My Number Card, a unique 12-digit number sent to all residents with a resident card, is in a quagmire. Troubles have continued, and public distrust is growing. Even so, the government is promoting a “minor health insurance card” that integrates the My Number card and the health insurance card. We have not changed our policy of abolishing health insurance cards in the fall of next year. This is an abuse of public power. It is natural for such criticism to come out, although it is forced to do something that the public dislikes.

I can understand the purpose of my number card. In Japan, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging, streamlining administrative work and simplifying procedures will benefit both the people and the country. The question is how to proceed. Because they blindly incorporate various functions and try to popularize them all at once, troubles occur one after another. It would be a good idea to spread the basic functions first and then gradually add functions. From that point of view, the abolishment of health insurance cards next fall should be shelved. It is unreasonable to include only functions and try to spread it by force while it is not popular.

With the health insurance card abolished next fall, the criticism of the My Number Card is likely to intensify. At present, the public’s criticism of the government is a little more powerful because for many people, the My Number card is out of their interest and is viewed as a personal matter. However, as the fall of next year approaches and people begin to take it personally, the wave of criticism is bound to rise sharply. If things go on like this, the government will see a shambles.

Radical opinions are already starting to emerge. Some say, “This is to strengthen the government’s surveillance of the people.
If the government pushes forward recklessly in the midst of troubles, in addition to radical opinions, some citizens may take radical actions. My number card is required. In the long run, the benefits are great. If that’s the case, I think it would be better to spread it gently, even if it takes a certain amount of time. (Kei Kitajima)