Japan officially phased out traditional health insurance cards on Tuesday, completing the switch to the My Number ID system. The transition integrates health insurance functions into the government-issued identification cards, aiming to streamline healthcare services and medical record access.
Despite the official expiration, existing insurance cards remain valid at medical facilities until the end of March 2026. Officials said this grace period prevents confusion while holders continue paying the usual 10 to 30 percent of medical costs. People without My Number cards can still receive insured care by showing proof of health insurance enrollment.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare highlighted that the new system allows medical institutions to more efficiently access patients’ health records and prescription histories. However, public adoption remains uneven. Since its introduction in 2016, the My Number ID system faced personal data leaks and registration errors, resulting in trust issues. Consequently, adoption rates remain below 40 percent.
Approximately 78 million health insurance cards linked to workplace enrollment expired on Monday. These cards stopped being issued on December 2, 2024, but a one-year grace period allowed continued use. Additionally, about 70 percent of cards under the National Health Insurance program, which covers the self-employed and unemployed, expired at the end of July. The remaining cards lapsed by Monday, completing the transition.
As of October 2025, 87.3 million people, or 88 percent of My Number card holders, had registered their cards as their health insurance card. However, only 37.1 percent of registered users have actively used their My Number ID for healthcare purposes. Experts note that low usage may reflect lingering public skepticism.
Government officials emphasized that the My Number ID system will improve healthcare efficiency. They plan to expand its usage gradually, encouraging patients and institutions to adopt the digital identification system. Analysts suggest increased awareness campaigns and technical support could boost adoption rates in the coming months.
Looking forward, authorities aim to integrate more medical services with the My Number ID system, including electronic prescriptions and insurance claim processing. The government believes these improvements will enhance convenience for patients while strengthening administrative efficiency.
The full transition to the My Number ID system represents a significant step toward digitizing Japan’s healthcare infrastructure. Officials stress that continued public engagement and system reliability will determine the long-term success of the initiative.
