How to Get My Number in Japan: Complete 2026 Guide for Expats
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Introduction: What Is My Number and Why Should You Care?
When I first moved to Japan, nobody warned me about the My Number system. I showed up at my local bank to open an account, and the staff politely asked for my “Mai Nanbā” — my what? I had no idea what they were talking about. Fast forward to 2026, and the My Number system has become so deeply integrated into daily life in Japan that you literally cannot function without it.
My Number (マイナンバー) is Japan’s individual identification number system, officially called the “Social Security and Tax Number System.” Think of it as Japan’s equivalent of a Social Security Number in the US or a National Insurance Number in the UK. Every resident of Japan — including foreign nationals — receives a unique 12-digit number that stays with you for life (or at least as long as you’re a registered resident).
In 2026, the My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) has become essentially mandatory for expats. You need it for opening bank accounts, filing taxes, accessing health insurance, setting up a smartphone contract, and increasingly for government services that have gone digital. The Japanese government has been aggressively pushing adoption, and as of 2026, many services that previously accepted alternative forms of ID now require the physical My Number Card.
Whether you’ve just arrived in Japan or you’ve been here a while and have been putting it off (no judgment — I procrastinated too), this guide walks you through everything you need to know about getting your My Number and your My Number Card. They’re actually two different things, and that distinction matters. Let me break it all down.
My Number vs. My Number Card: Understanding the Difference
This trips up almost every expat I talk to, so let me clarify right away. There are actually three things in play here:
1. My Number (the 12-digit number itself): This is automatically assigned to you when you register your address at your local ward or city office (市区町村役場). You don’t apply for this — it comes to you. Every registered resident gets one.
2. My Number Notification Card (通知カード): This was the paper card that was mailed to your registered address containing your 12-digit number. Japan stopped issuing these in May 2020, but if you received one before that date, it can still serve as proof of your number in some situations.
3. My Number Card (マイナンバーカード): This is the physical, plastic IC card with your photo on it. This is what you actually need to apply for, and this is what most people mean when they say “I need to get my My Number.” It serves as official photo ID, enables digital government services, and can be used for tax filing, as a health insurance card, and much more.
In 2026, when someone says “get My Number,” they almost always mean getting the physical My Number Card. So that’s what we’ll focus on — while also covering how to get your 12-digit number if you’ve just arrived.
Step 1: Register Your Address and Receive Your My Number
If you’ve just arrived in Japan, here’s the deal: within 14 days of moving into your residence, you’re legally required to register your address at your local ward office (区役所) or city/town hall (市役所/町役場). This is called “moving-in notification” (転入届).
When you complete this registration, you are automatically assigned a My Number. The office will either give you a document with your number on it right away or mail it to your registered address within a few weeks. This varies by municipality.
What to bring for address registration:
- Your passport (with landing permission stamp or visa sticker)
- Your Residence Card (在留カード) — you receive this at the airport if you have a qualifying visa
- The address of your residence in Japan (written in Japanese if possible)
- If applicable, documents showing your relationship to household members
Pro tip from experience: bring a Japanese-speaking friend or have the address of your apartment written down in Japanese. Many ward offices in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka have some English-speaking staff or multilingual forms, but smaller cities might not. If you’re still working on your language skills, check out our guide on the best language apps for learning Japanese to help you prepare.
Once your address is registered and you have your 12-digit My Number, you can proceed to apply for the actual My Number Card.
Step 2: Apply for Your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード)
There are four ways to apply for your My Number Card in 2026. I’ll walk through each one:
Method 1: Online Application (Recommended)
This is the easiest method and the one I recommend. You’ll need the QR code or application ID that came with your My Number notification. Go to the official My Number Card application website (kojinbango-card.go.jp) and follow these steps:
- Access the online application portal
- Enter your application ID or scan the QR code
- Upload a photo (facial photo, white background, taken within 6 months)
- Fill in your email address and basic information
- Submit the application
Method 2: Smartphone Application
Essentially the same as the online method, but you use a dedicated smartphone app or scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to access the application form. Convenient if your phone takes good ID photos.
Method 3: Mail Application
Fill out the paper application form that came with your notification, attach a photo, and mail it using the included pre-paid envelope. This is slower but works if you’re not comfortable with the digital process.
