Security News > 2022 > October > Japan to citizens: Get a digital ID or health insurance gets harder

Beginning in Autumn 2024, existing photo-less national health insurance cards will no longer be accepted, officially replaced by My Number Cards.

There's only one problem: Japan residents seem reluctant to adopt them, with an online petition to keep current health cards quickly gathering 100,000 signatures.

On Wednesday, Kono appeared in a YouTube video [VIDEO] posted to the agency's website in which he campaigns for the integration of My Number Cards.

"In the future, a policy aiming to abolish health insurance cards has been indicated," added Terada.

On October 14, Terada revealed at a press conference that the total number of My Number Card applicants had reached 70.79 million, and the number of issued cards was 62.53 million - leaving a backlog of over eight million.

Local media have reported that long lines and wait times await those wishing to collect their cards.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/10/27/japan_digital_id_push/