OFW Resource Hub

If you're living and working in Japan, one important thing you'll encounter is :

マイナンバー（My Number）

At first, it can sound confusing because people sometimes use “My Number” and “My Number Card” as if they're the same thing.

But they're actually different.

For OFWs, understanding the difference is important because My Number can be used in procedures involving taxes, social insurance, employment, healthcare, and government services.

1. What Is My Number?

My Number is a unique :

12-digit individual number

assigned to people who have a resident record（住民票 / Jūminhyō） in Japan.

This includes foreign nationals who are registered as residents in Japan.

My Number is mainly used in legally specified administrative procedures involving areas such as :

• Social security

• Taxes

• Disaster response

• Certain government procedures

It helps government agencies identify the same person accurately across different systems.

2. My Number and My Number Card Are Different

This is probably the most important thing to understand.

My Number

マイナンバー

This is your 12-digit individual number.

My Number Card

マイナンバーカード

This is a physical photo ID card containing your My Number and an IC chip.

So :

Number = your personal 12-digit number

Card = the physical ID card that can be used for identification and digital services

You can have a My Number even if you haven't applied for a My Number Card.

3. Do Foreign Residents Get a My Number?

Yes.

If you're a foreign national and you become registered as a resident in Japan, a My Number is assigned to you.

The municipality sends information about your assigned number to the address on your resident record.

So My Number isn't only for Japanese citizens.

OFWs and other foreign residents with a Jūminhyō can also have one.

4. Does Your My Number Change?

Normally, your My Number stays the same.

It is intended to identify you consistently across administrative procedures.

This means changing :

• Jobs

• Employers

• Apartments

• Cities

• Prefectures

doesn't normally mean getting a completely new My Number.

Keep your number secure because it's designed to remain associated with you.

5. What Is the My Number Card Used For?

The My Number Card is much more useful than simply showing your 12-digit number.

It can be used as an official form of photo identification and for various digital and administrative services.

Depending on the service and your registration, it may be used for :

• Identity verification

• Online government procedures

• Health insurance verification

• Obtaining certain certificates through convenience-store services

• Accessing MyNa Portal

• Electronic authentication

• Certain private-sector services

Availability depends on the particular service.

6. What Information Is on the Card?

The front of the My Number Card includes personal identifying information and your photo.

Your 12-digit My Number appears on the back of the card.

This is important because the My Number itself is more sensitive than ordinary information such as your name.

Don't casually send a photo of both sides of your card to someone unless there's a legitimate reason.

7. Is the My Number Card Mandatory?

Having a My Number itself isn't optional if you're assigned one as a registered resident.

But obtaining the physical My Number Card is a separate application process.

Even if you don't have the physical card, you may still have a My Number.

The card simply gives you access to additional identification and digital functions.

8. My Number and Health Insurance

This is now especially important.

A My Number Card can be registered for use as :

マイナ保険証（Maina Hokenshō）

My Number Card used as a health insurance card

Since December 2, 2025, the old conventional health insurance cards are no longer usable. Japan's healthcare system now generally uses either :

My Number Card registered for health insurance use

or

資格確認書（Shikaku Kakuninsho）

Eligibility Confirmation Certificate

for insured medical treatment.

9. What If You Don't Have a My Number Card?

You can still receive insured medical treatment.

People who:

Don't have a My Number Card

Haven't registered it for health insurance use

can receive a :

資格確認書（Shikaku Kakuninsho）

from their health insurer. This document can be shown at hospitals and pharmacies to confirm insurance eligibility.

So :

No My Number Card does not mean no healthcare.

10. My Number Card at Hospitals and Pharmacies

If your card is registered for health insurance use, participating hospitals and pharmacies can use it to confirm your insurance eligibility.

The online qualification system is now installed at almost all medical institutions and pharmacies, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

At reception, you may use a card reader and follow the instructions on screen.

11. What Is MyNa Portal?

You may also hear :

マイナポータル（MyNa Portal）

This is Japan's online government portal linked to My Number services.

Depending on the available functions, it can be used to access information and complete certain administrative procedures online.

The My Number Card's IC chip enables secure online identity verification.

12. What Is My Number Used for at Work?

Your employer may request your My Number for legitimate employment-related procedures.

Examples can include :

• Tax reporting

• Social insurance

• Employment-related government filings

That doesn't mean your employer can use it for any purpose they want.

My Number use is legally restricted to authorized purposes.

If someone asks for your My Number, it's reasonable to ask :

“What procedure is this for?”

13. My Number Is Used for Taxes

Your My Number may be required in certain tax procedures.

For example, it can be associated with :

• Employment tax documentation

• Income tax procedures

• Certain government forms

Your employer or tax authorities may request it when legally required.

