From December 2, 2024, the Japanese government will stop issuing traditional health insurance cards, transitioning entirely to the use of the My Number Card as a health insurance card. This multi-purpose card, referred to as the My Number Health Insurance Card, integrates health insurance and various government service functionalities.
Introduced in 2016, the My Number Card serves as official identification card for identity verification purpose and grants access to a broad range of government services in Japan. It is issued to all Japanese nationals and medium- to long-term foreign residents staying in Japan for over three months. This integration of health insurance into the My Number Card further enhances its importance. This alert highlights the key procedures and considerations for transitioning to the My Number card, which will be essential for managing foreign employees in Japan.
1) Transition to the My Number Health Insurance Card (My Na Hokensho): Key Timelines and Procedures
From December 2, 2024, conventional health insurance cards will no longer be issued. However existing health insurance cards will remain valid until their expiry date, but no later than December 1, 2025.
Individuals who have not obtained a My Number Card or have not registered to use the My Number Health Insurance Card will be issued an Eligibility Confirmation Certificate from their medical insurer. This certificate can be presented at medical institutions to access insured medical care. However, the Japanese government recommends transitioning to the My Number Health Insurance Card to simplify future procedures.
For foreign nationals, the transition process depends on the individual’s timing of arrival in Japan and the type of medical insurance they are enrolled in, as outlined below.
| Timing of Arrival in Japan | Type of Medical Insurance | Transition Process |
| Residents with medium-to-long-term status who arrived in Japan before December 1, 2024 | Employment-based health insurance | Existing health insurance cards will remain valid until December 1, 2025. From December 2, 2025, it will be mandatory to use either the My Number Card Health Insurance Card or the Eligibility Confirmation Certificate (資格確認書) issued by your insurer.*Note: If there is a change in insurance eligibility, such as a job change before December 2, 2025, individuals must transition to either the My Number Health Insurance Card or the Eligibility Confirmation Certificate. |
| National Health Insurance | Current health insurance cards can be used until their expiration, typically around July or August 2025. After expiration, a transition to the My Number Health Insurance Card or the Eligibility Confirmation Certificate is required. | |
| Residents with medium- to long-term status entering Japan on or after December 2, 2024 | Upon entering Japan, apply for a My Number Card during or after completing resident registration. Ensure that the My Number Card is registered for use as a health insurance card, or use the Eligibility Confirmation Certificate provided by the insurer. | |
Employers are advised to guide employees through the application and registration processes to ensure compliance with these updated requirements.
2) My Number Card Validity and Renewal Requirements for Foreign Residents
The validity period of a foreign resident’s My Number Card depends on their visa type. Updates to a visa’s expiry date, such as after a visa extension, are not automatically reflected on the My Number Card. Therefore, once a visa extension or new period of stay is granted, foreign residents must visit their local municipal office before the card expires to update its validity. If this step is not completed, the card will expire (and will impact usage, including health insurance, if registered for health insurance use), requiring the resident to reapply for a new card.
| Visa Type | My Number Card Validity |
| Permanent Resident, Highly Skilled Professional (ii), Special Permanent Resident |
|
| Others (e.g. Engineer/ Specialist in Humanities/ International Services, Intra-Company Transferee, Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional (i), etc.) | Valid until the expiry date of the residence card. |
3) Special Measures for My Number Card Validity During Residency Renewal
If a residence extension or status change application is under review, a special measure under the Immigration Control Act allows foreign residents to remain in Japan under their current status until the review is completed or up to two months from the visa’s expiration date, whichever is sooner.
However, this grace period does not apply automatically to the My Number Card. To continue using the card, residents must complete a “Validity Extension Procedure” at their local city or ward office before their visa expires. This procedure extends the My Number Card’s validity for up to two months.
If the extension procedure is not completed, the card will become invalid, requiring reissuance (with associated fees). This step is essential for maintaining uninterrupted access to services linked to the My Number Card.
4) Updates to Social Insurance Procedures
From December 2, 2024, a new section will be added to the Notification of Acquisition of Insured Status and Dependent Change Notification forms submitted by the employers to social insurance offices and pension offices.
The forms will include a section titled “Need to issue an Eligibility Confirmation Certificate or not”. If the certificate is required, employers must check the “□ Issuance Necessary” box on the form. Based on this information, the Eligibility Confirmation Certificate will be issued.
This certificate is particularly important for foreign employees and their dependents who do not have a My Number Card upon entering Japan and cannot use the My Number Card, as it serves as proof of health insurance coverage and ensures access to insured medical treatment.
The My Number Card is becoming essential for health insurance in Japan as traditional health insurance cards will be phased out by December 2, 2024, with existing cards valid only until Dec 1, 2025. While obtaining the card itself is not legally mandatory, it is strongly encouraged to avoid inconvenience.
Medium- to long-term residents must manage My Number Card renewals separately from Residence Cards renewals, requesting temporary extensions if necessary.
Employers are expected to guide employees in adapting to the changes, including arranging Eligibility Confirmation Certificate for new foreign residents to ensure access to insured healthcare before receiving their My Number Cards.
The Japanese government is promoting the widespread use of the My Number Card, including new integrations:
The Vialto Partners Japan Team offers comprehensive support services for immigration, social insurance, and tax matters. If you have any questions about the new system or require assistance with procedures for foreign nationals, please feel free to reach out to the Japan team at Vialto Partners.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Noriyuki Tominaga
Partner
Jia Ee
Director
Ryo Uehara
Director
Wakana Tachikawa
Senior Manager
Atsuko Yamamoto
Manager
Saeko Ichimi
Senior Associate
Zoila Mundell
Associate
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