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Below is a systematic summary of the main problems with the My Number system.

Problems with the My Number System

1. Concerns About Personal Information Leakage and Privacy Infringement

Many people worry about personal information recorded on My Number Cards being leaked. The strong image of "centralized personal information" has led to persistent concerns about data breaches. Additionally, since the IC chip embedded in My Number Cards can be used by private companies, there is a risk that various personal information such as purchase history, facility usage records, and library borrowing history may be linked together. Furthermore, if My Number information is leaked due to human error or cyberattacks, not only are legal penalties possible, but there is also risk of loss of social credibility.

2. Risk of Fraud and Impersonation

There are concerns that fraud using another person's identification number could result in financial and other damages. The Public Fund Receipt Account Registration system began in fiscal 2022, allowing registration of accounts for receiving public funds such as subsidies, pensions, child allowances, and tax refunds via the My Portal, but some people are concerned about losses from card loss. Risks of counterfeiting and unauthorized use remain a concern, particularly when cards are used as insurance cards, as risks of unauthorized access and data leakage have been noted.

3. Information Linkage Errors and Human Mistakes

As My Cards were aggressively promoted, numerous problems arose in which information was linked with others', allowing unauthorized viewing of highly confidential medical information by unrelated parties. My Number linkage registration has been performed manually by municipalities and insurers, or through analog linkage methods without obtaining My Numbers. The main cause of health insurance certificate linkage errors was erroneous registration of different people with the same name. Of the 15.15 million cases subject to review, 1,069 linkage errors were identified.

4. Complex Password Management and Usability Issues

Electronic certificate passwords (PIN codes) embedded in My Number Cards include four types such as "user authentication" and "signature use," with five-year validity periods. Properly managing these represents a significant burden for users. In fact, special emergency payment procedures were plagued by forgotten passwords and input errors, causing major confusion.

5. Administrative System Inefficiency and Interoperability Defects

During the special fixed-rate cash payment application procedures for COVID-19 economic measures using My Number Cards, major confusion occurred due to incomplete systems and poor interoperability. Simply appending My Numbers to existing workflows in each municipality risks increasing work volume. Many municipalities find that checking documents is easier than information sharing, or information network systems are so inconvenient that paper processing cannot be replaced.

6. Legal Complexity and Increased Administrative Burden

Because the My Number Law is a special law covering four statutes (Personal Information Protection Law, Administrative Agency Personal Information Protection Law, Independent Administrative Institution Personal Information Protection Law, and Personal Information Protection Ordinances), the law itself has become overly complex and difficult to understand. It is extremely inefficient for each municipality to enact similar ordinances, and there is no denying a shortage of labor among staff involved.

7. Digital Divide (Information Gap) Issues

Online administration procedures risk preventing residents who cannot use digital technology from accessing necessary services. The digital divide is thought to expand various inequalities. When regional and age-related information gaps and differences in information technology utilization skills are added, income gaps and quality-of-life differences become even larger. Risk remains that elderly people and people with disabilities unfamiliar with digital devices may be left behind by the system.

8. Insufficient Public Awareness and Transparency

Although the government attempts to promote the system through promotional videos and other means, public understanding of the My Number system remains low. Government videos and public relations materials are criticized as abstract and lacking concrete detail, with some arguing they actually promote misunderstanding.

9. Dysfunction of Supervisory Agencies

A major problem is that the Personal Information Protection Commission, the supervising authority for the My Number system, is not sufficiently fulfilling its supervisory function.

10. Concerns About Limitless Expansion of Usage

The scope of My Number use has been expanded through repeated legislative amendments since the enactment of the My Number Law, extending beyond the initially limited fields of social security, taxation, and disaster response to private sector use. There is persistent concern that unrestricted expansion of usage scope could lead to state surveillance and information misuse.

Summary

Although the My Number system was introduced with the aim of improving administrative efficiency and enhancing citizen convenience, it faces multifaceted challenges including privacy infringement, information leakage, linkage errors, digital divide, legal system complexity, and supervisory system defects. To increase system credibility, strengthening security, ensuring transparency, supporting digital users, and establishing proper supervision mechanisms are essential.

The My Number system has several problems that have been pointed out.

1. Privacy Concerns: Since personal information is centrally managed, there are concerns about information leakage and unauthorized access.

2. Security Risks: Cyberattacks and other threats may increase the risk of information being leaked.

3. Operational Costs: Considerable costs are required for system maintenance and management, which raises questions about cost-effectiveness.

4. Expansion of Usage Scope: Although introduced with limited initial purposes, the scope of use has gradually expanded, raising concerns that information management becomes difficult.

5. Balance Between Convenience and Privacy: While convenience is enhanced through information consolidation, there are questions about the transparency of how much individuals actually benefit.

These issues are being addressed through system operation and improvements.

The My Number system has faced various problems from its initial implementation to the present day. The main problems are as follows.

