry service that allows you to check the status of your Individual Number Card application using your Application ID and date of birth.
Click here for the Application Status Inquiry Service
(A dedicated URL is provided in the application confirmation email for online applications.)
Things you need
- The 23-digit Application ID used to make the application
- Applicant’s date of birth
*Image Authentication entry is also required.
Note
- It takes sometime before you can use the Application Status Inquiry Service. For more information, please see Check the Status of Your Application.
- Application status can only be checked if the application was submitted within the past 6 months.
- You can check the status of your application from the time it is received to the time your card is sent out. After the card is sent to your municipality, it may take several weeks until you receive your issuance notice, as there are necessary procedures that must be completed prior to issuance. Therefore, after confirming the shipment of your card through this service, please refrain from contacting the municipality or visiting the municipality to pick up your card before you receive your issuance notice.
- If you applied using the application form sent by our organization, please check the status using the Application ID written on the address mount. （Please refer to the example of the address mount for the location.)
- If you do not know your Application ID, please contact your local municipal office to check the status of your application. (Application numbers received when applying at cell phone stores cannot be used to check the status of your application.)
- If one month has passed from the “Application Confirmation Completion Date” and the application status still does not proceed from “My Number Card Issuance in Process”, please check with your municipality for the card issuance status, as the Application ID may have been changed.
This announcement is sent by Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems (J-LIS) in accordance with the My Number Act.
The Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems (J-LIS) operates in cooperation with local governments.
You can easily apply online by scanning the QR code at the bottom right of the Individual Number Card application form with your smartphone or other device.
Click here for a sample Individual Number Card application form
For more information on how to apply via smart phone, please click here.
For other application methods, please click here.
○ When submitting your application, please make sure you have an ID photograph that meets the requirements, as we often see photographs with errors.
＜Check here for details on points to note when taking ID photographs＞
○ If you have recently applied for or obtained your Individual Number Card, you may receive this notice by mistake. However, you do not need to apply for your Individual Number Card again.
○ Please note that residents who fall under the following categories have already been sent an application form (or will be sent one separately), so they will not be included in this batch.
- ①Those who are 75 years of age or older and have received an Individual Number Card application form from the Association of Medical Care System for Older Senior Citizens in the prefecture of residence in the fiscal year of 2020 or 2021
- ②Those born or those who moved to Japan from overseas after January 1, 2022 (An Individual Number Card application form was included with the Individual Number Notice sent at the time of birth or at the time of your move to Japan.)
- ③Foreign residents with a specified period of stay, etc (You should have received an explanation on applying for an Individual Number Card at your Regional Immigration Bureau.)
○ If you have not received the Individual Number Card application form with a QR code for online application, but are in a hurry, you may apply using the application form included with the Notification Card or Individual Number Notice that was sent to you.
If you have lost or misplaced the form, please download the (mail-in only) application form from the webpage for downloading Individual Number Card application form and apply, or apply using the Individual Number Card application form issued at your local municipal office (online and mail-in applications are available).
Since December 20th, 2021 (Reiwa 3), it is possible to issue a vaccination certificate (electronic version) with a QR code using a dedicated smartphone app.
When issuing the certificate electronically using the app, the 4-digit PIN (※1) you set when receiving your Individual Number Card is required.
If you accidentally lock your card by mistaking your PIN 3 times, you will need to unlock your account at the municipal office of the area in which you reside. If you are considering using a vaccination certificate, please confirm your PIN when applying.
Please refer to the relevant pages of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare website or contact the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s COVID-19 Call Center (0120-761-770) for details on the vaccination certificate system, etc., as other procedures may be additionally required at the municipal office.
Please check the Digital Agency’s website for more information about the app.
※1 This is the PIN code for “App to support entering items on the card”.
Reference QA: What is the PIN of the “App to support entering items on the card”?
Your Individual Number Card can be used as your health insurance card.
For more information on how to use this service and eligible medical institutions and pharmacies, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
The application to use your card as a health insurance card can be made through the MynaPortal. Check here for details.
Please make use of your Individual Number Card, as it will make your life even more convenient.
Individual Number Card fees and the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
Fees for reissuing Individual Number Card as a result of the earthquake
Applications for the reissue of Individual Number Card lost or damaged due to the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake can be made free of charge.
