Japan Online Government Services and E-Gov Guide for Foreigners

Navigating Japanese bureaucracy can feel overwhelming — especially when much of it is in Japanese. The good news is that Japan has made significant strides in digitizing its government services, and many procedures that once required multiple trips to city halls are now available online. This guide walks you through Japan's major online government portals, how to use them as a foreign resident, and what the upcoming digital changes mean for you.

Whether you are a new arrival, a long-term expat, or someone planning to extend your stay, understanding Japan's e-government ecosystem will save you time and reduce paperwork headaches. From the e-Gov portal to Mynaportal, and the revolutionary My Number Card system, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is Japan's e-Gov Portal?

The e-Gov portal (e-gov.go.jp) is Japan's official online government gateway, managed by the Digital Agency. It serves as a centralized hub linking to hundreds of government services and information resources across all ministries and agencies.

The portal organizes services into clear categories based on visitor needs:

• Travel and Immigration — visa applications, border procedures
• Business — company registration, permits, licenses
• Living — residence registration, tax filing, social insurance
• Scientific Research — grants, academic programs
• Maritime and Transportation — driver's license, vehicle registration
• About Government — ministry information, public comment forms

The portal is available in both Japanese and English, making it accessible to foreign residents. While some linked services may only be in Japanese, the main portal provides a useful starting point for finding the right ministry or department.

Key Government Websites to Bookmark:

| Portal | URL | Purpose | |---||---||---| | e-Gov Portal | e-gov.go.jp/en | Government services hub | | Mynaportal | myna.go.jp | Personal data & online procedures | | My Number Card | kojinbango-card.go.jp/en | Card application & info | | Digital Agency | digital.go.jp/en | Digital services & policies | | JapanGov | japan.go.jp | Government overview for foreigners | | Visit Japan Web | vjw-lp.digital.go.jp | Entry procedures online |

For a broader overview of navigating paperwork in Japan, see Japanese Paperwork and Documents Navigation Guide on Living in Nihon.

Understanding the My Number Card: Your Key to Online Services

The My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) is a plastic IC chip card that serves as both a photo ID and a digital certificate for online government procedures. It contains your unique 12-digit Individual Number assigned by the Japanese government.

!Understanding the My Number Card: Your Key to Online Services - illustration for Japan Online Government Services and E-Gov Guide

Who Can Get a My Number Card?

Any person registered in Japan's Basic Resident Register can apply — this includes foreign nationals staying more than three months who have completed address registration at their local municipal office.

Eligibility criteria:

• Completed resident registration (住民登録) at your city or ward office
• Have a valid residence in Japan
• Staying for 3 months or longer (mid to long-term residents)

Note: Receiving your My Number notice card (番号通知カード) by post does NOT automatically give you a My Number Card. You must actively apply for the physical IC card.

How to Apply for a My Number Card

1. Receive the Individual Number Card Application Form — sent by registered mail after resident registration, or download from the official website
2. Choose your application method:

- Smartphone (scan the QR code on the form) - Computer (apply at the official website) - Postal mail - Photo booth (at select convenience stores and post offices)

1. Wait 3-4 weeks for processing
2. Receive a pickup notification by postcard
3. Visit your local municipal office with your notification, photo ID, and notification card to pick up your card

Required documents for pickup:

• Notification postcard
• Current photo ID (passport or residence card)
• Individual Number notification card (if you have it)

What Can You Do With the My Number Card Online?

Having a My Number Card unlocks a wide range of online government procedures:

• File income tax returns through the e-Tax system
• Apply for child benefits (児童手当)
• Handle residence procedures when moving
• Register and use as a health insurance card (mandatory integration as of December 2024)
• Check your pension records online
• Apply online for changes to residence status and visa extensions

For information about visa-related procedures, see the Japan Visa and Residence Status Guide at For Work in Japan.

Mynaportal: Your Personal Government Dashboard

Mynaportal (myna.go.jp) is the Japanese government's personal online portal that links to your My Number and stores your administrative data. Think of it as a secure dashboard connecting you with multiple government agencies.

What You Can Do on Mynaportal

| Feature | Description | |---||---| | Personal Info Check | View your registered name, address, tax info | | Medical Records | Check prescription history and medical visit records | | Pension Statements | View your pension contribution history | | Moving Procedures | Submit change-of-address notifications online | | Child Benefits | Apply and check payment status | | Tax Filing | Link to e-Tax for income tax submissions | | Insurance Card | Register My Number Card as health insurance card | | Information Exchange Log | See when agencies have accessed your data |

How to Log In to Mynaportal

To access Mynaportal, you need:

1. A My Number Card with an activated electronic certificate
2. A compatible smartphone (with NFC function) or a IC card reader connected to your computer
3. Your 4-digit PIN for the user certificate

Download the official Mynaportal app from the App Store or Google Play and follow the in-app instructions to scan your card and set up access.

Tip: If you forgot your PIN, visit your local municipal office with your My Number Card to reset it.

The Digital Revolution: My Number Card + Residence Card Integration

One of the most significant changes affecting foreign residents is the planned integration of the Residence Card (在留カード) and the My Number Card into a single card.

!The Digital Revolution: My Number Card + Residence Card Integration - illustration for Japan Online Government Services and E-Gov Guide

What Is the Tokutei Zairyu Card?