1. Information Leakage and Security Concerns

• Among the general public, there are clear concerns and anxieties about personal information being leaked, privacy being violated, and individuals suffering damages through unauthorized use of My Numbers or personal information.
• In reality, numerous cases have been reported of fraudulent phone calls, emails, and postal items exploiting the My Number system to extract personal information, as well as phishing scams.
• Counterfeit My Number Cards have been misused in SIM swap and smartphone hijacking cases.
• There is concern that illegally obtained personal information may be sold on the dark web and misused for fraud.
• While strict penalties are provided under the My Number Law, some criticize the contradiction of having a system that requires regulation through punishment.

2. Operational Problems and Administrative Errors

• Numerous administrative processing errors have occurred at local governments, including photo misidentification during My Number Card creation, card misdistribution, and card loss or theft.
• Failures have also occurred in My Number Card-related systems, affecting electronic certificate issuance and convenience store exchange services.
• In particular, with My Number Card and health insurance certificate integration (My Number insurance certificate), troubles have proliferated including erroneous linkage of others' information and incorrect displays of medical expense burden ratios.
• Many medical institutions have experienced online eligibility confirmation system troubles, with reports of qualification information not being reflected promptly.
• My Number Card application and issuance operations have increased workload for municipal staff, and inevitable labor shortages have led to work personalization and challenges in responding to regulatory changes. Application support for elderly people unfamiliar with digital tools has also become an issue.

3. Low Citizen Convenience and Stalled Adoption

• Many citizens do not feel the need to acquire My Number Cards and have few opportunities to use them daily, with comments like "I just have it" or "I have no occasions to use it."
• Confusion about the difference between "My Number" and "My Number Card," complicated application procedures, and other factors hinder adoption.
• Public distrust in the My Number system remains high due to concerns about personal information leakage and misuse, with a high proportion responding that they do not trust the system.

4. Cost-Effectiveness and Burden on Companies and Organizations

• Strict management of documents and information bearing My Numbers is legally required, with deletion necessary after legal retention periods expire. This can disrupt conventional operations and requires considerable time and system modification costs, raising questions about cost-effectiveness.
• Companies must collect and manage employee My Number information and face stringent requirements and burdens including strengthened security measures and designation of handling personnel.

5. Concerns About Surveillance Society

• There are persistent concerns that the My Number system could lead to unified government management of personal information and the creation of a surveillance society.
• There is criticism that government objectives such as "fair and just society" and "improved citizen convenience" have not been achieved, yet the system has been altered and its usage scope expanded.
• Some point out the possibility that the system could be used for reducing social security benefits or increasing self-payment by citizens, depending on government policy.

These problem points significantly impact the My Number system's credibility, convenience, and public understanding and acceptance.

Main problems with the My Number System (and My Number Card) that have been pointed out include the following (based on information as of 2026).

1. Personal Information Leakage and Security Risks

• Information leakage accidents occur annually from administrative agencies and contractors. A past incident involved the leak of over 4 million records of tax information bearing My Numbers due to illegal subcontracting.
• Card loss, theft, and corporate leakage create risks of impersonation and misuse. Similar systems in the United States and South Korea have experienced large-scale leakage cases, and similar concerns remain strong in Japan.
• Anxieties about "surveillance society by the state" and privacy infringement persist, with opinions and petitions opposing system expansion being submitted.

2. Registration Errors and Linkage Problems

• Successive "registration errors" in 2023 (incorrect linkage of My Numbers to bank accounts, health insurance information, etc.) caused major confusion. Life-threatening risks have been noted, such as medical information errors, raising questions about the trustworthiness of digital administration.
• This has left residual distrust regarding the accuracy and operational system of the overall scheme.

3. System Troubles and Operational Defects

• With the transition to My Number insurance cards (using My Number Cards as insurance cards), card reading errors and system failures have occurred frequently (with some municipalities still reporting problems as of 2026).
• Trouble continues with expiration management (reissuance by 10th birthday after issuance, etc.), password forgetfulness, and card lockouts. A large-scale renewal rush is anticipated between 2025-2026, raising concerns about reduced convenience.

4. Convenience and Adoption Issues

• Card acquisition and renewal are burdensome, with confusion among elderly people in particular during applications and use. Criticism also exists regarding the apparent coercive nature of the approach toward complete transition away from conventional insurance certificates (targeted for late July 2026).
• Structural delays in digitalization and persistent perceptions that the card has low practical usefulness remain, with "still difficult to use" noted as of 2026.

5. Other Concerns

• Increased risks from private sector expansion (distributed information management).
• Petitions and opinions requesting system discontinuation and abolition exist, with voices calling for fundamental review.

These problems are noted primarily from security, accuracy, and convenience perspectives. Following the 2023 registration error troubles, these issues continue to be debated. While the government has implemented improvement measures, complete resolution had not been achieved as of 2026. Please verify the latest details through official information and trustworthy news sources.