* Although a fee of 1,000 yen is typically charged for the issue of Individual Number Card, the fee is waived in cases where the Individual Number Card is reissued due to natural disasters or other circumstances beyond the cardholder’s control. In such cases, some form of documentation describing the natural disaster or other circumstances beyond the cardholder’s control may be required.
Fees for renewing expired Individual Number Card and electronic certificates
The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake may have made it difficult to apply for reissuance of an Individual Number Card within the card’s expiration date. However, even if the application for reissuance is filed after the expiration date of the card, the card can be reissued free of charge.
Similarly, new electronic certificates can be issued free of charge even after the expiration date has passed.
About Posting of Videos of Speeches at Online Events
The “Online Computerization of Local Authorities Promotional Fair 2021-22” ended at 5:00 pm, 28th of February (Monday).
Thank you very much for attending the online event.
Please check the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems Channel (J-LIS Channel) for the videos of speeches.
Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems Channel (J-LIS Channel)
We have opened a call center for inquiries in Thai, Nepali, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Tagalog
From April 1st, 2022, you can make inquiries about Individual Number Cards in Thai, Nepali, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
*Please note that the reception hours vary depending on the support language.
Please visit the inquiry by phone page for more information.
You can reset the PIN for the electronic certificate for user certification of your Individual Number Card at a convenience store
You can now initialize and reset the PIN for the electronic certificate for user certification of your Individual Number Card using the kiosk terminal at a convenience store.
For details on what you need and how to proceed, please click here.
For convenience stores and other locations where initialization and resetting are available, please click here.
Please note that initialization and resetting at convenience stores, etc. is only possible for the PIN for the electronic certificate for the bearer’s signature, which is 6 to 16 digits in uppercase alphanumeric characters. For 4-digit numeric PINs, please complete the procedure at your local municipal office.
Renewal of Individual Number Card and Electronic Certificate
○ Validation period for Individual Number Card (My Number Card) is 10 years (5 years for persons under 20 years of age) and 5 years for the electronic certificate stored in the card.
※The card shall be valid for 5 years for those under 20 years of age who applied for the card by March 31, 2022.
The notification will be sent to those whose expiration date is approaching about two to three month in advance.
Renewal procedure is described in the brochure enclosed with the notification of validation period.
Notification of Validation Period (notice of exipiry) Pamphlet
○ About renewal procedure.
No fee is required for the renewal of Individual Number Card and the electronic certificate.
【If your Application ID is written on the notification】
There is a QR code for application form for issuance on the right side of the Application ID.
Please use a smartphone application using the QR code.
【If your Application form ID is not written on the notification】
Please bring necessary documents (speficied on the notification) to your local municipal office.
If you want to know more detailed information
If you have received an electronic certificate reissue notice, beware of suspicious phone calls from third parties offering to complete the procedures on your behalf and asking for your Individual Number Card and PIN number.
Never provide your Individual Number Card or PIN number to an unknown third party.
Beware of unauthorized solicitation and requests for personal information taking advantage of the Individual Number system!
○ Regarding Individual Number Card electronic certificate reissuance procedures
If you have received an electronic certificate reissue notice, beware of suspicious phone calls from third parties offering to complete the procedures on your behalf and asking for your Individual Number Card and PIN number.
Never provide your Individual Number Card or PIN number to an unknown third party.
In case of emergency, please call the Individual Number Call Center toll-free number (0120-0178-27) and suspend your card. Please also contact your municipal office.
○ Examples of suspicious phone calls, e-mails, letters, and visits
■Regarding notification and procedures
【Attempts to obtain your Individual Number Card electronic certificate】
“Have you received your Individual Number Card reissuance letter?
If you have received it, you can fill out the proxy form enclosed with your notice of validity period with your PIN number and other information and send it to us along with your Individual Number Card, and we will complete the reissuance procedures on your behalf.” This was what one caller claimed.
Further details available here [external link (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)]
The handwritten Individual Number Card application form and return envelope components for the form are now available in 10 additional languages
We would like to announce that in addition to the Japanese and English versions that are currently available, the (handwritten) Individual Number Card application form and the return envelope for the form, which can be downloaded from the Downloads page, are now available in 10 additional languages (Korean, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional)), Spanish, Thai, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Nepali).
Precautions when applying an Individual Number Card
○ Online application recommended.
