# Individual Number
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{{Short description|Japanese national identification number}}
{{about|national identification number|smart card for ID|My Number Card}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
thumb|Example of Kojinbango card
An {{nihongo|'''Individual Number'''|個人番号|kojin bangō}}, also known as {{nihongo|'''My Number'''|マイナンバー|mai nambā}}, is a twelve-digit ID number automatically issued to all citizens and foreign residents of [Japan](/source/Japan). It is used for [taxation](/source/taxation_in_Japan), [social security](/source/Welfare_in_Japan) and [disaster response](/source/disaster_response) purposes. The numbers were first issued in late 2015.[Osaki, Tomohiro [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/09/20/national/ready-not-government-will-soon-number/ Ready or not, government will soon have your My Number] September 20, 2015 ''[The Japan Times](/source/The_Japan_Times)'' Retrieved October 6, 2015][[http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/bangoseido/english-faq.html The Social Security and Tax Number system] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714095526/http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/bangoseido/english-faq.html |date=July 14, 2016 }} ''[Cabinet Secretariat](/source/Cabinet_Secretariat_(Japan))'' Retrieved October 6, 2015][[https://www.abc-jpn.net/news/japan-introducing-my-number-system-some-information/ Japan introducing “My Number” system, some information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130113256/https://www.abc-jpn.net/news/japan-introducing-my-number-system-some-information/ |date=January 30, 2017 }} ''Austrian Business Council'' Retrieved October 6, 2015]
The Individual Number is the [de-facto](/source/De_facto) Japanese equivalent to a U.S [Social Security Number](/source/Social_Security_number) (SSN),[{{Cite journal |last=Shigenori |first=Matsui |date=2019 |title=Is "My Number" Really My Number?: National Identification Numbers and the Right to Privacy in Japan |url=https://jilc.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/471-My-Number-Japan.pdf |journal=Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=99-138}}] and is required when applying for a Japanese bank account.[{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Digital |title=FAQ: About the Account Numbering System｜Digital Agency |url=https://www.digital.go.jp/en/policies/mynumber_faq_09 |access-date=February 16, 2025 |website=Digital Agency |language=en}}][{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2016 |title=「秘密の副業」「隠し口座」「遺産」が全部バレるって本当!? - 「マイナンバー制度」について担当省庁に聞いた |trans-title=Is It True That "Secret Side Jobs", "Hidden Accounts", and "Inheritances" All Show!? - What We Hear from the Ministry Office About the "My Number System" |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20160105-mynumber/ |access-date=February 16, 2025 |website=マイナビニュース |language=ja}}] Like the SSN, the number is sensitive and should be kept safe. Once issued the bearer's Individual Number remains the same indefinitely, unless required to be changed by decree.[{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Digital |title=FAQs: About My Number｜Digital Agency |url=https://www.digital.go.jp/en/policies/mynumber_faq_02 |access-date=April 15, 2025 |website=www.digital.go.jp |language=en}}]
Individuals may write this number down and keep it in a safe location, or apply for the free [My Number Card](/source/My_Number_Card), which contains the number.
==See also==
* [My Number Card](/source/My_Number_Card)
* [Corporate Number (Japan)](/source/Corporate_Number_(Japan))
* [Social Security number](/source/Social_Security_number)
* [National identification number](/source/National_identification_number)
==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book |last =水町 |first =雅子 |date =November 15, 2017 |title =逐条解説マイナンバー法 |edition =1st. |publisher =Shojihomu Co., Ltd. |location =Kayaba-cho, Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan |isbn =978-4-7857-2567-9 }}
==External links==
* [http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/bangoseido/english.html The Social Security and Tax Number System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814184400/http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/bangoseido/english.html |date=August 14, 2016 }} (Official introduction by the government)
{{National identification numbers}}
Category:2015 establishments in Japan
Category:Government of Japan
Category:National identification numbers
{{Japan-gov-stub}}
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Individual Number](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Number) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Number?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.