Japanese 'My Number Card' Digital IDs Coming to Apple's Wallet App

Apple today announced that support for national My Number Card IDs in Japan will be coming to Apple's Wallet app "late next spring," marking the first expansion of digital IDs in Apple Wallet beyond the United States [Google translation].

apple wallet japan
Over 100 million Japanese residents currently have My Number Card IDs, which enable them to receive services at over 60,000 convenience stores around the country, through online portals, and in other settings such as hospitals and government agencies.

"The deployment of Apple Wallet's ID feature outside the United States is an important step in our vision of replacing traditional physical wallets with easy, secure, and private mobile wallets. We will make the My Number Card available in Apple Wallet from the second half of next spring, and we will present your ID while making full use of the security and privacy protection features built into the iPhone. We are very pleased to provide a convenient and convenient way for everyone living in Japan," said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

Once loaded into Apple Wallet, a user's My Number Card can be accessed within the app by authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID, and the ID can then be presented either face-to-face or to a card reader, enabling access to medical services, governmental services, and more.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed My Number Card integration during one of Cook's trips to Japan back in late 2022. At the time, Cook said Apple had some concerns over user privacy and security around the IDs, but it appears those concerns have been satisfied to a sufficient enough degree that Apple is now on board with supporting the IDs in its centralized Wallet app.

Tag: Japan

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Top Rated Comments

junior Avatar
7 months ago

Woah where are the people who complained about privacy and government using a standard id to track its citizens.

Oh it’s Japan, we are good
I live in Japan and hate My Number system. Big brother is here to stay in Japan.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iGeneo Avatar
7 months ago
Congrats to them.. We need more US states on board. California of all places should have been there long ago, instead we have another app that doesn't really work all that well and no Wallet support
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jim Lahey Avatar
7 months ago
"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid you can't buy that."
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
entropys Avatar
7 months ago
I can understand some of the concerns of a digital id, even though its convenience is right up there. Like all things, they can be used for good or ill. The risk of digital ids, particularly if linked to $ in a cashless society (heck I just carry my phone with me these days and leave the wallet at home), is that it means eventually governments have the ability to unperson you.

you might want to poo poo that risk, but it is real. Imagine what countries behind the iron curtain would have been like if they had that power. Heck look at China and its nascent social credit system. Don’t think it can never happen here.

PS, on the upside, a digital Id would be useful when turning up to vote. (Ducks).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kenny7 Avatar
7 months ago
National Digital ID card makes so much sense. Hope US implements it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
quietstormSD Avatar
7 months ago

That’s awesome!

I have the US passport card that I carry with my titanium Apple Card in my Apple MagSafe wallet (that attaches to the back of my iPhone) every day to use as my ID in case somebody asks for ID but it would be great if Apple eventually allowed the ability to add the US passport card to the Apple Wallet app
I think that is the one card they could possibly do. It's not just Apple adopting it though. The whole system that checks for your ID for whatever reason would need to accept it as well. I mean we finally pretty much got it with tap to pay now, except for Home Depot and Walmart. So I wouldn't say it could never happen.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)