It takes about 3 ~ 4 weeks * from the application for issuance of the Individual Number Card to the delivery of Individual Number Card to the municipalities. However, by using the online application and the identification photo machine, the delivery period of Individual Number Card to the municipalities can be shortened even though the difference is a few days compared to the application by mail.
※ Excluding cases with errors in the application, etc.
Application for issuance of the Individual Number Card
○ Please be careful when you take an ID photograph.
The most common cause of reapplication (deficiency in application) when reviewing the application of Individual Number Card is the defect of ID photograph. In the case of online applications in particular, nearly 80% of reapplications (deficiency in application) are due to the defect of ID photograph.
■ Examples of deficiencies in ID photograph
- Photograph taken too close to the lens (Selfie, etc.).
A part of the face is cut. - Photograph taken inside with an object (a part of furniture, etc.) in the background.
When taking pictures, please use a plain wall, etc. as a background.
Even after Notification Cards are discontinued, you will still be able to use them to apply for an Individual Number Card
While we are no longer issuing new Notification Cards as proof of Individual Number as of May 25, 2020, you will still be able to apply for an Individual Number Card.
Following the discontinuation of Notification Cards, those who have the Individual Number Card application form provided with their Notification Card will be able to place an online application via smartphone or PC.
(You can still apply even if you have changed your name or address and the information on your Notification Card is out of date.)
For details, please check here.
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000687760.pdf
The method used to notify residents of their Individual Number (My Number) has changed to an Individual Number Notice.
On May 25, 2020, the method used to notify residents of their Individual Number (My Number) changed to an Individual Number Notice.
Please check here for information about Individual Number Notices.
Comparison Chart for Notification Card, Individual Number Notice, and Individual Number Card (Link)
Individual Number Notices shall be sent to residents newly issued an Individual Number in cases of birth or relocation from overseas.
Those who have already received a Notification Card shall not be sent an Individual Number Notice.
Please check here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
While we will no longer be issuing new Notification Cards, those who have received Notification Cards may continue to use them to confirm their Individual Number (My Number).
Please check here for information about Notification Cards.
Even after Notification Cards are discontinued, you will still be able to use them to apply for an Individual Number Card.
For details, please check here.
Regarding the discontinuation of Notification Cards (external link, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
please check here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Contact concerning issuance of some Individual Number Cards
We have discovered that, due to a specific set of conditions, a small number of Individual Number Cards reissued have a validity period one year longer than it should be. However, these cards may be used normally.
Holders of these cards will be contacted individually by our organization regarding reissue procedures. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The site for online Individual Number Card applications undergoes regular maintenance according to the following schedule. You cannot use the site from your smartphone or computer to apply for an Individual Number Card during maintenance times.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
〇Regular Maintenance Schedule
Third Saturday of every month from 12 am to 8 am (service will resume as soon as maintenance is completed).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About Application and Issuance of Individual Number Cards
Submit Application
Apply using the enclosed application card.
Receive Notice
Your Notice of Issuance (postcard) arrives by post.
Go to the Issuance Office
After confirming your identity, you will be asked to set a PIN.
- You can apply using the Individual Number Card application form provided with your Individual Number Notice or Notification Card, online, or using a local ID photo booth.*
*Some ID photo booths do not support applications.
Important Note
- To submit an application after relocation, please request a new application form from your local municipal office when submitting your address change documents, or download a form from here.
- After submitting your application, there is a 3-week processing period until your card is created.
After this, your card will be sent through the postal service to your local municipal office, which will handle any final issuance procedures and send you a notice of issuance by mail. Please wait until you receive this notice.
Important Note
- If you move to a different municipality before receiving your notice of issuance, you must reapply. Please complete procedures for reapplication when you are registering your address at your new municipal office.
*In the case of government designated ordinance cities, it is outside the area
- After receiving your notice of issuance, you yourself should visit the service counter by the date described on the issuance notification with required things.
*Only if you are not able to visit the place to receive your card due to your sickness, physical disability, or other unavoidable reasons, your representative can receive your card.
The Individual Number Card has a lot of advantages:
※Please contact your municipality for more details, as services are different depending on the municipality.
※If you would like to make an inquiry about Individual Number Cards, please call the Individual Number Call Center toll-free number (0120-0178-26).