Method 4: Apply in Person at Your Ward Office
Many municipalities now offer in-person application support. You walk in, they take your photo, and help you complete the application on the spot. This is great if you’ve lost your notification documents or if you want help navigating the process. Call ahead to confirm availability and whether you need an appointment.
Photo Requirements
Your photo must meet specific requirements — this is where a lot of applications get rejected:
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Size: 3.5cm × 4.5cm (for paper applications) or at least 480×640 pixels (for digital)
- Plain white or light background
- Facing forward, no hats or sunglasses
- Head should take up 70-80% of the frame
I recommend getting your photo taken at a photo booth (証明写真機 — “shōmei shashinki”), which you’ll find at most train stations, convenience stores, and shopping centers. They have a specific setting for My Number Card photos. You can also find portable white photo backdrops if you prefer to take photos at home.
Step 3: Pick Up Your My Number Card
After applying, it typically takes 3-8 weeks for your card to be ready (though some areas are faster in 2026 thanks to increased processing capacity). Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll receive a postcard (交付通知書) at your registered address informing you that your card is ready for pickup
- Make an appointment at your designated ward/city office (some offices accept walk-ins, but appointments are strongly recommended)
- Go to the office with the required documents
What to bring for pickup:
- The postcard/notification you received
- Your Residence Card (在留カード)
- Your Notification Card (通知カード), if you have one — they’ll collect it
- A valid form of photo ID (your Residence Card works)
At pickup, you’ll be asked to set up several PINs:
- Signature digital certificate password: 6-16 alphanumeric characters
- User authentication digital certificate password: 4-digit number
- Resident record certificate password: 4-digit number
- Individual number certificate password: 4-digit number
Write these down somewhere secure. If you forget them, you’ll need to go back to the ward office to reset them. I keep mine in a dedicated password organizer along with all my other Japan-related login information. Trust me, you accumulate a lot of PINs and passwords living here.
What You’ll Need Your My Number Card For in 2026
Let me be real with you — in 2026, your My Number Card touches almost everything:
- Banking: Required for opening bank accounts and certain transactions. If you’re still setting up your finances, check out our Wise Japan review for managing international transfers alongside your Japanese accounts.
- Taxes: E-tax filing, year-end adjustments, claiming deductions
- Health Insurance: The My Number Card now functions as your health insurance card at most medical facilities
- Government Services: Accessing マイナポータル (My Number Portal) for various administrative procedures online
- Phone Contracts: Many carriers accept or require it as ID
- Convenience Store Services: Print official documents (住民票, tax certificates, etc.) at convenience store multi-function printers
- Point Programs: Mynaportal can link to various government benefits and point programs
If you need a SIM card or phone setup before your My Number Card arrives, check out our Japan SIM card guide for options that work with just your Residence Card.
Recommended Tools and Products for the Process
Based on my experience and the experiences of expat friends, here are some items that make the My Number process (and general Japan bureaucracy) much smoother:
Document Organizer for Japan Paperwork
Japan is still very paper-heavy despite digitization efforts. You’ll accumulate ward office receipts, tax documents, pension paperwork, and notification cards. A good accordion-style document organizer is essential.
Pros:
- Keeps all your Japanese bureaucratic documents in one place
- Easy to grab when you need to visit the ward office
- Prevents the “where did I put that notification card” panic
Cons:
- Doesn’t help with digital document management
- Can get bulky over time
Card Protector / RFID Sleeve
Your My Number Card contains an IC chip with sensitive personal information. I strongly recommend an RFID-blocking card sleeve to protect it. Unlike your Residence Card, you don’t carry your My Number Card everywhere — but when you do carry it, you want it protected.
Pros:
- Protects the IC chip from skimming and damage
- Slim enough to fit in your wallet
- Inexpensive peace of mind
Cons:
- You need to remove the card from the sleeve to use it at readers
Japanese-English Dictionary App or Translation Device
Ward offices can be intimidating if your Japanese is limited. Having a portable translation device or a good translation app on your phone can be a lifesaver during the pickup appointment when staff explain the PIN setup process.
