The My Number system, under which the government will assign a 12-digit identification number to every resident of Japan in hopes of increasing administrative efficiency in taxation, social welfare and disaster relief, will start in January. As the government prepares to roll out the system, concerns linger over the risk that the ID numbers will leak, which could result in invasions of privacy and financial damage. The government must do its utmost to protect every participant's personal information so that citizens' anxiety will be eradicated.

The system will cover not only Japanese but foreign residents as well. In mid-October, municipalities will start sending registered mail to each household containing a notification card carrying the ID number, name, address, date of birth and sex of each family member. People can obtain an IC card bearing their photograph for free if they send in the proper form with their picture.

The system operates under a law enacted in 2013. From the beginning of next year, the government will use the system for administrative work by linking information related to individuals' taxation, social welfare and disaster relief with their ID numbers. Under a revision to the law passed by the Diet last month, financial institutions will be able to link bank account numbers with account holders' My Numbers starting in 2018, provided the customers give consent. The government hopes to make the linking of bank account numbers and My Numbers obligatory from 2021.