Individual Number

{{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. It is used for taxation, social security and disaster response purposes. The numbers were first issued in late 2015.<ref name="japantimes">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'' Retrieved October 6, 2015</ref><ref>[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'' Retrieved October 6, 2015</ref><ref>[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</ref>

The Individual Number is the de-facto Japanese equivalent to a U.S Social Security Number (SSN),<ref>{{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}}</ref> and is required when applying for a Japanese bank account.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Individuals may write this number down and keep it in a safe location, or apply for the free My Number Card, which contains the 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)

Category:2015 establishments in Japan Category:Government of Japan Category:National identification numbers