My Number Face Recognition at Clinics: What Happens | MyKyoten

As of January 2026, almost every clinic and hospital in Japan has installed these maina hokensho check-in terminals (マイナ保険証受付機). The government subsidized the rollout hard in 2024-2025, so even tiny neighborhood clinics have them now. They're usually boxy kiosks near the reception desk with a card reader slot, a camera at eye level, and a touchscreen.

Here's the deal: The old pink paper health insurance cards are gone. The terminals are designed to work only with your Residence Card (在留カード) (the merged residence/My Number card). If you show up without your card or refuse to use the terminal, you'll either get charged full price upfront (100% of the bill) or get sent to the manual reception desk where the staff will sigh heavily and spend 10 minutes inputting your info by hand.

Step 1: Find the terminal Walk into the clinic. Look for a machine that's about waist-height with a sign saying "マイナ保険証受付" or "本人確認" (identity verification). It'll usually have a card slot on top and a screen showing instructions in Japanese and (sometimes) English.

Step 2: Insert your Residence Card (在留カード) Slide your card face-up into the slot. The machine will beep and the screen will switch to a menu. If this is your first time using this specific clinic's terminal, it'll say something like "初回利用です" (first-time use).

Step 3: Set your 4-digit PIN (if you haven't already) If you haven't set a PIN for your card's health insurance function, the machine will prompt you to do it now. Enter 4 numbers. Write this down immediately. People forget their PIN within a week and then get stuck at the terminal looking stupid.

The vibe: The receptionist won't help you set your PIN-it's a privacy thing. You're on your own. If you mess up and enter the wrong PIN three times, the machine locks and you'll need to go to city hall to reset it (takes 30-60 minutes).

Step 4: Verify your face The camera at the top of the terminal will activate. A green box appears on screen showing your face. You need to:

The machine compares your live face to the photo stored in your My Number database (the one from your Residence Card (在留カード) application). If it matches, you'll hear a cheerful "ピンポン!" (ping-pong!) sound and the screen says "確認できました" (confirmed).

Step 5: Confirm your insurance details The screen shows your name, insurance type (national or company), and co-pay rate (usually 30%). Tap "確認" (confirm). Your card pops out. Done. The receptionist will call your name when the doctor's ready.

What If the Face Recognition Fails?

Look, this happens all the time. The scanner is picky about lighting, angle, and whether you've aged since your card photo was taken. If it fails, the screen will say "顔認証できませんでした" (face recognition failed) and give you two options:

If you fail face recognition and forget your PIN, you're screwed. The receptionist will make you fill out a paper form and charge you 100% upfront, then you'll file for reimbursement later at city hall.

[WARNING BOX] Do NOT let someone else insert their card and then stand in front of the camera for you (e.g., a parent checking in their kid using their own card). The system flags this as fraud and can freeze your health insurance account. Each person needs their own card, even children.

Yes (同意する): The clinic can see your prescription history, past diagnoses, and medication allergies from other hospitals. This is useful if you're unconscious in an emergency.

No (同意しない): The clinic only sees your basic insurance info. They won't know you're allergic to penicillin unless you tell them.

Most people tap "yes" without reading because the default button is highlighted. If you're privacy-conscious, deliberately choose "no." You can change this later through the MyNaPortal website.

Reality check: "The face-recognition terminal is Japan's attempt to look high-tech while still requiring you to carry a physical card, set a PIN, and stand perfectly still like it's a 1990s passport photo booth."

Here's a weird quirk: If you use the manual paper check-in instead of the terminal (because you forgot your card or refused to scan), some clinics charge an extra ¥10-30 administrative fee per visit. It's buried in the bill as "書面発行手数料" (paper issuance fee).

The terminal check-in is free. So if you're going to the doctor regularly (chronic condition, pregnancy check-ups, etc.), using the terminal saves you ¥100-300 per year. Not life-changing, but it adds up.

Also: Some clinics give a ¥20 discount if you use the terminal because it reduces their admin workload. Look for signs at reception saying "マイナ保険証利用で割引" (discount for using maina hokensho).

Children under 15 can't have their own Residence Card (在留カード) (they're dependents on their parent's insurance). So how do you check them in?

Option 1: Use the terminal with your card, then tell the receptionist you're here for your child. They'll manually add your kid's info.

Option 2: Some newer terminals have a "dependent check-in" option (被扶養者受付). Insert your card, tap this button, and enter your child's name and birthdate.

The vibe: Most clinics still default to option 1 because the dependent feature is buggy. Just scan your own card and let the receptionist handle the rest.

✅ Residence Card (在留カード) (don't leave home without it)

✅ A note with your 4-digit PIN (on your phone or written down)

✅ No mask or glasses on your face when approaching the terminal

✅ Cash (¥5,000-10,000, some small clinics still don't take cards)

2026 Reality Check: These Terminals Are Everywhere Now

The First-Time Setup Process (The Human Version)

Use PIN instead (暗証番号で確認) - Manually enter your 4-digit PIN to verify

Honestly, about 1 in 5 people end up using the PIN method because the face scanner is temperamental. It hates:

Significant weight changes since your card photo

The Catch: The Terminal Asks Weird Privacy Questions

Do you consent to sharing your medical history with this clinic?

, content: `Yes (同意する): The clinic can see your prescription history, past diagnoses, and medication allergies from other hospitals. This is useful if you're unconscious in an emergency.

No (同意しない): The clinic only sees your basic insurance info. They won't know you're allergic to penicillin unless you tell them.

The face-recognition terminal is Japan's attempt to look high-tech while still requiring you to carry a physical card, set a PIN, and stand perfectly still like it's a 1990s passport photo booth.

The Frugal Mindset: Using the Terminal Saves You Money (Sometimes)

Edge Case: What If I'm Bringing My Kid to the Doctor?

Your Action Checklist (Before Going to the Clinic)

The maina hokensho terminal is now the default check-in method at Japanese clinics. It's faster than manual reception if the face scanner works and if you remember your PIN. Expect the first use to feel clunky-setting your PIN, answering privacy questions, and figuring out where to look. After that, it's a 15-second routine: card in, face scan, card out, sit down. Just don't forget your PIN, or you're back to the old-school paper form line with everyone over 70.

Clinic face-recognition terminal (マイナ保険証)

Real-world device photo - Clinic face-recognition terminal (マイナ保険証)

On your first use, the terminal will ask: "Do you consent to sharing your medical history with this clinic?" (診療情報の共有に同意しますか?)