The Tokutei Zairyu Card (特定在留カード / Special Residence Card) combines the functions of both:

• Your Residence Card — proving legal residency status
• Your My Number Card — enabling digital ID and online procedures

This integrated card is scheduled to launch on June 14, 2026, with rollout continuing through 2025 and beyond.

What This Means for Foreign Residents

• Fewer cards to carry — one card serves both purposes
• Expanded access to online government services for foreign residents
• Simplified renewal procedures when your residence status changes
• Potential for more services to become available digitally for non-citizens

If you currently hold both cards, check the Digital Agency's website for the latest transition timeline and whether you need to take any action.

My Number Card as Driver's License

Since March 24, 2025, Japan allows residents to use their My Number Card as a digital driver's license. This eliminates the need to carry a separate physical license for most purposes, although the physical card is still issued for international use cases.

For a complete breakdown of daily life services and documentation needs, visit our Daily Life in Japan Guide for Foreigners.

Visit Japan Web: Digital Entry Procedures

For those entering Japan, the Visit Japan Web (VJW) service allows you to complete entry-related paperwork digitally before arriving.

What Visit Japan Web Offers

| Service | Details | |---||---| | Disembarkation Card | Fill in digitally instead of paper form on the plane | | Customs Declaration | Submit customs form electronically | | Quarantine Procedures | Upload vaccination certificates or test results | | QR Code Generation | Generate a code to scan at the airport |

The system supports multiple languages — a key advantage over the paper forms which are limited to Japanese, English, and Chinese.

How to use Visit Japan Web:

1. Register at the VJW website (services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web)
2. Enter your passport and travel information
3. Complete the required forms
4. Save your QR codes
5. Present QR codes at airport checkpoints on arrival

Visit Japan Web is optional for most travelers but significantly speeds up entry processing.

Online Tax Filing: e-Tax System

Japan's e-Tax system allows residents to file their income tax returns (確定申告) entirely online without visiting a tax office. This is particularly useful for:

• Self-employed individuals and freelancers
• Those with income from multiple sources
• Foreign residents who need to file final returns

Filing Your Taxes Online

1. Prepare your income and deduction documents (源泉徴収票, receipts)
2. Access the National Tax Agency's online portal (nta.go.jp)
3. Log in using your My Number Card or ID/password
4. Use the guided form wizard to enter your income details
5. Submit electronically and save your receipt number

Tax returns must typically be submitted between February 16 and March 15 each year for income earned the previous year.

For comprehensive tax guidance for foreigners, see our Taxes in Japan Guide for Foreigners.

Convenience Store Government Services

Even without a computer, Japan offers government services at convenience stores (コンビニ交付) for My Number Card holders.

What You Can Print at Convenience Stores

| Document | Notes | |---||---| | Resident Certificate (住民票) | Various stores nationwide | | Seal Registration Certificate (印鑑証明書) | Where you have a registered seal | | Tax Payment Certificate (課税証明書) | Municipal tax records | | Health Insurance Certificate | Depending on your plan |

Available at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and Mini Stop with a Multi-Copy machine. The service operates 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM (may vary), and documents typically cost ¥100-¥200.

This service is invaluable when you need official documents outside of city hall hours or want to avoid long queues.

Online Procedures for Residence Status and Visa

Foreign residents can also handle immigration-related procedures online through the Immigration Services Agency's online application system.

What Can Be Done Online

• Extension of period of stay
• Change of residence status
• Permanent residence application (partial online submission)
• Notification of workplace or address changes

You will need a My Number Card with electronic certificate enabled, or you can use a registered user ID and password through the immigration e-Service.

Important: Some procedures still require an in-person visit or mailing of physical documents. Always confirm requirements on the official Immigration Services Agency website before attempting online submission.

For complete visa guidance, visit our Japan Visa and Immigration Guide.

Practical Tips for Using Japanese Online Government Services

Navigating Japan's digital government landscape as a foreigner can still present challenges. Here are practical tips to make the process smoother:

Before you start:

• Ensure your My Number Card's electronic certificate has not expired (valid for 5 years; renew at your municipal office)
• Download the Mynaportal app and test the NFC card reading function
• Have your PIN numbers ready (signing PIN: 6-16 alphanumeric characters; user PIN: 4 digits)

Language support:

• Many portals have English versions — look for language toggles at the top of the page
• The official My Number Card English hotline is: 0120-0178-27 (free, available in multiple languages)
• Some municipal offices have multilingual staff or interpretation services

When to go in person:

• PIN resets
• Card renewal
• Initial address registration
• Documents requiring an original signature or seal

Useful apps:

• Mynaportal app (official government app)
• Visit Japan Web (for entry procedures)
• e-Tax app (for tax filing)

For guidance on healthcare online procedures and National Health Insurance, see our Healthcare in Japan Guide for Foreigners.

Additional Resources for Foreigners

Japan has several organizations dedicated to helping foreign residents navigate administrative processes:

• JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) — visitor information
• Immigration Services Agency — immi-moj.go.jp — visa and residency matters
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) — business registration support
• Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Services — in-person help in major cities

For comprehensive guidance on IT jobs and workplace procedures in Japan, Ittenshoku offers resources on career transitions and working life in Japan.

For more on adapting to Japanese bureaucracy and daily life as an expat, explore our Moving to Japan Guide and the full Daily Life in Japan Guide.

For official e-Gov information, visit Japan's e-Gov Portal and the Digital Agency's Mynumber page for the latest updates on card integration and digital services.