My Number Card
| My Number Card | |
|---|---|
Front and Back of a contemporary My Number Card | |
| Type | identity document |
| Issued by | municipalities of Japan |
| First issued | January 2016 |
| Purpose |
|
| Valid in | Japan |
| Eligibility | Japanese citizens or legal residents with a jūminhyō |
| Expiration | 10 years from date of issue for residents aged over 20 years old at time of issue, 5 years for digital certificates and minors under 20 years old |
| Cost | Free |
| Size | www |
The My Number Card (Japanese: マイナンバーカード, Hepburn: mai nanbā kādo), officially called the Individual Number Card in English, is an identity document issued to citizens of Japan and foreign residents which contains a unique 12-digit Individual Number (Japanese: 個人番号, Hepburn: kojin bangō) that serves as a national identification number in Japan. Unlike similar-looking identity cards in Europe, the My Number Card can be issued to both Japanese citizens and foreign residents, and is not proof of nationality. The My Number Card is used in Japan to streamline administrative purposes like filing taxes and social security, and it is also utilized to provide disaster response to those in need. It is the de facto Japanese equivalent to a U.S. Social Security Number.
The My Number Card stores information such as personal name, photo, address, birthday, and sex. Residents who wish to obtain the card can request an application form from the municipality (via a ward office or city hall) where they reside.