Japan Sets October 20 Launch Target for My Number Card in Google Wallet

Japan’s Digital Agency has set October 20 as the planned launch date for My Number Card on Android, allowing holders of the government-issued identity card to store a digital version in Google Wallet for in-person identity, age and residency checks.

The agency says the release will extend the functions already available through Android’s electronic-certificate service. The date remains a launch target while final testing continues, and the agency says it could change if additional checks are needed.

Android users can already use electronic certificates to access Mynaportal, the government’s online services portal, and view information about medicines, medical expenses and pensions. Existing functions also support online tax filings and moving-related applications, as well as obtaining copies of residence records and seal-registration certificates through convenience-store services.

The new release adds attribute certification, allowing information associated with the My Number credential to be checked in face-to-face interactions. The agency says this will support identity confirmation, age checks and confirmation of residency across government and private-sector services after launch.

Organizations accepting the Android credential will need a compatible way to read it. The Digital Agency offers a free My Number Card face-to-face verification application that can be downloaded to support those checks. Acceptance therefore depends on a service provider being equipped to read the phone-based credential.

The credential will be available on Android devices containing security chips that meet the agency’s requirements. The agency plans to publish details of supported devices and those requirements by October 20. Google Wallet is the credential’s storage and presentation environment, while the government defines the identity functions and supported usage.

The Android expansion follows Japan’s consolidation of its identity portal and authentication apps. The government integrated functions from the separate My Number authentication application into Mynaportal, reducing the number of apps needed for participating online identity processes.

Physical My Number Cards also remain part of identity checking in other sectors. NTT Docomo introduced IC-chip verification across its Japanese stores for procedures including mobile contracts and SIM reissues. The Digital Agency’s new Android release concerns the phone-based credential’s additional in-person functions, complementing the electronic-certificate services already used for online government transactions.

Sources: Japan Digital Agency

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team