This is one reason it's important to keep your My Number information available but secure.

14. My Number and Social Insurance

My Number can also be used in administrative processes involving social security.

This may include systems related to :

• Pension

• Health insurance

• Employment-related social insurance

It helps administrative agencies match your records correctly.

15. Do Not Confuse My Number With Your Residence Card Number

Your :

在留カード（Zairyū Card）

Residence Card

and

マイナンバー（My Number）

are not the same thing.

Your Residence Card is mainly connected to your immigration and residence status.

Your My Number is an individual number used in specified administrative systems such as tax and social security.

They serve different purposes.

16. Do Not Share Your My Number Carelessly

Treat your My Number as sensitive personal information.

Don't casually post it on :

• Facebook

• Messenger

• LINE groups

• Social media

• Public documents

• Photos online

And don't send a full photo of your My Number Card to strangers.

If an organization asks for it, verify that the request is legitimate and related to an authorized procedure.

17. Protect Your PINs Too

Your My Number Card may use PINs for electronic functions.

Don't share those PINs with :

• Friends

• Coworkers

• Strangers

• People calling unexpectedly

• Someone claiming they can “fix” your account

Government staff or legitimate organizations should not need you to hand over your PIN casually.

If someone pressures you to reveal it, stop and verify the request.

18. What If You Lose Your My Number Card?

If your card is lost or stolen, act quickly.

You should :

• Follow the official suspension procedure

• Report the loss when appropriate

• Apply for replacement

• Protect any other identification that may also have been lost

Don't simply wait several weeks hoping it appears.

The My Number Card functions as official identification, so treat it like an important ID.

19. What If You Move?

If you change address in Japan, complete the required address-registration procedures at your municipality.

Your My Number itself normally remains the same, but your My Number Card information may need to be updated as part of your move.

When completing move-in or move-out procedures, bring the card if instructed.

20. What If You Change Jobs?

Changing employers doesn't normally give you a new My Number.

Your new employer may request the same My Number for legitimate tax or social-insurance procedures.

You don't need to obtain a different My Number every time you change companies.

21. Does the My Number Card Expire?

Yes.

The My Number Card has expiration dates, including :

• The validity of the physical card

• The validity of the electronic certificates stored on the card

These can expire at different times.

For foreign residents, card validity can also be relevant to residence status and period of stay.

Check the expiry date and complete renewal procedures before necessary functions become unavailable.

22. Keep Your Information Updated

It's a good habit to make sure important information remains current when you :

• Move

• Renew your residence period

• Change personal details

• Renew your card

Outdated information can create unnecessary problems when using the card for government or digital services.

Useful Japanese Words

マイナンバー（My Number） – Individual Number

個人番号（Kojin Bangō） – Individual Number

マイナンバーカード（My Number Card） – My Number Card

住民票（Jūminhyō） – Residence Certificate / Resident Record

マイナ保険証（Maina Hokenshō） – My Number Card registered for health insurance use

資格確認書（Shikaku Kakuninsho） – Eligibility Confirmation Certificate

マイナポータル（Maina Pōtaru） – MyNa Portal

暗証番号（Anshō Bangō） – PIN

有効期限（Yūkō Kigen） – Expiration date

住所変更（Jūsho Henkō） – Address change

My Number Checklist for OFWs

• Know your 12-digit My Number.

• Understand that My Number and My Number Card are different.

• Keep your My Number private.

• Don't post photos showing your number online.

• Use your card only with legitimate organizations and services.

• Register it for health insurance use if you choose to use MyNa Hokenshō.

• Keep your PINs private.

• Update your card information when you move.

• Check the card and electronic-certificate expiration dates.

• Report a lost card promptly.

• Keep your Residence Card and My Number Card roles separate in your mind.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

If you remember only three things, remember these :

1. My Number is your 12-digit individual number.

It is assigned to registered residents, including eligible foreign residents.

2. My Number Card is the physical ID card.

It can be used for identification and various government and digital services.

3. Treat it like important personal information.

Don't send your number or card photos around casually.

Think of it this way :

My Number = important personal number

My Number Card = useful government ID and digital key

Japan's My Number system may feel complicated at first, but the basic idea is simple.

Your My Number is a unique 12-digit number used for specific administrative procedures such as taxes and social security.

Your My Number Card is the physical card that can also help with identity verification, digital government services, and—when registered—health insurance procedures.

For OFWs, understanding the difference can prevent confusion when dealing with employers, hospitals, banks, City Hall, and other government services.

Most importantly :

Keep your My Number secure, keep your card information updated, and only provide it when there is a legitimate reason.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa Japanese government systems, healthcare, work, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.