Japan Health Insurance Card Abolished: My Number Card Required 2026 Guide

Japan Health Insurance Card Abolished: My Number Card Required 2026 Guide

Your old blue health insurance card is DEAD. From December 2025, Japan requires My Number Card for healthcare. Here is how to survive the change.

What Happened?

In December 2025, Japan officially retired the traditional health insurance card (健康保険証) — that blue or green paper card you show at clinics.

Now, you must use your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) to access healthcare.

The Timeline:

⚠️ Important: Your old card may still work at some clinics temporarily, but this is ending. Get your My Number Card NOW.

Japanese keyword: 健康保険証 廃止 / マイナ保険証 / マイナンバーカード 病院

Why This Affects Foreigners More

Japanese citizens grew up with the My Number system. For foreigners, this is a new burden.

Problems foreigners face:

The Reality:

• ❌ No My Number Card = difficult to see a doctor
• ❌ Emergency rooms may have issues verifying your insurance
• ❌ Some clinics turn away patients without My Number Card

⚠️ Yamada Hack: If you don't have My Number Card yet, apply TODAY. Processing takes 1-2 months. Don't wait until you get sick.

Japanese keyword: 外国人 マイナンバーカード / 外国人 健康保険証 廃止 どうする

Do You Have a My Number Card?

My Number ≠ My Number Card

Many foreigners are confused about this:

Check: Do you have the RIGHT card?

My Number Card looks like:

• Plastic card (like credit card size)
• Your photo on front
• Your name, address, birthdate
• IC chip inside
• Valid for 5 years (10 years for Japanese citizens)

NOT a My Number Card:

• Paper notification card
• Old residence card (different thing)
• Health insurance card (abolished)

Japanese keyword: マイナンバー通知カード 違い / マイナンバーカード 見分け方

How to Get My Number Card (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Check Your My Number

If you never received your 12-digit number:

• Visit City Hall (区役所/市役所) with Residence Card
• Request 住民票 with My Number included
• Cost: ¥300

Step 2: Apply for My Number Card

Option A: Online Application (Recommended)

Option B: At City Hall

Option C: By Mail

Step 3: Wait

• Processing time: 1-2 months
• You will receive a postcard when ready

Step 4: Pick Up Card

• Go to City Hall with postcard, Residence Card, passport
• Set your PIN codes (4 passwords needed)
• Receive your My Number Card

Japanese keyword: マイナンバーカード 申請方法 外国人 / マイナンバーカード 受け取り

Using My Number Card at Hospitals

What Changed at Clinics:

Before (Old System):

Now (New System):

The Machine (顔認証付きカードリーダー):

Most clinics now have a small machine near reception.

How to use it:

⚠️ Yamada Hack: The PIN you need is the "利用者証明用暗証番号" (4 digits). This is different from your main 6-digit PIN. If you forgot it, go to City Hall to reset BEFORE you need a doctor.

Japanese keyword: マイナ保険証 使い方 / カードリーダー 病院

What If You Don't Have My Number Card Yet?

Temporary Solution: 資格確認書

If you haven't received your My Number Card yet, you can get a temporary certificate.

資格確認書 (Shikaku Kakuninsho):

• Temporary paper document
• Proves your health insurance
• Valid until your My Number Card arrives
• Get it from your insurance provider

How to get it:

⚠️ Yamada Hack: The 資格確認書 is only temporary (3-6 months). It is NOT a permanent solution. Apply for My Number Card immediately.

Japanese keyword: 資格確認書 とは / 資格確認書 申請方法 / マイナンバーカード ない 病院

Common Problems for Foreigners

Problem 1: Name Mismatch

Your My Number Card name might not match your passport.

Example:

• Passport: MOHAMMAD RAHMAN
• My Number Card: モハマド　ラーマン

Some clinics get confused by this.

Solution: Bring passport to clinic as backup ID.

Problem 2: Card Reader Doesn't Work

Some machines have trouble with foreigner cards.

Solution:

• Ask staff for help
• They can manually enter your info
• Bring 資格確認書 as backup

Problem 3: PIN Forgotten

You need PIN to use the card at clinics.

Solution:

• Go to City Hall to reset PIN
• Bring My Number Card and Residence Card
• Takes about 10 minutes

Problem 4: Card Expired

Foreigner My Number Cards expire with your visa.

Solution:

• When you renew visa, also renew My Number Card
• Do both at the same time to avoid gaps

Japanese keyword: マイナンバーカード 外国人 トラブル / マイナンバーカード 暗証番号 忘れた

Health Insurance Types Explained

Understanding your insurance type helps when getting documents.

1. National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / Kokumin Kenko Hoken)

Who has this:

• Self-employed
• Part-time workers
• Students
• Unemployed

Where to manage: City Hall

Cost: Based on previous year income (¥15,000-¥80,000/month)

2. Company Insurance (社会保険 / Shakai Hoken)

Who has this:

• Full-time employees
• Part-timers working 30+ hours/week

Where to manage: Your company HR

Cost: Split with employer (~¥15,000-¥50,000/month your share)

3. National Health Insurance Association (協会けんぽ / Kyokai Kenpo)

Who has this:

• Employees of small/medium companies

Similar to Company Insurance

Japanese keyword: 国民健康保険 外国人 / 社会保険 違い

What About Emergency Situations?

If You Need Emergency Care Without My Number Card:

Hospitals cannot refuse emergency treatment.

What happens:

Documents needed for reimbursement:

• Receipt from hospital
• Claim form (from your insurance)
• Copy of My Number Card (or 資格確認書)

Where to claim:

• National Insurance → City Hall
• Company Insurance → Your employer HR

⚠️ Yamada Hack: For emergencies, you will get treated. But it costs MORE time and money without proper ID. Prevent this by having your My Number Card ready.

Japanese keyword: 救急 マイナンバーカード ない / 医療費 立て替え 返金

FAQ

Q: My old health insurance card still works at my clinic. Why?

A: Some clinics temporarily accept old cards during the transition. This is ending. Don't rely on it.

Q: I lost my My Number Card. What do I do?

A: Call suspension hotline immediately, then apply for reissue at City Hall. Get 資格確認書 as temporary solution.

Q: Can I use family member's insurance?

A: If you are a registered dependent, yes. You still need your own My Number Card to access it.

Q: My visa expires soon. Should I still get My Number Card?

A: Yes. My Number Card makes life easier for banking, taxes, and healthcare. Apply now.

Q: The clinic machine rejected my card. Am I uninsured?

A: No. Machine errors happen. Ask staff to check manually. Bring 資格確認書 as backup.

Action Checklist

If you DON'T have My Number Card:

• [ ] Apply online at kojinbango-card.go.jp TODAY
• [ ] Get 資格確認書 from City Hall as temporary backup
• [ ] Set calendar reminder to pick up card in 1-2 months

If you HAVE My Number Card:

• [ ] Practice using it at a clinic before you're sick
• [ ] Write down your 4-digit PIN somewhere safe
• [ ] Check expiry date matches your visa
• [ ] Take photo of card (front & back) for emergencies

When visiting doctor:

• [ ] Bring My Number Card
• [ ] Bring passport (backup for name verification)
• [ ] Know your 4-digit PIN
• [ ] Arrive 10 minutes early (machine might take time)

*Last updated: April 2026. Healthcare systems change. Confirm current requirements with your insurance provider or City Hall.*