Japan to issue residents with a new ID number

All residents of Japan (Japanese and non-Japanese) will receive a new identification number in the post in October this year.

This My Number or Individual Number/個人番号 (official name), is designed to allow various authorities to share information more easily.

The number will be used by public bodies and employers in reference to tax, national pension, unemployment, social insurance, and medical insurance.

National authorities will begin using the number in January 2017 and local authorities in July 2017. Residents wishing to have a card showing their number can apply from January 2016, but there is no obligation to carry a card.

Please note individual numbers will be different to residence card numbers.

More information HERE