Japan's Board of Audit found that the MyNumber Point program lacked documentation on budget spending and formal verification of its effectiveness [1].

The findings highlight a significant gap in fiscal accountability for one of the government's largest digital transformation efforts. Because the program utilized massive amounts of taxpayer money, auditors said that expenditures must be traceable and impact verified to ensure proper governance [1, 2].

The MyNumber Point program was a five-year initiative that ended in fiscal year 2023, designed to promote the adoption of MyNumber cards and the use of cashless payments [2]. The total budget invested in the program was approximately ¥1.4 trillion [1]. Some reports cite the detailed spending amount as about ¥1.39 trillion plus [2].

A primary concern for the Board of Audit involves publicity expenses. The audit revealed that ¥211 billion spent on promoting the program lacked proper documentation [1]. This absence of records makes it difficult for the state to determine if the funds were used efficiently, or if the spending achieved its intended goals.

Despite the administrative failures, the program saw significant participation. The usage rate for the points was over 94 percent [1]. Additionally, the initiative contributed to a surge in card adoption, with more than 60 million new MyNumber card applications [1].

The Board of Audit said that the lack of a formal impact assessment means the government cannot definitively prove the program's success relative to its cost. The agency said that large public expenditures require a transparent trail of evidence to justify the use of public funds [1, 2].

“The audit found that the MyNumber Point program lacked documentation on how the budget was spent.”

The audit reveals a tension between the Japanese government's drive for rapid digitalization and its commitment to fiscal transparency. While the MyNumber Point program succeeded in its raw metrics—driving millions of card applications and high point redemption—the failure to document ¥211 billion in spending suggests a 'growth at all costs' approach. This may lead to stricter oversight of future digital subsidies and a requirement for more rigorous cost-benefit analyses before the rollout of national tech initiatives.