Japan's 'My Number' ID cards to serve as driver's licenses from March

Oct 30 (NHK) - People in Japan will be able to use "My Number" national identification cards as driver's licenses from next March.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government approved an ordinance to integrate driver's licenses with the My Number national ID system from March 24.

The government has been promoting digitalization of administrative procedures using the My Number system.

The revised Road Traffic Act enacted in 2022 allows people to register their driver's license information on their My Number cards.

The National Police Agency has been examining a new driver's license system that stores relevant information in My Number card IC chips.

The agency has solicited comments from the public since September.

My Number cards can function as driver's licenses if users register information including license number, expiration date, type of license, use of glasses or corrective lenses, and a face photo.

People can choose between a My Number driver's license and a conventional one. They can also use both, as driving overseas may require the regular one.

The fee for acquiring a new My Number driver's license will be 1,550 yen, or about 10 dollars. That's about 3 dollars lower than the regular license fee, which will go up to about 15 dollars.

Dust Storms Forecast To Hit Tokyo

Rain affected parts of Japan on Tuesday morning as a low-pressure system and front moved through, bringing heavier downpours in some areas. Skies are expected to clear across much of the country this afternoon. However, yellow sand drifting in from the Asian continent is forecast to spread over a wide area, raising concerns over reduced visibility and worsening health conditions.

Japan Gov't Warns of Possible Megaquake

Japan's weather agency and the Cabinet Office issued a 'Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory' after an earthquake measuring upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale struck off Sanriku.

New Shinkansen Reservation Service Lets Users Book in One Minute

JR East has launched a preview version of its new online Shinkansen booking platform, JRE GO, promising reservations in as little as one minute and easier handling of sudden schedule changes.

Bear Found in Bushes in Central Sendai Finally Culled

A bear that had remained in a residential area in central Sendai since early Sunday morning was euthanized last night in an emergency cull. No injuries were reported.

Father Admits Killing and Body Abandonment in Kyoto

Police investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found in a forest in Kyoto Prefecture believe his father moved the remains between several locations over a number of days in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Takaichi Cabinet Support Rebounds Above 70%

The approval rating for the cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rose 3.1 percentage points from March to 70.2%, recovering to the 70% range for the first time in two months, according to an FNN public opinion survey.

North Korea Fires Several Short-Range Ballistic Missiles

North Korea launched several missiles on Sunday morning, with reports suggesting they may have included a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM.

Australia Selects Japanese Warship

Australia has formally decided to jointly develop its next-generation frigate with Japan, marking a major step forward in defense cooperation between the two countries.

Japan to Release 50 Million Stockpiled Medical Gloves

Japan will release around 50 million stockpiled medical gloves from next month as concerns grow over shortages of medical supplies linked to tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

Japan Seeks Quick U.S.-Iran Deal

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held telephone talks on the night of April 15 with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, conveying Japan’s hopes for the resumption of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and for an early agreement.

Prime Minister Takaiichi Holds First Meeting With Polish Prime Minister Tusk

Prime Minister Takaiichi met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on April 15th, marking their first summit talks, where the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" amid growing global security tensions.

Remote Japanese Island Ready to Deploy Missile Unit

Yonaguni Town Mayor Tsuneo Uechi met Defense Minister Koizumi on April 13th and conveyed his intention to accept the deployment of a missile unit at the Yonaguni garrison, marking a shift in his previously neutral stance on the issue.

Deep Purple Pays Courtesy Visit to Japanese Prime Minister

Members of the globally renowned hard rock band Deep Purple paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 10th during their visit to Japan.

< 2 3 4 5 >