Pros:
- Real-time translation during face-to-face interactions
- Useful far beyond just the My Number appointment
- Some devices work offline
Cons:
- Dedicated devices can be pricey
- Machine translation isn’t perfect for bureaucratic terminology
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
After helping dozens of expat friends through this process, here are the most common issues and their solutions:
Problem: “I never received my My Number notification”
Solution: This usually happens because the notification was sent before you registered your current address, or it was returned as undeliverable. Go to your ward office with your Residence Card and ask for your My Number. They can look it up and help you start the application process for the card.
Problem: “My photo was rejected”
Solution: Use a photo booth with the specific 証明写真 (ID photo) setting. Avoid selfies. Make sure the background is completely plain and light-colored. Remove glasses if they have tinted lenses or thick frames that obscure your eyes.
Problem: “I forgot my PINs”
Solution: Visit your ward office with your My Number Card and Residence Card. You can reset your PINs in person. You can’t do this online — it must be done at the counter. Some offices require an appointment for PIN resets.
Problem: “I changed my address — what happens to my My Number Card?”
Solution: When you file your change-of-address notification (転居届 or 転入届) at your new ward/city office, bring your My Number Card. They’ll update the address on the card’s IC chip and may put a sticker with the new address on the back. Your 12-digit number stays the same.
Problem: “My visa/Residence Card was renewed — do I need a new My Number Card?”
Solution: No, but you need to update the information on your My Number Card. Visit your ward office after your visa renewal to have the new visa status and expiry date updated on the card.
Buying Guide: How to Prepare Before Applying
Here’s a practical checklist to make your My Number Card application as smooth as possible:
- Register your address first: Nothing happens until you do this. If you just arrived, make this your Day 1 priority.
- Secure your notification documents: When you receive any paperwork with your My Number on it, store it safely immediately. You’ll need the application ID or QR code.
- Get a proper ID photo: Budget ¥800-1,000 for a photo booth session. It’s worth doing it right the first time rather than having your application returned.
- Prepare your PINs in advance: Decide on your four PINs before your pickup appointment. Write them down. The staff will wait while you set them, and it’s awkward trying to think of passwords under pressure.
- Block out time for pickup: Ward offices are typically open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Some offer extended hours or weekend pickups — check your municipality’s website. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes at the counter.
- Bring a Japanese speaker if possible: While many ward offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities have some multilingual support, having a Japanese-speaking friend can speed things up enormously.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a My Number Card in Japan in 2026?
From application to pickup, expect 3-8 weeks depending on your municipality. Urban areas like Tokyo’s 23 wards have streamlined the process and sometimes process applications in as little as 2-3 weeks. Rural areas may take longer. The application itself takes about 10-15 minutes online, and the pickup appointment takes 30-60 minutes.
Can I apply for a My Number Card if I’m on a short-term visitor visa?
No. My Number is only assigned to residents who register an address in Japan, which requires a residence status (visa) of more than 3 months. Tourist visa holders and short-term visitors are not eligible. You need to be a registered resident with a valid Residence Card (在留カード).
Is it safe to share my My Number with employers and banks?
Yes, it’s required in certain situations. Your employer needs your My Number for tax and social insurance purposes — this is legally mandated. Banks and financial institutions also require it for tax reporting. However, you should never share your My Number casually or post it online. Businesses are legally required to protect your number and can face penalties for mishandling it. When sharing the number, ask yourself: “Is this entity legally required to collect it?” If yes, it’s safe.
What happens to my My Number if I leave Japan and come back later?
If you deregister your address when leaving Japan (転出届), your My Number Card becomes invalid. However, your 12-digit number itself is retained in the system. If you return to Japan and re-register as a resident, you’ll receive the same 12-digit number, but you’ll need to apply for a new My Number Card. This is another reason to keep your number recorded somewhere safe, even after you leave.
Can I use my My Number Card as a substitute for my Residence Card?
No, they serve different purposes. Your Residence Card (在留カード) proves your visa status and is the primary ID you should carry with you at all times — legally, you’re required to carry it. Your My Number Card is used for tax, social security, and administrative purposes. Some services accept the My Number Card as photo ID, but it does not replace your Residence Card for immigration-related matters.