Japan to Integrate National ID "My Number Card" into iPhone

― What Does the "Japan Model" at the Forefront of Digital ID Show the World?

1. News Overview: June 24, the Day "My Number Card" Becomes Usable on iPhone

The Digital Agency will officially offer a new feature called "My Number Card on iPhone" from June 24, 2025, allowing the registration of the My Number Card (hereafter referred to as "My Number Card") in Apple Wallet. This will enable login to My Portal, issuance of convenience store certificates, face-to-face identity verification from July, and use of the My Number insurance card starting in September, all with just Face ID/Touch ID.  

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2. Positioning Amidst Global Digital ID Trends

• In the United States, more states are expanding the inclusion of driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet (such as Arizona, Maryland, Ohio, etc.)  

• The EUis conducting a large-scale pilot of the "EU Digital Identity Wallet" under eIDAS 2.0 by 2025, with a goal for 80% of citizens to be able to use it by 2030.  

Japan isone of the world's first cases to officially implement a national ID into Apple Wallet, and the rapid move to the "practical operation phase" in public-private cooperation stands out in international comparison.

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3. Highlights of the "Japan Model" from an International Perspective

Perspective	Why It Resonates with Overseas Readers
Government × Big Tech Collaboration Model	The design that integrates the national ID into Apple's closed ecosystem while allowing usage suspension from the "Find My" app serves as a reference for other governments.
Mobile Completion of Public Services	The one-stop capability to complete tasks such as moving, pension checks, and medical expense viewing solely on iPhone via My Portal is a showcase of administrative digital transformation.
Phased Launch Strategy	The roadmap that gradually expands use cases from login and certificate acquisition → face-to-face identity verification in July → insurance card in the fall is a good example of risk reduction.

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4. Privacy & Security Discussions

In the United States, there is a debate about the risk of device seizure when presenting a mobile ID, and there is a strong recommendation to use it in conjunction with a physical card.

The Japanese version

1. 24-hour toll-free suspension in case of device loss

2. Remote deactivation via Apple's "Find My"

   A double safety net is provided. This implementation is also of interest to privacy experts overseas.

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5. Background and Aims of Japan's Administrative DX

Reduction of card renewal costs: Suppressing costs for issuing plastic cards and installing readers

Increasing utilization rate: Boosting the My Number Card, which is struggling with a 73% issuance rate as of the end of 2024, by leveraging the popularity of the iPhone

Collaboration with medical DX: Supporting the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's demonstration aiming to unify health insurance cards ahead of schedule

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6. Impact on Business and Travelers

• Simplification of age and identity verification (KYC) in stores: With the release of the "Face-to-Face Verification App" in July, customer experience in the financial, car rental, and hotel industries will improve.

• Benefits for foreign residents in Japan: If mid- to long-term residents obtain a My Number Card, waiting times for opening accounts and administrative procedures will be reduced.

• Tourists are excludedHowever, as an "international standardization model," it is highly likely to become a subject of inspection by governments and companies from various countries.

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7. Future Challenges

1. Functional differences with the Android version: The current Android version is limited to electronic certificates. Expansion is needed to include card surface information.

2. International Interoperability: Verification of compatibility with EU Wallet and mDL standards (ISO 18013-5).

3. Digital Divide: Discussion on the "abolition period of physical cards" is essential as a measure to prevent leaving behind the elderly and non-smartphone users.

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8. Conclusion: The "Next Standard" Opened by Apple Wallet × National ID

Japan's "iPhone My Number Card" not only serves as a domestic service but also provides strong implications to policymakers and the tech industry worldwide as a **"pioneering model for integrating government ID into standard smartphone functions."**

Key points for overseas readers to note are,

• Collaborative Design Between Government and Big Tech

• Balancing Advanced Privacy Protection and UX

• Phased and Practical Implementation Strategy

  These three points.

This advanced example from Japan will provide hints for solving the challenges faced by U.S. state governments and the EU Digital ID Wallet, and will accelerate discussions towards **"global standardization of digital IDs."**

 Reference Links

1. Digital Agency "iPhone My Number Card" Information Page

2. Keitai Watch "iPhone My Number Card to Start on June 24"

3. Keitai Watch "What Can You Do with 'iPhone My Number Card'?"

4. Apple Official Support "Present your driver’s license from Apple Wallet"

5. EU Digital Identity Wallet Pilot Introduction

6. Biometric Update "Japan Opens National ID to Integration with Digital Wallets"

7. The Verge "Don’t Ever Hand Your Phone to the Cops"