My Number is issued by the Government of Japan to improve personal information lookups, shorten processing times, and raise the quality of other administrative services.

Before My Number was issued, checking personal information managed separately by each government agency took considerable time. After My Number was introduced, that information can be confirmed with far less effort. As a result, not only the administration but also residents who have been issued a My Number benefit from shorter administrative procedures and other advantages. This article explains what Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals—no exception—need to know about My Number when entering Japan or moving.

Who among foreign nationals receives a My Number, and when

My Number is not issued only to Japanese nationals; it is also issued to foreign nationals residing in Japan. Foreign nationals who receive a My Number are those residing in Japan with a residence card.

A residence card is generally issued at the airport upon first entry into Japan. Within 14 days thereafter, the person must file a move-in notification at the municipal office for their decided place of residence in Japan. At that time, the foreign national is registered in the Basic Resident Register, after which a document called an Individual Number Notice is delivered to the address.

The Individual Number Notice also shows the My Number that has been assigned. It typically arrives about two to three weeks after registration in the Basic Resident Register and is delivered by simplified registered mail to the registered address, so it can be received only when the person is at home—a point that requires attention.

What is a My Number Card

Unlike the Individual Number Notice already described, a My Number Card is a driver’s-license-sized card with a facial photograph.

The card has an IC chip and shows the holder’s name, address, date of birth, sex, My Number, and facial photograph.

An Individual Number Notice lets you confirm the My Number assigned to you, but to enjoy further benefits you need to obtain a My Number Card.

A My Number Card is useful for more convenient administrative procedures—for example, you can obtain a residence certificate from a convenience store copier. It can also be used in certain private online transactions and similar situations.

Like a driver’s license, it can also be used as identification.

In this way, My Number is effective once it has been assigned even without a My Number Card, but as described above, having a My Number Card brings benefits in many situations.

My Number knowledge foreign nationals should know

The following is knowledge about My Number that foreign nationals, including Specified Skilled Workers, should know.

My Number is important personal information—do not share it with others

My Number is assigned only once, and the same number is used for life. You may need to provide it when joining a company or when sending money overseas at a bank, but there are few other situations in which you need to disclose it.

It is necessary to instruct people not to casually share their My Number with others.

Where to inquire if you lose your My Number

If you lose your My Number Card, you must contact the police and the competent municipality immediately.

It is also possible to suspend the functions of the My Number Card, so instruct people to contact the authorities as soon as they notice a loss.

There is also a toll-free number for My Number inquiries, with support available in multiple languages including English and Chinese.

How to confirm your My Number

When you need your My Number but have lost the Individual Number Notice and cannot confirm it, you can confirm your My Number by obtaining a residence certificate.

When requesting the residence certificate, ask for one with My Number indicated, and you can obtain a residence certificate that shows your My Number.

Residence cards and My Number Cards

For foreign nationals in Japan, the validity period of a My Number Card runs until the period of stay in effect at the time the card is issued.

If the period of stay is extended, procedures to extend the My Number Card’s validity must be completed by the card’s expiration date. Note also that a My Number Card’s validity can be extended only until the tenth birthday after the card’s issue date (the fifth birthday for persons under 20); beyond that, reissuance of the card is required.

Documents required to renew My Number Card validity

Application form for change of validity period of Individual Number Card accompanying extension of period of stay (forms are available at each counter)

Currently valid My Number Card

The applicant’s residence card

Identity verification documents for the agent

Power of attorney and other documents confirming the agent’s authority

Procedures required to apply for My Number Card reissuance

If the My Number Card has expired, among other cases, a reissuance application is required.

Note also that a reissuance application cannot be filed by an agent.

A reissuance application also incurs a fee of 800 yen.

Required documents

Individual Number Card reissuance application form (available at the municipal office)

Expired My Number Card

Residence card

Facial photograph (4.5 cm high × 3.5 cm wide) (note) taken within the past six months

Cautions for foreign nationals handling My Number Cards

● When a foreign national returns to their home country, they must return the My Number Card at the competent municipal office. After recording the return on the card face, the municipal office gives the My Number Card back to the foreign national. This measure is in place because situations may arise—such as tax-related matters—in which My Number needs to be confirmed even after moving abroad.

● Special extension of the My Number Card validity period

Even if an extension of the period of stay cannot be completed in time, once an application has been filed with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, a special two-month period is granted on the residence card. In addition, the My Number Card’s validity can also be extended by a special two months. Note, however, that this procedure cannot be used if the My Number Card has already expired. The special period cannot be extended again, and after obtaining a new residence card you must always complete the validity renewal procedure again.

The following two items are required when applying for a special period extension.

My Number Card

Residence card stamped to show that an application to extend the period of stay is pending

Conclusion

This article has explained My Number, including how to obtain a My Number Card. For Specified Skilled Workers, explaining My Number during life orientation and similar sessions at the time of acceptance is recommended.

Life orientation is also required to last at least eight hours, so using that time to apply for a My Number Card is one practical option.

Although My Number Cards have become more common among Japanese nationals through point programs and similar incentives, very few foreign nationals currently hold one. Acquisition is expected to be promoted among the growing foreign population going forward, so we hope people will use life orientation and similar opportunities to obtain a card.