Japan’s administrative infrastructure is undergoing its most significant overhaul in years — and much of it directly affects foreign residents. Two major system changes are rolling out in 2026: a new integrated identity card combining Residence Card and My Number functions, and a shift to My Number-based healthcare verification at hospitals and clinics. Neither requires urgent action today — but both will reshape how you interact with government services in Japan over the coming years.
What is Japan’s new integrated residence card?
Japan is rolling out the Tokutei Zairyu Card (特定在留カード制度 — Special Residence Card System) — a new card that merges the Residence Card (Zairyu Card) and the My Number Card into a single document. Currently foreign residents carry two separate cards: the Residence Card issued by immigration, and the My Number Card issued by the ward office. The new integrated card combines both, keeping immigration and city hall records aligned automatically.
- Rollout: Started 2026, phased introduction
- Currently optional — existing Residence Card and My Number Card remain valid
- Key benefit: Single card, fewer administrative updates when circumstances change
- Key risk: Losing it means losing both functions simultaneously
- Future direction: Expected to become the standard for all foreign residents over time
What is changing with healthcare and My Number in Japan?
This is the change with the most immediate practical impact for daily life. Japan’s healthcare system is transitioning from paper health insurance cards to My Number-based digital verification at clinics and hospitals. When you visit a doctor or hospital, you will increasingly be expected to scan your My Number card at a reception terminal to confirm your insurance eligibility and identity. The old paper health insurance cards are being phased out. Patients without a My Number card can use a temporary eligibility certificate (被保険者資格確認書) instead, but this requires additional administrative steps.
Bottom line for expats: If you do not have a My Number card yet, get one now. Hospital visits without it are becoming increasingly complicated.
How do I get a My Number card as a foreign resident?
- Visit your local ward office (kuyakusho) with your Residence Card and a passport-size photo
- The card is free of charge
- Processing takes approximately 2–4 weeks — you will receive a notification to collect it
- English assistance is available at most major ward offices in Tokyo
- Your My Number 12-digit individual number was assigned when you first registered as a resident — check your notification letter or ward office records
- Important: The My Number number and the My Number card are different things. You need the physical card for most verification purposes including hospital check-in
What is the dependent spouse insurance change from April 2026?
From April 2026, Japan changed how dependent spouse status under shakai hoken (employee social health insurance) is assessed. Previously, the judgment was based on actual income earned over the previous year. Now, expected income based on the work contract’s projected earnings is assessed earlier and more proactively. If your employment contract shows projected earnings above ¥1.3 million, you may be required to enroll in your own insurance earlier — even before actually reaching that income level. Expat spouses who work part-time near this threshold should review their contract’s projected income with their employer or HR department.
What should foreign residents do about My Number right now?
- If you do not have a My Number card: Apply at your ward office immediately. The transition to My Number-based systems is accelerating.
- If you have a My Number card: Check it is not expired and the registered address matches your current residence. Update at your ward office if you have moved.
- If you are a dependent spouse near ¥1.3M earnings: Check with your employer HR about how the April 2026 change affects your insurance status.
- If you use Japanese healthcare regularly: Register your My Number card with the national insurance database — available at convenience store My Number card terminals.
Navigating Japan’s admin systems with the right community
My Number, ward office procedures, insurance enrollment — these things are much less stressful when you know people who have already figured them out. TIFE’s 35,000+ members are your practical resource for expat life in Tokyo.
See TIFE Events →Japan My Number and Residence Card 2026 — quick reference
- New integrated card: Tokutei Zairyu Card — merges Residence Card and My Number Card. Optional in 2026.
- Healthcare check-in: Moving to My Number card scanning. Old paper insurance cards being phased out.
- Get your My Number card: Ward office, free, 2–4 weeks. Bring Residence Card and photo.
- No My Number card: Use eligibility certificate as temporary alternative at hospitals.
- Dependent spouse change: Insurance status now assessed on projected income not past actual income.
- ¥1.3M threshold: If contract projects earnings above this, dependent status may be removed earlier.
- Child support contribution: New monthly deduction from health insurance approx ¥575–767 per month.
Subscribe now and get news from us !
※Make sure to change the region of your Phone setting to Japan
