The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) proposed Tuesday that the Japanese government make the acquisition of My Number cards mandatory for all citizens [1].
This shift toward compulsory ownership aims to standardize digital identity across the population. By establishing a universal infrastructure for identity verification, the government seeks to accelerate the distribution of benefit payments, and improve emergency response during natural disasters [1], [3].
Takuya Hirai, head of the LDP Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, said the identity verification function of the card could become a significant piece of infrastructure. He said the move to make the cards mandatory is intended to protect the public [1].
Despite the push for mandatory acquisition, the LDP indicated that no penalties would be established for those who do not obtain the card [2]. Hirai said that implementing the mandate would require amendments to relevant laws [4].
Data from April 2026 shows the adoption rate for the cards reached 82.7 percent [1]. This represents approximately 130 million cards in circulation [4].
The proposal was formalized as part of a policy recommendation titled "Digital Nippon 2026" [2], [3]. The LDP believes that universal adoption is necessary for the country to fully realize the benefits of a digital society [1], [3].
“"The identity verification function of the card could become a significant piece of infrastructure."”
The proposal reflects the Japanese government's struggle to reach 100 percent digital integration despite high adoption rates. By framing the mandate as a tool for disaster protection rather than a punitive measure, the LDP is attempting to bypass public resistance to government surveillance while still creating a legal framework for a fully digitized citizenry.
