Amid questions over Japan’s cybersecurity, just how safe is the My Number system?

As of the end of October, 84.6% of Japan’s population had signed up for the My Number system — representing a total of over 104 million cards. | Getty Images

Nov 10, 2026

With companies reporting new data breaches almost daily in recent weeks — exposing millions of customers’ personal records in some cases — concerns are growing over whether it is only a matter of time before information held under Japan’s My Number system is compromised.

The system uses a 12-digit number as a digital ID for residents, while the My Number card provides access to a range of government services involving highly sensitive personal information, including tax, pensions, medical history and family registry records.

The Digital Agency maintains that the system is secure because data is decentralized and stored across multiple locations, including local governments and businesses. This, it says, prevents attackers from gaining access to a broad range of personal information in a single breach, as might be possible in a centralized system. The system also complies with an internationally recognized security standard.

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