Taro Kono on Digital ID
TL;DR
Taro Kono strongly advocates for the widespread adoption and modernization of the My Number digital identification card system.
Key Points
He served as the Minister for Digital Transformation from August 2022 until October 2024, focusing on digital reform initiatives.
The politician announced trials for a face-to-face verification app on August 1, 2024, to allow businesses to read the IC chip on My Number cards via smartphone.
During his tenure, he declared victory in the 'war' on floppy disks on June 28, 2024, after overseeing the phasing out of the requirement for that documentation.
Summary
Taro Kono, during his tenure as the Minister for Digital Transformation, was the central figure attempting to revive and expand the use of Japan's My Number identification card system. His core position supports this 12-digit national identification initiative, designed to streamline administrative tasks like taxation and social security, by integrating it with services such as health insurance cards and facilitating broader use in the private sector. He expressed pleasure when working with major technology companies to incorporate the My Number Card function into smartphones, aiming to build a world-leading, safe, and convenient digital society based on mobile technology.
Despite public backlash and numerous glitches in the system, including mistaken data linkages, Kono defended the My Number card and sought to push forward with its digitization goals. He embraced modern technological integration, announcing trials for face recognition check-in systems using the card's IC chip for stricter identity verification in private services. This push to digitize and modernize government services was also evidenced by his highly public campaign against outdated physical documentation, such as declaring war on floppy disks.
Key Quotes
“The Digital Agency will create a globally leading, safe, and convenient digital society based on smartphones.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Taro Kono is a strong proponent of digital identification in Japan, specifically championing the My Number card system. As the former Minister for Digital Transformation, he worked to expand its functionality and integrate it into daily life, including merging it with health insurance cards. He aims to build a world-leading, safe, and convenient digital society centered on smartphones.
Based on available information, Taro Kono has consistently advocated for the push towards a more digitized government and greater adoption of the My Number card since taking on the Digital Transformation portfolio. There is no indication of an evolution away from this strong positive stance; rather, his actions reflect a sustained effort to modernize identification methods. His efforts included lobbying for smartphone integration of the ID.
The former Digital Minister stated that he was very pleased to work with Apple to incorporate the My Number Card function into iPhones, viewing it as a bold initiative. He asserted that the Digital Agency would leverage this to build a world-leading, safe, and convenient digital society based on smartphones. This integration aims to allow citizens to present their official ID on their iOS device.
Sources10
Glitches in Japan's unpopular MyNumber digital ID cards draw a flood of complaints
Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Digital Transformation visited Finland, Sweden and Estonia
GovMesh Digest: How Japan transformed its Digital Agency through a product-led approach
Japan's First "Face Recognition" Check-in System Using Individual Number Card: A Landmark Initiative
Japan trials my number card app for stricter IDV following fraud incidents
Japan and Singapore Promote Digital Identity to Drive National Digital Development
Taro Kono - Wikipedia
Apple Plans First Overseas Launch of iPhone Digital ID - ID Tech
The digital ID revolution: states modernise citizen identification
My Number troubles are turning into a bigger headache for the government - The Japan Times
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.