Residence Card vs My Number Card Japan: What Each Does | MyKyoten

When you arrive in Japan as a mid to long term resident, Immigration issues a Residence Card at major international airports such as Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, and New Chitose. The card shows your status of residence, period of stay, residence card number, and your photo and nationality. The back of the card is blank at first. Your address is added only after you register at city hall.

The Residence Card is not a tax card. It is not a health insurance card. It is not a digital identity card. It is an immigration status document used to prove your legal status and period of stay.

What Happens After You Register Your Address

Within 14 days of moving into your residence, you must register your address at your local city or ward office. After registration, you are assigned a My Number, which is a 12 digit personal number used for administrative procedures. You will receive an Individual Number Notice by mail at your registered address. This contains your My Number. Keep it.

My Number is the 12 digit number. The My Number Card is the optional plastic card that can be used for identity verification and online services. The My Number Card is issued by your municipality, not Immigration, and you do not receive it at the airport. You apply for it after you receive your Individual Number Notice.

The My Number Card can be used for online government services, online tax filing in some cases, MyNaPortal access, and printing official documents at convenience stores. It can also be used as a health insurance card if you activate the health insurance function.

Health Insurance and the Source of Confusion

Japan has encouraged residents to use the My Number Card as health insurance verification. This does not mean the Residence Card became a health insurance card. It means the My Number Card can be used to verify coverage at medical facilities. If you do not use the My Number Card for insurance, alternative documentation may still be issued depending on how you are enrolled.

Can You Live Without the My Number Card?

Yes. Many residents do not apply for the plastic My Number Card. Your employer may still request your My Number for payroll and tax purposes, but that is the number itself, not the card. Not having the card usually means fewer online options and more in person paperwork.

If you apply for the My Number Card, you will set PINs and passwords for digital services. If you forget them, you typically need to reset them at city hall. Write them down and store them securely.

There is no integrated foreign resident super card. The Residence Card proves your immigration status. The My Number system is managed by your municipality. You receive the Residence Card at the airport. You receive your My Number after registering your address. The My Number Card is optional, but useful if you want smoother digital access.

Residence Card and My Number Card explained

The Residence Card and My Number system are separate and serve different purposes.

People talk about "the card" as if there is only one. In Japan, there are two separate systems: the Residence Card and the My Number system. They are not merged, and they are issued by different authorities. Once you understand that, most confusion disappears.